Angel of Abundance: A walk through the representations of Abundance in different ancient cultures
- 2019
"The desire for what we lack promotes lack, but the gratitude of what we have calls abundance."
- Rafael Vidac
In different cultures throughout history, we can find a representation of the Angel of Abundance . Although its characteristics vary from one to another, the fundamentals of its existence remain virtually intact.
It is currently recognized as Abuntia (or Abundantia ), the Roman goddess of prosperity and good fortune, but her names and stories show variations from tradition to tradition.
In this article we will talk about the angel of abundance, who is worshiped by those who pray for the flow of prosperity in their lives, and we will take a walk on the different cultures that represent it.
The Angel of Roman Abundance: Abuntia
We will start with the best known.
In the ancient Roman religion, Abuntia or Abundantia was the personification of abundance and prosperity . Although artistic and cultural pieces of the time have been found with their presence, little is the mythology that has been inherited from it.
The Roman poet Pablo Ovid Nasón is the one who leaves us in his account of the legend of the god of the river Aqueloo (from the ancient Greek Ἀχελώїoς, and then Ἀχελῷος, 'he who drives away sorrow '), a mention of this angel of abundance . In his legend, Hercules plucks a horn from the forehead of the god Aqueloo (who had assumed the form of a bull) in a battle and forces him to surrender. Then, the hero gives that horn to the Naiads who transform it into the Cornucopia that will later be awarded to Abundantia.
The Cornucopia, a symbol of prosperity also known as the horn of abundance, is what we can see in some representations of the Angel of Abundance that we know today. It can be found in some of the representations of the Roman goddess Fortuna .
The Angel of the Nordic Abundance: Fulla
In the Nordic tradition, the personality related to abundance is the virgin goddess Fulla (or Volla ). This daughter of the goddess Frigg, her confidant and who guarded the case where she placed her jewels and her golden shoes.
The angel of the Nordic abundance can be seen in the representations as a beautiful young woman, with loose golden hair, adorned by a band also gilded in the manner of a crown.
In the Saga of Gísla Súrssonar you can find a beautiful prayer to this angel of abundance, recited by the hero shortly before his death:
“My Fulla, beautiful face, goddess of stones
Who, for my joy, has to hear about his friend
Standing straight, without fear, in the rain of spears. ”
The Angel of Hindu Abundance: Laksm
In the Hindu tradition, the angel of abundance is represented by the goddess Laksm (subscribed, lak m ), spouse of the god Visn . This venerated deity is responsible for bringing good fortune, love, beauty and fertility to people. It represents the material and spiritual abundance, and it is said that it was born from the foam that was generated by beating the milk ocean (fundamental myth of Hinduism).
One of the legends of this angel of plenty says that by marching Indra, the god of the gods, on his elephant, a beggar approaches him to give him a garland as a symbol of prosperity and abundance . The god, with total disinterest, places her on the neck of her elephant, ignoring that the goddess Laksmí was hiding in her. Feeling ignored, this angel of abundance flees taking with him all the prosperity and fortune of the world. Then, the gods run to ask for advice from Visnu, who launches his quest across the oceans until he finds her perched on a lotus flower . By taking her hand, she decides to return to the world.
This legend illustrates in a very simple way the meaning of prosperity and abundance . If we do not value it, it moves away, if we look for it, it offers us its hand.
Laksmí chooses Visnú as his eternal companion, for he was the only one who had the power to stop Maya (illusion). Likewise, it is said that he accompanied God in all his reincarnations, reincarnating in turn in his companions. As his consort, this angel of abundance also represents the energy and the active feminine side of the Supreme Being.
Today she is also recognized as the mother goddess, protector of devotees.
The Angel of Mayan abundance: Yum Kaax
In the ancient Mayan tradition, the angel of abundance is represented by the benevolent god Yum Kaax (' lord of the forest '). Generally related to vegetation and hunting, this Mayan god is the protector of wild plants and forest animals.
This angel of Mayan abundance is considered one of the most important deities of the Mayan Pantheon, and is revered by hunters who entered the forest to get food. The farmers invoked his name and presented him as an offering the first fruits of their fields so that animals and wild vegetation did not destroy their crops.
Alternatively, another Mayan god who also represents the angel of abundance is Ju'n Ixiim, the god of corn. This god was of great importance for this ancient culture, since corn represented the basis of their diet and abundance.
The Angel of Egyptian abundance: Tueris
In ancient Egyptian tradition, the angel of abundance is represented by the goddess Tueris 'La Grande' ( Tȝ – wrt, also known as Tauret, Thouéris, Tuat, among others).
This goddess is the former protector of pregnant women and children at birth, as well as the goddess of fertility and rejuvenation. It also favors the abundance of milk to breastfeeding mothers.
This angel of abundance is represented with a hippo's head (the female hippos of the Nile River were revered in this culture as protective deities ), feline legs, crocodile tail and large breasts. His skin is usually black and usually looks with a headdress that horns and a solar disk.
Her presence, especially in domestic artifacts of that culture, invites us to understand her as a maternal goddess, protector of homes, who maintains order and harmony.
Angel of Chinese Abundance: Ebisu
In ancient Chinese culture, Ebisu (恵 比 須, 恵 比 寿, 夷, 戎, also known as Hiruko 蛭 子) is the representation of the angel of abundance . This god is the one revered by fishermen and farmers, as he is recognized as the bearer of good fortune and prosperity in business.
He is one of the Seven Gods of Fortune (七 福神Shichifukujin ) and the only one that originated purely in Japan without Hindu influence.
Legend has it that this representation of the angel of abundance is born without bones, due to a transgression by his mother in the marriage ritual. Seeing that he cannot stand, his parents send him to the sea in a cane boat before his third birthday. Upon reaching a coast he is found and raised by an Ainu (indigenous). After a life of constant struggle for his condition, he manages to get ahead of the difficulties and rise as Ebisu, the god of fishermen.
Abundance and prosperity has always been a natural quest for man. Through different cultures and characteristics, we see that in the same way that abundance is intimately related to an intention, with respect and veneration.
In the same way, today we must understand the intention of abundance, and respect and venerate it as our ancestors.
AUTHOR: Lucas, editor and translator of the great family of hermandadblanca.org
SOURCES:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abundantia
- https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqueloo
- https://journeyingtothegoddess.wordpress.com/2012/01/28/goddess-fulla/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulla
- https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laksm%C3%AD
- https://www.ecured.cu/Lakshmi_(diosa_hinduista)
- https://www.vidanaturalia.com/canta-el-mantra-de-la-diosa-lakshmi-para-atraer-la-abundancia-en-tu-vida/
- https://counts-infantiles.idoneos.com/mitology_counts/mitology_maya/dioses_mayas/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taweret
- http://egiptologia.org/mitologia/panteon/wp/tueris.htm
- https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siete_Dioses_de_la_Fortuna
