Krazy Kris Krosses

[Dimasalang]

Originally Posted by migueldiaz

In fact the peoples of our islands are very syncretistic when it comes to religion. Even up to now.

I always tend to believe this theory. While many folks(particularly outside the Philippines) would like to believe it is always either one or the other, black and white(with no gray area).

Even stuff like the Agimat or Anting Anting talismans. It is well known to be dated back to pre-hispanic times, but the symbols you see now associated with them are mostly Christian in design. Some believing the converted natives actually just substituted their old symbols, words, and spiritual beings for those the Spanish forced on to the natives...so now they are Christian saints, symbols, latin prayers(oricions). Freemasonry as well being incorporated in these designs, since during the turn of the 20th century, Freemasonry greatly impacted these areas by Filipino leaders of the revolution...particularly those who hid out and made their headquarters in places like Mt Banahaw and Mt Cristobal. Attached is an old Anting Anting protection vest...similar to what groups like the Pulajanes would wear. Sorry for getting off topic, but I think it somewhat parallels this topic.

[David R]

Happened everywhere Christianity was imposed, Vodun gods in Haiti have a "Saintly" identity, eg Oguan = Santiago . Even here the old festivals and Gods took new identities, Christmas is the old Solturna, the Green Man is carved in Medieval churches, and St Bridgit is the new avatar of the Crow Goddess...allegedly. Your ordinary person just wants protection from the dark forces, and will take it from wherever it might be gotten. (Let's not talk about Shiela na Gig).
When you get down to it, a lot of the Western swordsmiths marks are talismanic, some folk-Christian and some, half moons, wolves and such perhaps of more eclectic origin.
Add to that the reinterpretation of Western marks in Africa, noted on Kaskara and Takouba,...crosses are among the least dubious symbols you could find!..Sorry to go on like this...just something I find interesting.