As will be presently shown, we have evidence from a number of sources to
show that sex was at one time frankly and openly worshipped by the primitive
races of mankind. This worship has been shown to be so general and so
widespread, that it is to be regarded as part of the general evolution of
the human mind; it seems to be indigenous with the race, rather than an
isolated or exceptional circumstance.
The American Cyclopedia, under Phallic worship, reads as follows "In early
ages the sexual emblems were adored as most sacred objects, and in the
several polytheistic systems the act or principle of which the phallus was
the type was represented by a deity to whom it was consecrated: in Egypt by
Khem, in India by Siva, in Assyria by Vul, in primitive Greece by Pan, and
later by Priapus, in Italy by Mutinus or Priapus, among the Teutonic and
Scandinavian nations by Fricco, and in Spain by Hortanes. Phallic monuments
and sculptured emblems are found in all parts of the world."
Rawlinson, in his history of Ancient Egypt, gives us the following
description of Khem: "A full Egyptian idea of Khem can scarcely be
presented to the modern reader, on account of the grossness of the forms
under which it was exhibited. Some modern Egyptologists endeavor to excuse
or palliate this grossness; but it seems scarcely possible that it should
not have been accompanied by indelicacy of thought or that it should have
failed to exercise a corrupting influence on life and morals. Khem, no
doubt, represented to the initiated merely the generative power in nature,
or that strange law by which living organisms, animal and vegetable, are
enabled to reproduce their like. But who shall say in what exact light he
presented himself to the vulgar, who had continually before their eyes the
indecent figures under which the painters and sculptors portrayed him? As
impure ideas and revolting practices clustered around the worship of Pan in
Greece and later Rome, so it is more than probable that in the worship of
Khem in Egypt were connected similar excesses. Besides his priapic or
"Ithyphallic" form, Khem's character was marked by the assignment to him of
the goat as his symbol, and by his ordinary title Ka-mutf, "The Bull of his
Mother," i.e., of nature."
This paragraph clearly indicates that the sexual organs were worshipped
under the form of Khem by the Egyptians. The writer, however, has fallen
into a very common error in giving us to understand that this was a degraded
form of worship; from numerous other sources it is readily shown that such
is not the case.
The following lines, from "Ancient Sex Worship," substantiate the above
remarks, and at the same time, they show the incompleteness of the writings
of many antiquarians. In this book we read: "Phallic emblems abounded at
Heliopolis and Syria and many other places, even in to modern times. The
following unfolds marvelous proof to our point. A brother physician, writing
to Dr. Inman, says: 'I was in Egypt last winter (1865-66), and there
certainly are numerous figures of gods and kings on the walls of the temple
at Thebes, depicted with the male genital erect. The great temple at Karnac
is, in particular, full of such figures and the temple of Danclesa,
likewise, although that is of much later date, and built merely in imitation
of old Egyptian art.' " The writer further states that this shows how
completely English Egyptologists have suppressed a portion of the facts in
the histories which they have given to the world. With all our descriptions
of the wonderful temple of Karnac, it is remarkable that all mention of its
association with sex worship should be omitted by many writers.
A number of travellers in Africa, even in comparatively modern times, have
observed evidences of sex worship among the primitive races of that
continent. Captain Burton[1] speaks of this custom with the Dahome tribe
Small gods of clay are made in priapic attitudes before which the natives
worship. The god is often made as if contemplating its sexual organs.
Another traveler, a clergyman,[2] has described the same worship in this
tribe. He has observed idols in priapic attitudes, rudely carved in wood,
and others made of clay. On the lower Congo the same worship is described,
where both male and female figures with disproportionate genital organs are
used for purposes of worship. Phallic symbols and other offerings are made
to these simple deities.
[1] Quoted by H. M. Westropp, Primitive Symbolism
[2] J. W. Wood. The uncivilized Races.
Definite examples of the sexual act having religious significance may be
cited. Richard Payne Knight[3] quotes a passage from Captain Cook's voyages
to one of the Southern Pacific Islands. The Missionaries of the expedition
on this occasion assembled the members of the party for religious ceremonies
in which the natives joined. The primitive natives observed the ceremony
with great respect and then with due solemnity enacted their form of sacred
worship. Quite to the astonishment of the white people, this ceremony
consisted of the open performance of the sexual act by a young Indian man
and woman. This was entirely a religious ceremony, and was fittingly
respected by all the natives present.
[3] The symbolical language of ancient art and mythology.
Hargrave Jennings[4] describes the same custom in India. An Indian woman of
designated caste and vocation is selected. Many incantations and strange
rites are gone through. A circle, or "Vacant Enchanted Place" is rendered
pure by certain rites and sprinkled with wine. Then secret charms are
whispered three times in the woman's ear. The sexual act is then
consummated, and the whole procedure before the altar is distinctly a form
of sacrifice and worship.
[4] The Roseicrucians.
Hoddar M. Westropp in "Primitive Symbolism" has indicated the countries in
which sex worship has existed. He gives numerous instances in ancient
Egypt, Assyria, Greece and Rome. In India, as well as in China and Japan,
it forms the basis of early religions. This worship is described among the
early races of Greece, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, and among the Mexicans and
Peruvians of America as well. In Borneo, Tasmania, and Australia phallic
emblems have been found. Many other localities have been mentioned by this
writer and one seems fairly justified in concluding that sex worship is
regularly found at one time in the development of primitive races. We shall
now pass to another form of this same worship, namely, sacred prostitution.