Odd Question - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Odd Question

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
tiwaztyrsfist
May 26, 2008 15:44:32 So, many of the classic 'tools of magic' are generally considered to be 'phallic symbols'.

Wands, Staffs, Rods, Athame (a Dagger), things like that are all 'phallic objects.'

I've been thinking, what would the opposite be? If you wanted a Magic tool that was an exemplar of the Feminine principle, rather than the masculine, what would it be?

All I've come up with so far is a Chalice or Grail.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks.
#2
pogminky
May 26, 2008 15:54:01 Something triangular, perhaps.

I'm sure you could google some RL examples....
#3
pigknight
May 26, 2008 17:20:51 A dagger sheath, female clothes, a cat, can't think of anything else.

Also, get your mind out of the gutter or put this in the magic section.
#4
Shiftkitty
May 29, 2008 14:53:09 In witchcraft and other pagan traditions, the chalice, cauldron, or other container vessel is a feminine symbol, as is the mirror. Anything displaying three faces is sometimes seen as womanhood in her three manifestations: maiden, mother, crone. Water is a feminine symbol in some cultures. You could also look up various types of wood. Oak and ash are masculine woods. I think birch is a feminine wood, but I'm not sure. This is important because the component parts can override the item itself. A staff might be a masculine phallic symbol, but if it's made of "feminine" materials, it becomes a symbol of feminine strength and power, such as a woman who can hold her own in a man's domain. Norse and Celtic traditions should give you a wealth of information.
#5
elondir
May 29, 2008 15:02:50 Crystal balls. A sheath of any kind. An inverted triangle pendant. Earrings. Circlets and headbands.

When you draw a woman, never use straight lines unless you want to "masculinize" her. Therefore I would suggest looking for roundish things.

Also, fiction often uses caves as symbolism for you know what.
#6
pigknight
May 29, 2008 18:36:52 Crystal balls are masculine and you know it.
#7
strand0
May 31, 2008 5:53:57 Statute
Necklace
Clothing

Ring?

Bell, book, and candle combination.
#8
tiwaztyrsfist
May 31, 2008 20:12:13 Okay, I think I have some ideas now.

Thanks.
#9
pigknight
Aug 16, 2009 10:55:10
#10
idhriniel
Aug 16, 2009 11:58:30
Crystal balls are masculine and you know it.

:heehee
#11
EscherEnigma
Aug 16, 2009 13:43:36
Why the hell does everything have to be a symbol of something... almost always pertaining to sex?
Why can't things simply be?

Well, they certainly can be, but some people like looking for symbolism, especially if there's some form or ritual involved. To many it adds a layer of complexity and meaning to something, as the items involved transcend their mundane utility and take on meaning of their own.

It can turn a simple dagger used in a ritual into a symbol of life or death, or some other concept. And for some people that adds meaning to the entire thing. Just as a quick example (really don't want to start a discussion) I know some Christian religions have that whole "blood and body of Christ" thing going on. The bread and wine takes on symbolic significance that changes the meaning of the whole thing.

Looking for symbolism in other places is the same thing... looking for more meaning, more significance.

Doesn't mean you have to buy into it personally (for example I'm probably never going to treat the whole "the sword is a [male genitalia]/cross" with anything other then a bemused look), but there's nothing inherently wrong with someone else looking for symbolism either.
#12
pigknight
Aug 16, 2009 14:13:36 What's an ivory tower stand for? ;)
#13
EscherEnigma
Aug 16, 2009 14:25:28 Sorry, the CoC prohibits me from answering that question.
#14
idhriniel
Aug 16, 2009 14:29:18 ...i wont answer that, PK.
#15
tiwaztyrsfist
Aug 16, 2009 15:05:33
Why the hell does everything have to be a symbol of something... almost always pertaining to sex?
Why can't things simply be?

When I see a wand or staff, I don't suddenly go, "wow! Look at the size of that thing! I sure would like to see it angry!"

Hey, sometimes a cigar IS just a cigar.

But sometimes it's your subconscious telling you you'd be much happier with another man.

Also, Three cheers for thread necromancy.
Pig-Knight, this was done with 15 months ago... Why you do this?
#16
pigknight
Aug 16, 2009 15:09:39 I found it hilarious.
#17
calronmoonflower
Aug 16, 2009 19:27:15 How about shaping an orb to look like an egg.

Why the hell does everything have to be a symbol of something... almost always pertaining to sex?

Because Freud Was Right.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 tiwaztyrsfist May 26, 2008 15:44:32	So, many of the classic 'tools of magic' are generally considered to be 'phallic symbols'. Wands, Staffs, Rods, Athame (a Dagger), things like that are all 'phallic objects.' I've been thinking, what would the opposite be? If you wanted a Magic tool that was an exemplar of the Feminine principle, rather than the masculine, what would it be? All I've come up with so far is a Chalice or Grail. Anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks.
#2 pogminky May 26, 2008 15:54:01	Something triangular, perhaps. I'm sure you could google some RL examples....
#3 pigknight May 26, 2008 17:20:51	A dagger sheath, female clothes, a cat, can't think of anything else. Also, get your mind out of the gutter or put this in the magic section.
#4 Shiftkitty May 29, 2008 14:53:09	In witchcraft and other pagan traditions, the chalice, cauldron, or other container vessel is a feminine symbol, as is the mirror. Anything displaying three faces is sometimes seen as womanhood in her three manifestations: maiden, mother, crone. Water is a feminine symbol in some cultures. You could also look up various types of wood. Oak and ash are masculine woods. I think birch is a feminine wood, but I'm not sure. This is important because the component parts can override the item itself. A staff might be a masculine phallic symbol, but if it's made of "feminine" materials, it becomes a symbol of feminine strength and power, such as a woman who can hold her own in a man's domain. Norse and Celtic traditions should give you a wealth of information.
#5 elondir May 29, 2008 15:02:50	Crystal balls. A sheath of any kind. An inverted triangle pendant. Earrings. Circlets and headbands. When you draw a woman, never use straight lines unless you want to "masculinize" her. Therefore I would suggest looking for roundish things. Also, fiction often uses caves as symbolism for you know what.
#6 pigknight May 29, 2008 18:36:52	Crystal balls are masculine and you know it.
#7 strand0 May 31, 2008 5:53:57	Statute Necklace Clothing Ring? Bell, book, and candle combination.
#8 tiwaztyrsfist May 31, 2008 20:12:13	Okay, I think I have some ideas now. Thanks.
#9 pigknight Aug 16, 2009 10:55:10
#10 idhriniel Aug 16, 2009 11:58:30	Crystal balls are masculine and you know it. :heehee
#11 EscherEnigma Aug 16, 2009 13:43:36	Why the hell does everything have to be a symbol of something... almost always pertaining to sex? Why can't things simply be? Well, they certainly can be, but some people like looking for symbolism, especially if there's some form or ritual involved. To many it adds a layer of complexity and meaning to something, as the items involved transcend their mundane utility and take on meaning of their own. It can turn a simple dagger used in a ritual into a symbol of life or death, or some other concept. And for some people that adds meaning to the entire thing. Just as a quick example (really don't want to start a discussion) I know some Christian religions have that whole "blood and body of Christ" thing going on. The bread and wine takes on symbolic significance that changes the meaning of the whole thing. Looking for symbolism in other places is the same thing... looking for more meaning, more significance. Doesn't mean you have to buy into it personally (for example I'm probably never going to treat the whole "the sword is a [male genitalia]/cross" with anything other then a bemused look), but there's nothing inherently wrong with someone else looking for symbolism either.
#12 pigknight Aug 16, 2009 14:13:36	What's an ivory tower stand for? ;)
#13 EscherEnigma Aug 16, 2009 14:25:28	Sorry, the CoC prohibits me from answering that question.
#14 idhriniel Aug 16, 2009 14:29:18	...i wont answer that, PK.
#15 tiwaztyrsfist Aug 16, 2009 15:05:33	Why the hell does everything have to be a symbol of something... almost always pertaining to sex? Why can't things simply be? When I see a wand or staff, I don't suddenly go, "wow! Look at the size of that thing! I sure would like to see it angry!" Hey, sometimes a cigar IS just a cigar. But sometimes it's your subconscious telling you you'd be much happier with another man. Also, Three cheers for thread necromancy. Pig-Knight, this was done with 15 months ago... Why you do this?
#16 pigknight Aug 16, 2009 15:09:39	I found it hilarious.
#17 calronmoonflower Aug 16, 2009 19:27:15	How about shaping an orb to look like an egg. Why the hell does everything have to be a symbol of something... almost always pertaining to sex? Because Freud Was Right.