Girdles : their origin and development, particularly with regard to their use as charms in medicine, and midwifery / by Walter J. Dilling, M.B., Ch. B., lecturer in pharmacology, Aberdeen University.

  • Dilling, Walter James, 1886-1950
Date:
1914
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: Girdles : their origin and development, particularly with regard to their use as charms in medicine, and midwifery / by Walter J. Dilling, M.B., Ch. B., lecturer in pharmacology, Aberdeen University. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Sufficient has been said to indicate the antiquity of the girdle in apparel; that it has been in general use by all nations is evident, and survivals of the girdles of olden times are to be found in European peoples who preserve their national dress, but to enter into this matter a lengthy treatise would be necessary.1 3. Girdles employed in religious ritual.—It has been stated that the origin of the dress girdle is obvious. This is by no means the case with the religious girdle, and, although it is possible to trace the religious use further back and still find attached to it some cryptic signification, it is, I think, most probable that the mystical attributes were applied to the already prevalent dress girdle. This, however, can merely be a hypothesis, since the period in which the girdle took its place in religious ceremonies is so remote that no final decision on this matter is likely to be attained. The earliest form of the sacrificial girdle was probably a cord worn round the waist by the priests, and representing the year-girdle of the mythical gods of the Vedas. At a later period it was worn on the right shoulder, and, lastly, it was placed over the left shoulder. These girdles are found not only in India, but also in Umbria and Mexico.2 The importance of the Indian religious girdles is illustrated by the fact that before its assumption, which constitutes the second birth, no religious ceremony may be performed.3 The Vedic Brahmans wear the girdle over the right shoulder, but during funeral ceremonies the custom is reversed and the girdle worn on the left shoulder.4 The various Brahmanic castes have girdles made of different materials,5 while the age of investiture is also stipulated;6 the ceremonies connected with the investiture are complicated and lengthy,7 the 1 Vide art. “ Girdle,” by author, in J. Hastings “ Encyclop. of Religion and Ethics.” 2 J. F. Hewitt, “Primitive Traditional History,” London, 1907, vol. ii, p. 988. 3 Buhler, “Manu,” vol. ii, pp. 169-171. 4 “ Sacred Books of the East,” 1882, vol. xii, pp. 363, 423, 424 (note 2), 428-433 ; c.f. ibid., 1892, vol. xxx, pp. 16, 17, 251. 5 Buhler, “ Manu,” vol. ii, p. 42 et seq. ; “ Sacred Books of the East,” 1886, vol. xxix, p. 60. 6 “Sacred Books of the East,” 1886, vol. xxix, p. 58 et seq.; 1892, vol. xxx, p. 63. 7 Dubois-Beauchamp, “ Hindu Manners, Customs, and Ceremonies,” Oxford, third edition, 1906, p. 160 et seq. ; “Sacred Books of the East,” 1886, vol. xxix, pp. 61, 238 ; ibid., 1892, vol. xxx, pp. 67, 148.