Just a theory on personifications of Deity

[goDez]

I was thinking.. And I thought like, hmm, how would my god/goddess look like?

And quickly came to realise that it's useless to give looks towards Deity, since this look is always influenced by the general view that community imposed on me. Like; for the goddess, would she be tall, skinny, thick, short, would she have big breasts, wouldn't she. You would just go and create somekind of superhuman that follows the current social standard. Which is, imo, a bad thing.

The same goes for the god, ofcourse.

Following from the above: SHOULD we even address a view to our Deity, and why? Wouldn't it be a false image anyhow, and is not the meaning they have for us way more important then the way they look?

If you go about this in a polytheistic view.. Different gods have been prescribed different looks and been drawn by different artists throughout time. Do looks add anything significant?

One could reply with: Yes, they add a personal view of how one looks at his Deity and makes it easier to communicate with.
I would reply: Ok... But this view isn't real. Although it's perfectly clear that one might be able to communicate better talking to a picture/drawing..

Does anyone have views on this subject?

[semi]

I don't care what they look like. I have images of deities on the spaces I have set up for them but I don't think "THAT is what he/she/it looks like." Each image is just one way that the deity can manifest. For example, in Ifa there is the river Orisha called Oshun. On her space I have a bottle of river water because that is what she looks like sometimes, the river. There is also a golden statue of an African woman with a container of water because sometimes she looks like that, too. They look like many things and nothing at all. Doesn't matter to me.

[Earthy]

I don't try to personalise god/desses because for me,it takes away their power and humanises them too much.Hey,but that's just me.

[Gede]

MM~
When I am praying, invoking or even just thinking of the God and the Goddess I see them through the images that are naturally displayed to me and have at most times remained consistent, and yet often change as the Wheel of the Year turns, as is to be expected. It helps me relate to the energies and helps me feel on common ground with them, and yet I know that the God and Goddess are beyond whatever fixture I put on them and yet in the moment of that pure spiritual sense I know that is how I can easily relate and call on them and their power.

Namaste, Gede...

[aida]

I don't care what they look like. I have images of deities on the spaces I have set up for them but I don't think "THAT is what he/she/it looks like." Each image is just one way that the deity can manifest.

Agreed. I don't think theres any particular way that they look like, they can show many different faces to us. But what ever works is fine, I think, they don't mind :D

[goDez]

Nice views all! I just had another thought. Since we all have some deity inside of us, doesn't Deity have unlimited kinds of way she looks like; that is, the way of every human or plant? Does this then make it correct to worship self because it is inside of ourselves just as well? Or should we worship just the symbolic idea of the Deity inside us.. Because that makes a lot more sense to me. Also because _I_ am not Deity, but it is just a part of me.. What do you think?

[kaosxmage]

Interesting thread.

Dieties have an image assigned to them by the cultures that birthed them. Fair enough. But is that the true image? I doubt it. I am a polytheist, but I also recognize and believe that the Gods are above and beyond their cultural boundaries. I'm sure at somepoint, as with all perception, we see the subjective truth rather than the objective truth, and the Gods are no different.

Aside from that, do you see Odin on his steed with spear and cloak, or can you see him as something relevant to your world, evolving, and looking shapr in his pinstripe suit, or wearing a ballcap when taking human giuse? Does Isis wear her egyptian regalia and only reside in egyptian temples or vast deserts? Or can Isis be a lovely woman in modern dress lounging on green hills and playing with wolves? Could she go out in short skirts and cropped tops and enjoy a night out at the clubs? Certainly a good portion of her modern followers do!

The importance (I think) is to avoid thinking of the gods in a static environment and image. If you choose to believe these beings are out there, than why wouldn't they be able to relate to their current living children? Aside from that, image isn't important, relationship is. Trust your instincts when working with your respected deity and you'll see exactly what you're supposed to see - even if it's not what you expect in some cases.

--Kaos

[Blondie]

I would reply: Ok... But this view isn't real.
I SO beg to differ!

Perception is reality. The God/dess have many different facets, each may or will come to us at a time in our life when we need it.

If we need a facet that screams THINYOUNGBIGBOOBS, then that will come. If we need something more down-to-earth (such as Venus of Wilendorf or Pan) then that will come.

Don't knock other people if they want to give deity a personal face.

[Pandoras]

I agree that deities have an image assigned to them by the cultures that birthed them and this is how I usually see them. Whether the image is true or not doesn't matter to me because I'm not a polytheist. I see the gods/goddesses as manifestations of a greater Divine. The image is important to me only in terms of what that god/goddess represents.

For instance, I always see Athena as the ancient Greeks probably did - with her helmet, spear, shield, breastplate of Medusa, etc. - because the image and symbols reinforce that she represents justice, war, wisdom, and so forth. I don't think these images are outdated because the archetype is never outdated. Still using Athena as an example, her breastplate with Medusa shows her connection to the gorgon and regeneration and represents her wisdom. Getting rid of this symbol by changing her image risks an important aspect of the goddess being lost over time.

[goDez]

The importance (I think) is to avoid thinking of the gods in a static environment and image. If you choose to believe these beings are out there, than why wouldn't they be able to relate to their current living children? Aside from that, image isn't important, relationship is. Trust your instincts when working with your respected deity and you'll see exactly what you're supposed to see - even if it's not what you expect in some cases.

Totally agree to this.


For instance, I always see Athena as the ancient Greeks probably did - with her helmet, spear, shield, breastplate of Medusa, etc. - because the image and symbols reinforce that she represents justice, war, wisdom, and so forth. I don't think these images are outdated because the archetype is never outdated. Still using Athena as an example, her breastplate with Medusa shows her connection to the gorgon and regeneration and represents her wisdom. Getting rid of this symbol by changing her image risks an important aspect of the goddess being lost over time.

Combining this with the other quote... (since they are counterparts really):
Aren't there any MODERN symbols for the actual symbols that (for instance) the Greeks added to Athena? Because I believe the Godform is/was ALWAYS there; it is free of time constraints. Back in the greek times; the greek chose to add these symbolisms so that the people of that time could relate to the idea(l)s the Deity represented. Why isn't this done in modern time? @Pandoras: WHY do you so much think the only way to keep the true ideas of a godform is by sticking to the symbolism given to it by people from old? Do they know deity any better then us, in other words, can't WE provide with symbolism/view/looks that we can relate to?

@Blondie:
And don't you attack me for incorrect quotings.


Ok... But this view isn't real. Although it's perfectly clear that one might be able to communicate better talking to a picture/drawing..

This makes clear I DO accept people using any type of view if that works for them.

Ps. NOFI blondie.. But Perception = reality is another topic. I also differ on thoughts about that. Simply put: a colordeaf person can say something is green, and for him it will be, but is it in reality really green?
No. Does this matter? For the colordeaf: no, he will be able to use this color in his life. Falsely. Color is through perception of the eyes. You have 5 senses, and if ALL senses tell equal about a certain object, it has a bigger chance to be the object you expect it to. A colordeaf probably knows he has the 'illness' and will therefor not really rely on his eyes for perception. Should we then make up how deity looks and accept this view? Can we, according to the above? We conceive deity through.. Through what? Not through: visual/scent/taste/hearing/skinsense; but rather through a combination of these on a non-physical level. Is this then the sixth sense? Do we have proof for it?