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Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity
The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing
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The Religious Significance Of Bees And Beehives In Egyptian, Israelite, And Latter-Day Saint Traditions, Anita Cramer
The Religious Significance Of Bees And Beehives In Egyptian, Israelite, And Latter-Day Saint Traditions, Anita Cramer
The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing
The bee and beehive have been pervasive symbols in many ancient societies and religions. This iconography continues in the modern world, as Latter-day Saint beehives clearly testify. From Brigham Young University letterhead, to Utah highway signs, to the Salt Lake Temple doors, the state of Deseret continues to flaunt its mascot Yet few realize the profound symbolism, such as royalty and rebirth, associated with the bee. Examining the ancient Egyptian and Israelite usage of bees in a religious context, therefore, is intriguing, and provides insight into why Latter-day Saint pioneers chose to identify with the beehive and its inhabitants. Pharaonic …