Overview of the role and status of dogs in religion
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Kukur Tihar is the special Nepali Hindu festival, where dogs are worshiped as a vehicle of deity Bhairava.
Dogs have played a role in the religion, myths, tales, and legends of many cultures. They hold diverse and multifaceted roles in various religious traditions around the globe. These interpretations often revolve around the faithful and loyal nature of dogs, paralleling human devotion to higher powers.
Across these religious contexts, the objectives regarding dogs in religion range from emblematic representations of virtues like loyalty and protection to teachings on purity and ritual practices that will be discussed more on the article's contents. From ancient mythologies to contemporary spiritual practices, the presence of dogs has left a lasting mark on humans' collective consciousness, reflecting their innate yearning for meaning and connection in the complex tapestry of faith and spirituality.
Following the questions about animals' interaction with religion, Aaron Gross highlighted that, "Although the imagination of animals and the human/animal border are fundamental to a surprising number of religious traditions and to the academic study of religion generally, this significance has been largely ignored".[1] The significance of dogs in religion transcends cultural boundaries and spans across time, reflecting the universal themes of loyalty, protection, and guidance.
In mythology, dogs often serve as pets or as watchdogs.[2] Stories of dogs guarding the gates of the underworld recur throughout Indo-European mythologies[3][4] and may originate from Proto-Indo-European religion.[3][4] Historian Julien d'Huy has suggested three narrative lines related to dogs in mythology.[5] One echoes the gatekeeping noted above in Indo-European mythologies—a linkage with the afterlife; a second "related to the union of humans and dogs"; a third relates to the association of dogs with the star Sirius.[5] Evidence presented by d'Huy suggests a correlation between the mythological record from cultures and the genetic and fossil record related to dog domestication.[5]
In her work, Animals and World Religion, Lisa Kemmerer[6] explores the intricate relationship that exists between animals and various religious traditions in the world. There are so many different ways in which animals are perceived, revered, and engaged with within the context of different religions. Animals, especially dog, play significant roles in religious narratives, rituals, and symbolism, which demonstrates how they often serve as metaphors for spiritual lessons. Dogs have played a fascinating and multifaceted role in various religions throughout history. These loyal animals have been symbols of fidelity, protection, and even divinity in many faiths. Their presence in religious narratives and rituals has left a lasting imprint on the spiritual landscape, serving as a testament to the profound connection between humans and canines.
^Gross, Aaron S. (December 31, 2014). The Question of the Animal and Religion. doi:10.7312/gros16750. ISBN 9780231167505.
^Sherman, Josepha (2008). Storytelling: An Encyclopedia of Mythology and Folklore. Sharpe Reference. pp. 118–121. ISBN 978-0-7656-8047-1.
^ abMallory, James P.; Adams, Douglas Q. (2006). Oxford Introduction to Proto-Indo-European and the Proto-Indo-European World. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. p. 439.
^ abWest, Martin Litchfield (2007). Indo-European Poetry and Myth. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 392. ISBN 978-0-19-928075-9.
^ abcDeFranco, Elyse (October 8, 2022). "How mythology could demystify dog domestication". The Science Life. Science News (Paper). Vol. 202, no. 7. p. 4.
^Kemmerer, Lisa (December 9, 2011). Animals and World Religions. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199790678.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-19-979067-8.
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