Contagious Magic

Definition

Contagious magic is the belief that objects or individuals can transfer their properties or characteristics to other objects or individuals through direct contact or association. This concept is closely linked to the anthropological understanding of religion and its role in shaping human beliefs and practices.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Contagious magic is based on the principle that 'like produces like' or that 'the part represents the whole,' where contact with an object or person is believed to transfer their properties or essence.
2. This concept is often observed in religious and cultural practices, such as the use of relics, amulets, or talismans that are believed to possess the power or essence of the original object or person.
3. Contagious magic can also be seen in taboos and social customs that prohibit certain behaviors or associations, as they are believed to transfer undesirable qualities or consequences.
4. The belief in contagious magic is not limited to physical contact but can also extend to mental or emotional associations, such as the transfer of emotions or thoughts.
5. Anthropologists have studied the role of contagious magic in various cultural and religious contexts, as it reflects the human tendency to seek explanations and establish connections between seemingly unrelated phenomena.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of contagious magic is related to the anthropological understanding of religion.
  • The concept of contagious magic is closely linked to the anthropological understanding of religion because it reflects the human tendency to seek explanations and establish connections between seemingly unrelated phenomena. Many religious and cultural practices, such as the use of relics, amulets, or talismans, are based on the belief that objects or individuals can transfer their properties or characteristics to others through direct contact or association. This belief in the transfer of power or essence is a fundamental aspect of contagious magic and plays a significant role in shaping religious beliefs and practices across cultures.
• Analyze the role of taboos and social customs in the context of contagious magic.
  • Taboos and social customs can be viewed as manifestations of contagious magic, as they are often based on the belief that certain behaviors or associations can transfer undesirable qualities or consequences. By prohibiting or restricting particular practices, societies aim to prevent the transfer of negative attributes or the disruption of the social and spiritual order. Anthropologists have studied how these taboos and customs reflect the underlying principles of contagious magic, where the fear of contamination or the belief in the transfer of essence shapes cultural and religious norms. Understanding the role of contagious magic in shaping these social and religious practices provides insight into the anthropological perspectives on the function and significance of religion in human societies.
• Evaluate how the concept of mana relates to the anthropological understanding of contagious magic.
  • The concept of mana, which refers to a supernatural force or power believed to reside in people, animals, or inanimate objects, is closely connected to the anthropological understanding of contagious magic. Mana is often seen as a transferable essence or quality that can be inherited or transmitted through contact or association. This belief in the transfer of mana, or supernatural power, is a fundamental aspect of contagious magic and reflects the human tendency to seek explanations for the world around them. Anthropologists have studied how the belief in mana and its transferability shapes religious and cultural practices, such as the use of relics or the observance of taboos, which are aimed at controlling or harnessing this supernatural force. By examining the relationship between mana and contagious magic, anthropologists gain deeper insights into the ways in which religious beliefs and practices are rooted in the human desire to understand and manipulate the world through symbolic and metaphysical connections.

Related terms

Sympathetic Magic:

The belief that things which have once been in contact with each other continue to act on each other at a distance through a sympathetic connection.

Taboo: A social or religious custom prohibiting or restricting a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing.

Mana: A supernatural force or power that is believed to reside in people, animals, or inanimate objects, and can be transferred or inherited.