Aryan Sun Myths: The Origin of Religions

by Sarah E. Titcomb, Charles Morris (Introduction)

Aryan The Origin of Religions by Sarah Elizabeth Titcomb, was originally published in 1889. The work looks at the central themes of Christianity and their pre-Christian Aryan roots by way of a comparative mythology with Egyptian, Hindu, Celtic, Buddhist, Aztec, and Arabian mythologies, inclduing the recurrent themes and symbols of the Tree of Life, Axis Mundi, Cross, and Virgin born saviour. Titcomb also points out the underlying seasonal agricultural and astronomical cycles in these theological systems. The introduction is provided by Charles Morris, author of The Aryan Its Origins and Its Achievements, which was originally published in 1888.

Genres: Philosophy, Religion

105 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1889

Reviews

[Cassandra Kay Silva]

This work contained a lot of references which would be very time consuming to check. I have read a few of the works referenced such as the Mahabharata and the Upanishads and so forth. I have also read the Egyptian Book of the Dead and was surprised that this was not referenced. However, with my limited knowledge I saw a few flaws with this work. In trying to hit her points home strongly she over emphasized the role of some aspects of similarity. I think we can all agree that there are indeed a vast number of similarities between Aryan religious beliefs and subsequent beliefs that have sprung from many of these ideas. I also think we can all agree on many of the similarities of some religions, but she poses to paint so harsh a picture as to make some of these religions unrecognizable. Buddhism for example is shown to focus entirely on Buddah, which any true follower of Buddah will contest that Buddah himself did not want to be worshiped and asked his followers to simply find their way to enlightenment not to worship him. Also in the traditional telling of Heracles the apples at the end of the world are guarded by Atlas (holding the world up) not by a serpent or a dragon. This to my knowledge is just false. Then again as many myths go, there are always elaborations and changes depending on location and people referenced, so I will have to take her on her word on some of these. I think she made an exhaustive study and for that I was impressed, even if I am unsure of the validity of all of her arguments, I do think the connections she attempts are worth noting.

[Emtiaj]

প্রায় ১৩০ টা বই ঘেটে লেখা এই ছোট্ট বইটা ভালো লাগলো। যারা The Da Vinci Code বইটা পড়েছেন এবং যাদের মিথ, ধর্মের ইতিহাস ভালো লাগে তাদের অবশ্যই এই বইটা পড়তে বলব।

[Nell Grey]

A collection of information extracted from the works of other authors, which adds up to what amounts to a primer of comparative religion. The extensive bibliography covers a broad period of time and scholarship, and I found myself questioning some statements quoted by the author. Nevertheless the book proved an interesting read, and one that provided a few surprises, food for thought and a list of potential books for more in-depth reading.

[Mahmoud Awad]

Very dense, period writing. Many of Titcomb's conclusions on the "Aryan" (Indo-european) proto-religion/astrotheology have since filtered through academia and become commonly understood. Several major errors (Krishna, Hercules, as other reviewers mentioned), not particularly heinous given the dated nature of the text. Decent to skim.

[Shelove Tilus]

Sun Worshipers

This is one of the most enlightened book I ever read after the Bible. It makes me understand the religious practices of today’s societies. Many Christians call upon a God they don’t know and don’t make any effort to know Him. Thanks

[Bobby Daugherty]

An old book on the solar religions of pre Christian Europe.