image link

Today’s A2Z will be abbreviated. I will give two examples of magical and/or sacred phallic symbols, then give a link for you to learn about some others across the world.

From wikipedia:
Palad Khik is a kind of Thai amulet that is shaped like a penis. The phrase “palad khik” means “honorable surrogate penis”. These amulets range from a few inches to several feet in length. The smaller versions are usually worn on the body while the larger versions are displayed in shops and other establishments.

Palad Khik originated in India and relate to the Hindu god Shiva, who is usually represented by Shiva Linga.* They were brought to Southeast Asia via the Cham people and remained in the region ever since. The Chinese concept called Yang is similar, where Shiva is represented abstractly in the form of Linga (male genitalia). Sometimes the linga are accompanied by Yoni (female genitalia). Together, the linga and yoni symbolize unity and the powers of creation and destruction.

The Palad Khik, as a phallic representation of Shiva, is also an animistic symbol of fertility. It is not uncommon in Thailand to see a penis amulet hanging on a convenience store or a restaurant, or even being sold by old women on the street. Although outsiders may regard these as offensive, ordinary Thais are deeply superstitious and lucky charms and talismans are still regarded as important.

Palad Khik can be made from wood, metal, bone, horn or ivory, and they are created by monks who specialize in them. Engraving the sacred inscriptions is an important ritual and can take many days to complete. Cast metal palad khiks do not always have these inscriptions, but they may have animal symbols.

Palad khik amulets must be empowered by the repetition of incantations, which Thais call ‘Kata Bucha’, derived from the Devanagari ‘ghata poojah’. The incantations depend on the creator’s lineage in each school of traditional non-Buddhist animist magic. Kata Bucha Palad Khik would commonly be a four syllable heart Mantra (Kata Hua Jai), such as ‘Ganha Neha’ and ‘Na Ma Pa Ta’, or, ‘Ja Pa Ga Sa’

Palad Khiks are usually worn by males on a cord around their waist under the clothes and off-center from the real penis. It is not unusual for a male to wear many palad khiks at the same time, in the hope to attract women, increase gambling luck and protection from dangerous objects such as bullets and knives.

At times, women in Thailand also carry it in their purses to protect them from rape and mugging. Shop owners display them in their shops or in the cash register area to protect their business and also bring good luck and sales.

A notable feature of this type of amulet is it can be worn in places considered as lowly or unclean such as bars, gambling casinos and brothels. Normally, you cannot bring a Buddhist amulet inside such establishments.

Lost in Translation
*Despite what wikipedia says about its origins, reading elsewhere, at Learning Religions,  it says the Shiva Linga or Lingam is a symbol that represents Lord Shiva in Hinduism. As the most powerful of deities, temples are built in his honor that includes a Shiva Linga, representing all the energies of the world and beyond. The popular belief is that the Shiva Linga represents the phallus, the emblem of the generative power in nature. According to followers of Hinduism, their teachers have taught that this is not only a mistake, but also a grave blunder.

In Sanskrit, Linga means a “mark” or a symbol, which points to an inference. Thus the Shiva Linga is a symbol of Lord Shiva: a mark that reminds of the Omnipotent Lord, which is formless. The Linga is like an egg and represents the Brahmanda (the cosmic egg). Linga signifies that the creation is affected by the union of Prakriti and Purusha, the male and the female powers of Nature. It also signifies Satya, Jnana, and Ananta—Truth, Knowledge, and Infinity. [maybe this should have gone in yesterdays post on oophalos??]

A Shiva Linga consists of three parts. The lowest of these is called the Brahma-Pitha; the middle one, the Vishnu-Pitha; the uppermost one, the Shiva-Pitha. These are associated with the Hindu pantheon of gods: Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver), and Shiva (the Destroyer). To Hindu Devotees, There is a mysterious or indescribable power (or Shakti) in the Linga. It is believed to induce concentration of the mind and help focus one’s attention. That is why the ancient sages and seers of India prescribed Linga to be installed in the temples of Lord Shiva.  For a sincere devotee, the Linga is not merely a block of stone, it is all-radiant. It talks to him, raises him above body-consciousness, and helps him communicate with the Lord. Lord Rama worshiped the Shiva Linga at Rameshwaram. Ravana, the learned scholar, worshiped the golden Linga for its mystical powers.

Shiva Linga

For more information
Japanese Mythology and Folklore https://japanesemythology.wordpress.com/phallic-worship-around-the-world-in-ancient-times/ has an excellent blog post about other phallic objects that are sacred and venerated around the world.