Motif
Ritual neutralization of the dangerous stranger
ritual_neutralization_of_the_dangerous_stranger
A motif of the Sacred Law and Social Order family, within the sub-family Hospitality and Treatment of Strangers. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.
1 occurrences
1 traditions
comparative
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The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 1 of 2) CHAPTER I. THE KING OF THE WOOD. / MACAULAY. / CHAPTER II. THE PERILS OF THE SOUL. / HEINE.; lines 3744-3826 confidence: high
Royal taboos isolate the king from danger; strangers are feared as possible practitioners of magic or witchcraft, so ceremonies may disarm their powers, counteract harmful influence, or cleanse their atmosphere.
Across the examples, strangers are delayed, purified, exorcised, made to participate in rites, or subjected to protective exchanges because they are believed to carry dangerous influence, spirits, disease, or treachery.
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