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#514042 Thu, 15 May 08 03:19 PM

I have a problem with the comprehension of a certain phrase in the sentence below.

Copper has also been sacred to the Sun in Babylon as well as to the early inhabitants of the Pacific Northwest (U.S).

Does "sacred" here means that it was offered/related to the Sun, or that copper was a holy thing, but it cannot be holy for the Sun, something can be holy or sacred for people, for example for the inhabitants of the Pacific Northwest, but not for the Sun. I don't get it "sacred to the Sun"???

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Avangi

#514095 Thu, 15 May 08 05:20 PM

Perhaps at some point in Babylonian history, the sun may have been considered a deity. However the sun god made his wishes known to the Babylonians, he let them know that copper was very special to him.

I'm not really sure how that works. If people consider something sacred in their worship of God, do they consider it sacred to God?

- A.

Avangi

Joined on Mon, Nov 19 2007

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". . . le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile." - Henri de Regnier

Newguest

#514098 Thu, 15 May 08 05:31 PM

So, actually, what is the meaning of "sacred to..." in this context? Maybe "sacred to.." here means that copper was attributed to the Sun (and the Sun was probably the deity)? How do you think?

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Avangi

#514113 Thu, 15 May 08 06:10 PM

"Sacred to" the XXX people means that these people consider something to have special religious significance. It may be worshipped as an object or it may be used in some kind of worship service.

In the case of the sun, the XXX people over time became convinced that there was a sun god to whom copper had a great religious significance.

I'm not sure how you're using "attributed" here. Do you possibly mean that these people thought that because of its color, copper has come from the sun, and therefore is sacred?

Avangi

Whom

Newguest

#514135 Thu, 15 May 08 06:43 PM

I mean "attributed" in the context of "linked with something", i.e., copper was somehow linked with the Sun, a symbol of it.

A bit earlier in the text there is the sentence which says: Copper, during ancient Mesopotamian times, was attributed to the Queen of Heaven as well as to goddesses associated with the planet Venus.

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Avangi

#514207 Thu, 15 May 08 10:57 PM

Right. Many of the ancient gods were "possibly invented" to explain the natural things which surround us. The gods were thought to have created, and then controlled many of the great wonders of nature - which is not to say they didn't. The sun/copper thing fits this mold.

The link you mention between a thing and its attributes, or things which are attributed to it, can take various forms.

- A.

Avangi

Newguest

#514209 Thu, 15 May 08 11:01 PM

Thanks for the conversation Avangi Wink

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