Symbol Dictionary Pl-Q
Pluto: See Planets.
Pomegranate: See Fruit.
Prayer Beads: Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, and Catholics all use prayer beads to assist them in their prayers. Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), state, “These sets of beads symbolize the prayer and meditation for which they are used.” Japanese and Chinese Buddhists use strands of 108 bead rosaries to insure that they say the Buddha’s name at least 100 times. Similarly, Muslims use their prayer beads, misbaha or subha, to insure that they recite the ninety-nine names of Allah and his attributes, and to help them memorize a variety of prayers. Strings of 33 beads can also be used. Shepherd (2002) explains, “The beads act as a symbolic chain, connecting and binding the human to the divine.” Hindus use their malas prayer beads to help them recite mantras. There are a variety of malas to be used during different situations, whether peaceful, powerful, wrathful, or for prosperity. Roman Catholic prayer beads, the rosaries, were first developed in the 13th century to assist in prayers to Mary (her connection with roses gave the beads their name), and have since developed a variety of prayers. They usually have 165 beads in fifteen sets of ten beads and one larger one, the small ones representing Ave Maria or ”Hail Mary.” The large beads represent Paternoster or “Our Father.” See Rosaries.
Prayer Wheel: A prayer wheel is a rotating drum inscribed with or containing prayers, one turn of which is considered to have the equivalent power of a spoken prayer (Shepherd, 2002). Individuals use small, hand-held prayer wheels while large ones are rotated by pilgrims outside of Buddhist shrines.
Prayer Stick: Prayer sticks appear in a variety of cultures, from the Japanese (Ainu) Ikupasuy to Ethiopian to the Hebrew Mattah to the Native Americans. They are used in ritual, at ceremonial sites, to carry prayer. They can be made of wood or reed and decorated with sacred objects, feathers, the owners name, etc., and be a variety of sizes and shapes. According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book 1000
Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), “Sticks may be placed, according to custom, around a ceremonial site or they may be bundled together and placed upon it.
Prophecy: The ability to prophesize was a necessary gift of holy men and women of biblical times and considered their most important talent. Barbara Walker, in her book, The Woman’s Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, “The ancients’ chief standard of judgment for any holy man or woman was his or her power to prophesy coming events.”
Prostitution: Prostitution is one of the oldest spiritual and financial options available to women and was highly honored. Temple Harlots or prostitute-priestesses filled the temples of ancient times. In the Hindu tradition they were called devadasis; in the Middle-East they were called Charites or Graces and practiced charis, kindness, and beauty (later translated as charity); in Egypt they were called ghazye, sacred whores; Trantra called them Veshya; etc. Temple prostitution was practiced in Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Eryx, Corinth, Babylon, Asia, etc., by the thousands. Barbara Walker, in her book, The Woman’s Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, “Ancient harlots often commanded high social status and were revered for their learning” as well as their ability to heal. They were well educated, like courtesans, prized as wives, and considered to have the magical ability to heal and prophesize. Even during times of incredibly little power for women, temple prostitutes wielded independence, respect, and power, until Christianity demonized the practice.
Python: See Animals.
Qi: (Also called Chi) According to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), “Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the believe that every living thing is composed of fundamental energy, called Qi. Through yin and yang, Qi is to inform into five elements (wuxing): fire, water, metal, wood and earth.” Chinese medicine including acupuncture and Daoist internal alchemy all are based on Qi.
Quetzxalcoatl: See Gods/Savior
Gods.
Quintessence: A sign of divine rule, quintessence or blue blood was called by Romans, quinta essential or “essential fifth part,” according to Barbara Walker, in her book, The Woman’s Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983). Hindu gods, such as Shiva and Vishnu are depicted with dark blue skin; the Picts and other British tribes painted themselves blue before religious ceremonies or battle; the alchemists of Medieval times identified a blue elixir with the properties of spiritual illumination and physical resurrection as quinta essential; and the Essential Fifth was incorporated into the Tarot deck as the fifth trump suit that tells of mystical doctrines. The quintessence has been incorporated into legends of deities including Aphrodite and Horace as wine, ambrosia, nectar, honey, or menstrual blood of the Goddess. Homer believed that the blue blood of the Gods was the ethereal fluid of Aphrodite’s honeybees and Aristotle believed that the quintessence was a fifth element after earth, water, air, and fire, which the bodies of Gods were made of.