GemsOfINDOLOGY Profile picture
Dec 25, 2022 14 tweets 13 min read Read on X
#Thread Pagan Origins of #Christmas
In pre-Christian era Pagan celebrated Seasonal festivals around the winter solstice ("Symbol of rebirth of Sun or Son") later converted to #Christianity.
SantaClause, Decorating trees, Jesus birth also find its association with 25th Dec.

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#Saturnalia was one of Pagan ancient Roman festival in honor of the god Saturn, held from 17 December to 23 December. It was most popular holiday in the Roman calendar.

Pic By Themadchopper, Antoine-François Callet #Christmas

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During #Saturnalia celebrations
1.All work and business were suspended
2.Slaves were given temporary freedom to say and do what they liked
3.People would wear a cap of freedom – the pilleum –
usually worn by slave
4.People were permitted to gamble in public
5.Chariot racing

3/14
#Saturnalia was the result of the merging of 3 winter festivals over the centuries.
1. Day of Saturn – the god of seeds and sowing
2. Bruma - Day of a feast day celebrating the shortest day
3. Opalia- feast day dedicated to Saturn’s wife

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217 BC a huge public feast was arranged at the oldest temple in Rome, the Temple of Saturn.
Macrobius confirms this, and says that the "rowdy" participants would spill out onto the street, with the participants shouting, “Io #Saturnalia!”

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Closing days of the #Saturnalia were known as "#Sigillaria" because of the custom of making, toward the end of the festival, presents of candles, wax models of fruit, and waxen statuettes which were fashioned by the Sigillarii

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#Yule is another pagan festival that had customs absorbed into the Christian #Christmas was the festival of #Yule by Germanic people.
The familiar custom of burning the Yule log dates back to earlier solstice celebrations and the tradition of bonfires
Src:Public domain

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Another association of 25th Dec is the birth date of #Jesus
However, It was first identified as date of Birth by Sextus Julius Africanus in 221. For long time 6th January was celebrated as Jesus b'day

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336CE, the church settled 25 December as the date of Christ’s nativity. Christians wanted to keep #Christmas distinguished from Saturnalia traditions such as gambling, drinking, worshipping god.
Christmas become a major #Christian festival in 9th century.
Src @Britannica

9/14
Decorating #christmastrees with candles is another celebration on #Christmaseve. celebration was first known in Strasbourg in 1605.
Trees were decorated with 24 candles as 24th opening to 25th Dec from 1st Dec.
The no. of candles later reduced to 4
Src @Britannica

10/14
Santa Clause 'Saint Nicholas' 'Father Christmas' is said to be 4th Century Greek Bishop of Myra.
Martin Luther propagated gifting to children in #Christmas to focus children interest to Christ rather than Saints.

11/14 Pic 13th cnet. Saint Catherine Monastery, Sinai CC Pubic dom
Irresistible surge of #paganism worldwide as expressed in movies like Avatar, Thor and the Harry Potter series. The success of such movies worldwide suggests a deep desire among people for a more spiritually satisfying life with pantheism.
indiafacts.org/pagan-revival-…

12/14
You can read the unrolled version of this thread here: typefully.com/GemsOfIndology…

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More from @GemsOfINDOLOGY

Jun 27
The Gubyaukgyi (or Kubyauk-gyi) temple, near Bagan, Myanmar, was built in 1113 AD by Prince Yazakumar after King Kyansittha's death. It's renowned for its well-preserved frescoes, the oldest in Bagan, featuring Old Mon captions that mark early language use in Myanmar.

Located near the Myazedi Pagoda, it stands beside a key historical pillar with inscriptions in Pali, Old Mon, Old Burmese, and Pyu, often dubbed the "Burmese Rosetta Stone" for its linguistic significance.

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Stone pillars with inscriptions in four ancient Southeast Asian languages: Pali, Old Mon, Old Burmese, and Pyu. The inscription on the pillar displayed by the Myazedi Pagoda is called the Burmese Rosetta Stone, given its historical and linguistic significance as a key to deciphering the Pyu language.

Compare the protection given to this pillar by a relatively smaller country. @AsiGOI can learn from these smaller countries as to how to protect heritages of national importance.

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A Mystical figure

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Jun 17
Did you know that "Bull Leaping" or "Bull Taming" finds its roots in India, and was gender neutral ? It later made its way to Europe, where it goes by different names. The earliest seal dates back to around 2600-1900 BCE. The second piece of evidence for Bull Leaping comes from Banawali, near the dry Saraswati riverbed in Haryana, dating from 2300-1700 BCE.

#Archaeology

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The subsequent known depiction of bull-leaping appears on Hüseyindede vases, originating from the early Hittite period around 1650 BCE. #Archaeology

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During the period from around 1600 BCE to 1450 BCE, the late Minoans engaged in the thrilling sport of bull leaping. This bronze sculpture, crafted through the 'Lost Wax Technique' (a method originating from India that remains in use today by @Nasa), captures an acrobat in mid-somersault.

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Jun 15
DEVDASI | Journey from GLEAM to GLOOM | Most respected to most dejected

Thread to look back in time to where we are today. An untold story in the evocative book 'NITYASUMANGALI' by Saskia C Kersenboon

Exploring the devadasi system's transformation, this narrative traces its shift from revered spiritual practice to marginalized existence. Devadasis, once divine performers in temples, faced decline as societal changes turned respect into rejection. Kersenboon's research reflects on cultural shifts, urging readers to ponder tradition, power, and identity.

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Devdasis, also known as Rudra Ganikas, played a crucial role in temple ceremonies. They were the figures who encircled the IDOLs during rituals led by the royals. Revered as both sacred and auspicious, they symbolized wealth and protection for the populace. They also conducted various ceremonies related to weddings and births.

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The initiation into becoming a DevDasi was a CHALLENGING ritualistic journey, focused on mastering Shakti and anchoring it to a symbolic DEITY. It began with the King's consent, followed by seclusion, detachment from family, and a bond with GOD. Even upon death, a Devdasi adorned herself as SU-Mangali (a MARRIED woman).

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Jun 7
Ever imagined yourself to be displayed as object in a Zoo ?

Here this thread captures real people and real agony. DONT proceed further if you are weak hearted.

This is a poster used during the era of Human Zoos. Note a "Negro" associated with an image of a monkey.

* sensitive material

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This part of a show called “Les Indes,” where captives from India are being paraded

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Black girl on display, Brussels, Belgium, 1958

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Read 9 tweets
Jun 6
Delving into Dholavira's metrology revelations.

Beyond ancient docks, lies advanced metrological wisdom.

From Mauryan architecture to now known as Qutub Minar, and Tajo Mahal the 5000 years old legacy lives on.

Bookmark this thread.

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As per latest studies, Dholavira construction used metrological units continued even in Tajo Mahal.

The author of this paper used "Dhanus" as 1.9 meters to evaluate dimensions and found that #harappan were not only fond of ratios but applied to all settlement of that period with some MOE

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The city's length EW axis and width NS are in a ratio of 5:4
The Castle also reflects the city's ratio of 5:4.
The Bailey is square (ratio 1:1).
The middle town's length and breadth are in a ratio of 7:6
The ceremonial ground's proportions are 6:1

3/12 https://www.indianculture.gov.in/other-collections/metrology-behind-harappan-town-planning
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May 26
The Brihadeshwarar Devalaya was founded by the Tamil emperor Arulmozhivarman, popularly known as Rajaraja Chola I, in 1002 CE. It was the first major building project of the great Tamil Chola dynasty.

Inspired by Shaivism, the temple stands as a significant testament to this tradition.

The frescoes on the Devalaya walls were damaged due to exposure to smoke and camphor. The Tanjore Nayak replaced the damaged paintings with their own. Later, @ASIGoI repaired the paintings. However, a few of the original artworks have begun to reappear.

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This exquisite fresco, dating back over a millennium, vividly captures the grace of two female and one male dancer in a mesmerizing performance. Nestled within the revered Brihadeshwarar Devalaya in Tamil Nadu, this ancient artwork reflects the region's rich cultural heritage and the timeless allure of classical Indian dance traditions.

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Lakshmi
Brihadeshwarar Devalaya, Tamil Nadu

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