The Meaning of Naga Fangzahne
What does Naga Fangzahne mean? I've been asked this a bit. So here is my personal explanation.
Of most signifance is the word Naga itself. "Naga" is actually the name of a group of Kamarupan languages spoken in northeastern India and western Burma. So, in essence Naga designates the tongue or language of the serpent.
Pronunciation:
nah'-guhs
Etymology:
Serpent
In an article written for the Encyclopedia Mythica, in 1997, Micha F. Lindemans , had the following to say about the word Naga:
In Hindu myth, nagas are a primeval race of divine serpent-people that play an important part in religion. They are half human and half snake, and are still worshipped as the bringers of fertility, especially in southern India. Nagas are believed to live in palaces (Patala) in the underground city Bhogavati. They are considered the protectors of springs, wells and rivers. They bring rain, and thus fertility, but are also thought to bring disasters such as floods and drought. Their ruler is Sesha. Some of the nagas are: Ananta (symbol of eternity), Vasuki, Manasa (Moses/Masah) (fertility goddess and protector against snake-bites), and Mucilinda.
In the myths of Malay mariners, nagas are a many-headed dragons of enormous size (1:1).
On Java and Thailand, a naga is a mythical serpent or dragon, a serpent-god, a ruler of the netherworld who possesses immense wealth. In Java it is also called Sesa. In Thailand, a naga is often sculpted in temples as a dragon with five heads. It is the symbol of Narayana (Vishnu).
The Encyclopedia Britannica confirms:
Sanskrit Naga (“serpent”),
"...in Hindu and Buddhist mythology, a member of a class of semidivine beings, half human and half serpentine. They are considered to be a strong, handsome race who can assume either human or wholly serpentine form [i.e. shapeshifting]. They are regarded as being potentially dangerous but in some ways are superior to humans. They live in an underground kingdom called Naga-loka, or Patala-loka,..." [Not Vida Loca! Naga-loka:)]
Despite widespread suppression of the Cult of the Naga in Burma, Buddha was still closely associated with the Nagas. In Dr. Htin Aung's book Folk Elements in Burmese Buddhism, 1959, I learned that,
... the worship of the Naga was prevalent in the kingdom of Tagaung. The Burmese Naga is similar in many ways to the Indian Naga and the Chinese Dragon, hut it is difficult to say whether the worship of the Naga was originally a native cult or borrowed from the neighbouring regions of Manipur and Yunnan. Moreover, the worship of the Naga could have developed from the worship of the snake and, as has been noted above, in the Shan state and at Popa there are traces of a snake-cult. However, in these regions it is not so much the snakes, but their Nat masters who are worshipped. Thus, the Burmese snake-charmer goes to the Popa region, makes his offerings to the Popa Nats, promises to bring back the snakes within three years, and then proceeds to trap some cobras. The Burmese consider the Naga to be half animal and half spirit and do not identify it with the snake, with the result that, unlike the Southern Indians, they set upon and kill snakes, including cobras, whenever they find them..."
Learn more about Dr. Htin Aung's book here.
Here is an image of Buddha reclining with Naga Cobras shielding him from evil.
In English, one definition of "Fang" is "any of the hollow or grooved teeth of a venomous snake with which it injects its poison."
The German "Fangzahne" means either "fang" or "tusk". The idea of a tusk resembling a serpent's fang was familiar to the ancient sages. In some instances the Nagas were also associated with Elephants (i.e. the Hindu Ganesh) naturally due to the serpentine form of their trunks which appear to extend from their heads (minds).
...Much more could be said on this matter, but for now it suffices to say, Naga Fangzahne means, for my own purposes, "the serpent's venomous fangs".
This is precisely the image that I have projected in my mind as representative of this blogspot. You are approaching a "serpent's venomous fangs".
One source of inspiration for the title Naga Fangzahne stemmed from a biblical passage attributed to Jesus that I have meditated on for some time.
"...be as wise as serpents, gentle as doves..." Matthew 10:16 [KJV]
The idea, of being as "wise as serpents" is, in my opinion, wholly misunderstood. You can read one Christian's point of view here.
I have gathered the basic elements of his interpretation of Matthew 10:16:
If: "Some folks consider themselves to be wise, but their words hurt rather than heal."
So: ..."bitter jealousy and selfish ambition (v. 14), things which are normally expressed by destructive communication." “And where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing” (James 3:16). Unwise words harm rather than heal." "if it has produced disorder, dissension and turmoil rather than healing,"
Then: "it has not been God’s wisdom, but rather a counterfeit wisdom." "It finds its source in one of three places: in earth-bound motives, in our old sinful natures, or in Satan himself."
However, this entire argument seems to be contrary to what is written eighteen verses later in Matthew 10:34:
34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword [Wars: which produce "disorder, dissension and turmoil"].
35For I am come to set a man at variance [conflict] against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law [Strife: which produce "disorder, dissension and turmoil"].
36And a man's foes shall be they of his own household [Enmity:which produce "disorder, dissension and turmoil"].
37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me [Pledge your Allegiance: which produce "disorder, dissension and turmoil].
38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me [Obey: which promotes "selfish ambition" of "earth-bound motives". Can you name one war fought over religion which did not have its roots in "selfish ambition" and "earth-bound motives"?].
39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. [Sacrifice yourself: like Lemmings and scapegoats to promote "selfish ambition" and "earth-bound motives" that produce Wars, Strife, and Enmity, which produce "disorder, dissension and turmoil" in the world.]
The wisdom of the serpent is not milk. It is so unnatural, it is akin to venom. The body resists it as a natural reaction. The most obvious benefit to man is the serpent venom's role in producing "antivenom" (also known as "antivenin") to help counteract the effects of snake bites. The most well-known method of producing antivenom is a technique referred to by many as the "horse serum" method. Venom is injected into the horse, slowly increasing the amount as the horse builds up antibodies to the venom. Blood is then taken from the animal and the serum containing the antibodies is then separated. Unfortunately about one-third of all recipients have allergic reactions to horse serum. Cryptically, when speaking of the wisdom of the serpent and its transmission to the world, this idea would appear as follows:
"...And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads (1:1)and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth..." Revelation 12:3-4
In archaic ritual, the idea of extracting an antivenom, or a spirit cleansing cure from curses brought about by sin, was ritualistically enacted by the ancient Hebrew tradition of sacrificing a "scapegoat". The "scapegoat" serves as the spiritual "horse", all of Israel's sins [venom] were 'injected' and 'infused' into the goat. The goat dies (or much like a lemming is pushed off of a cliff onto jagged rocks down below), however, the trade off, so it was believed, Israel receives Atonement for their sins.
But what happens.....if the poison or the descent.......doesn't kill the goat?
A dark omen indeed.
Easton's Bible Dictionary has the following to say on this ancient tradition:
Lev. 16:8-26; R.V., "the goat for Azazel" (q.v.), the name given to the goat which was taken away into the wilderness on the day of Atonement (16:20-22).
The priest made atonement over the scapegoat [the horse], laying Israel's guilt upon it, and then sent it away, the goat bearing "upon him all their iniquities unto a
land not inhabited."
At a later period an evasion or modification of the law of Moses was introduced by the Jews. "The goat was conducted to a mountain named Tzuk, situated at a distance of ten Sabbath days' journey, or about six and a half English miles, from Jerusalem. At this place the Judean desert was supposed to commence; and the man in whose charge the goat was sent out, while setting him free, was instructed to push the unhappy beast down the slope of the mountain side, which was so steep as to insure the death of the goat, whose bones were broken by the fall. The reason of this barbarous custom was that on one occasion the scapegoat returned to Jerusalem after being set free, which was considered such an evil omen that its recurrence was prevented for the future by the death of the goat" (Twenty-one Years' Work in the Holy Land). This mountain is now called el-Muntar.
Got milk?
Try Naga Fangzahne
I welcome any comments or questions.
Of most signifance is the word Naga itself. "Naga" is actually the name of a group of Kamarupan languages spoken in northeastern India and western Burma. So, in essence Naga designates the tongue or language of the serpent.
Pronunciation:
nah'-guhs
Etymology:
Serpent
In an article written for the Encyclopedia Mythica, in 1997, Micha F. Lindemans , had the following to say about the word Naga:
In Hindu myth, nagas are a primeval race of divine serpent-people that play an important part in religion. They are half human and half snake, and are still worshipped as the bringers of fertility, especially in southern India. Nagas are believed to live in palaces (Patala) in the underground city Bhogavati. They are considered the protectors of springs, wells and rivers. They bring rain, and thus fertility, but are also thought to bring disasters such as floods and drought. Their ruler is Sesha. Some of the nagas are: Ananta (symbol of eternity), Vasuki, Manasa (Moses/Masah) (fertility goddess and protector against snake-bites), and Mucilinda.
In the myths of Malay mariners, nagas are a many-headed dragons of enormous size (1:1).
On Java and Thailand, a naga is a mythical serpent or dragon, a serpent-god, a ruler of the netherworld who possesses immense wealth. In Java it is also called Sesa. In Thailand, a naga is often sculpted in temples as a dragon with five heads. It is the symbol of Narayana (Vishnu).
The Encyclopedia Britannica confirms:
Sanskrit Naga (“serpent”),
"...in Hindu and Buddhist mythology, a member of a class of semidivine beings, half human and half serpentine. They are considered to be a strong, handsome race who can assume either human or wholly serpentine form [i.e. shapeshifting]. They are regarded as being potentially dangerous but in some ways are superior to humans. They live in an underground kingdom called Naga-loka, or Patala-loka,..." [Not Vida Loca! Naga-loka:)]
Despite widespread suppression of the Cult of the Naga in Burma, Buddha was still closely associated with the Nagas. In Dr. Htin Aung's book Folk Elements in Burmese Buddhism, 1959, I learned that,
... the worship of the Naga was prevalent in the kingdom of Tagaung. The Burmese Naga is similar in many ways to the Indian Naga and the Chinese Dragon, hut it is difficult to say whether the worship of the Naga was originally a native cult or borrowed from the neighbouring regions of Manipur and Yunnan. Moreover, the worship of the Naga could have developed from the worship of the snake and, as has been noted above, in the Shan state and at Popa there are traces of a snake-cult. However, in these regions it is not so much the snakes, but their Nat masters who are worshipped. Thus, the Burmese snake-charmer goes to the Popa region, makes his offerings to the Popa Nats, promises to bring back the snakes within three years, and then proceeds to trap some cobras. The Burmese consider the Naga to be half animal and half spirit and do not identify it with the snake, with the result that, unlike the Southern Indians, they set upon and kill snakes, including cobras, whenever they find them..."
Learn more about Dr. Htin Aung's book here.
Here is an image of Buddha reclining with Naga Cobras shielding him from evil.
In English, one definition of "Fang" is "any of the hollow or grooved teeth of a venomous snake with which it injects its poison."
The German "Fangzahne" means either "fang" or "tusk". The idea of a tusk resembling a serpent's fang was familiar to the ancient sages. In some instances the Nagas were also associated with Elephants (i.e. the Hindu Ganesh) naturally due to the serpentine form of their trunks which appear to extend from their heads (minds).
...Much more could be said on this matter, but for now it suffices to say, Naga Fangzahne means, for my own purposes, "the serpent's venomous fangs".
This is precisely the image that I have projected in my mind as representative of this blogspot. You are approaching a "serpent's venomous fangs".
One source of inspiration for the title Naga Fangzahne stemmed from a biblical passage attributed to Jesus that I have meditated on for some time.
"...be as wise as serpents, gentle as doves..." Matthew 10:16 [KJV]
The idea, of being as "wise as serpents" is, in my opinion, wholly misunderstood. You can read one Christian's point of view here.
I have gathered the basic elements of his interpretation of Matthew 10:16:
If: "Some folks consider themselves to be wise, but their words hurt rather than heal."
So: ..."bitter jealousy and selfish ambition (v. 14), things which are normally expressed by destructive communication." “And where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing” (James 3:16). Unwise words harm rather than heal." "if it has produced disorder, dissension and turmoil rather than healing,"
Then: "it has not been God’s wisdom, but rather a counterfeit wisdom." "It finds its source in one of three places: in earth-bound motives, in our old sinful natures, or in Satan himself."
However, this entire argument seems to be contrary to what is written eighteen verses later in Matthew 10:34:
34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword [Wars: which produce "disorder, dissension and turmoil"].
35For I am come to set a man at variance [conflict] against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law [Strife: which produce "disorder, dissension and turmoil"].
36And a man's foes shall be they of his own household [Enmity:which produce "disorder, dissension and turmoil"].
37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me [Pledge your Allegiance: which produce "disorder, dissension and turmoil].
38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me [Obey: which promotes "selfish ambition" of "earth-bound motives". Can you name one war fought over religion which did not have its roots in "selfish ambition" and "earth-bound motives"?].
39He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. [Sacrifice yourself: like Lemmings and scapegoats to promote "selfish ambition" and "earth-bound motives" that produce Wars, Strife, and Enmity, which produce "disorder, dissension and turmoil" in the world.]
The wisdom of the serpent is not milk. It is so unnatural, it is akin to venom. The body resists it as a natural reaction. The most obvious benefit to man is the serpent venom's role in producing "antivenom" (also known as "antivenin") to help counteract the effects of snake bites. The most well-known method of producing antivenom is a technique referred to by many as the "horse serum" method. Venom is injected into the horse, slowly increasing the amount as the horse builds up antibodies to the venom. Blood is then taken from the animal and the serum containing the antibodies is then separated. Unfortunately about one-third of all recipients have allergic reactions to horse serum. Cryptically, when speaking of the wisdom of the serpent and its transmission to the world, this idea would appear as follows:
"...And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads (1:1)and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth..." Revelation 12:3-4
In archaic ritual, the idea of extracting an antivenom, or a spirit cleansing cure from curses brought about by sin, was ritualistically enacted by the ancient Hebrew tradition of sacrificing a "scapegoat". The "scapegoat" serves as the spiritual "horse", all of Israel's sins [venom] were 'injected' and 'infused' into the goat. The goat dies (or much like a lemming is pushed off of a cliff onto jagged rocks down below), however, the trade off, so it was believed, Israel receives Atonement for their sins.
But what happens.....if the poison or the descent.......doesn't kill the goat?
A dark omen indeed.
Easton's Bible Dictionary has the following to say on this ancient tradition:
Lev. 16:8-26; R.V., "the goat for Azazel" (q.v.), the name given to the goat which was taken away into the wilderness on the day of Atonement (16:20-22).
The priest made atonement over the scapegoat [the horse], laying Israel's guilt upon it, and then sent it away, the goat bearing "upon him all their iniquities unto a
land not inhabited."
At a later period an evasion or modification of the law of Moses was introduced by the Jews. "The goat was conducted to a mountain named Tzuk, situated at a distance of ten Sabbath days' journey, or about six and a half English miles, from Jerusalem. At this place the Judean desert was supposed to commence; and the man in whose charge the goat was sent out, while setting him free, was instructed to push the unhappy beast down the slope of the mountain side, which was so steep as to insure the death of the goat, whose bones were broken by the fall. The reason of this barbarous custom was that on one occasion the scapegoat returned to Jerusalem after being set free, which was considered such an evil omen that its recurrence was prevented for the future by the death of the goat" (Twenty-one Years' Work in the Holy Land). This mountain is now called el-Muntar.
Got milk?
Try Naga Fangzahne
I welcome any comments or questions.
posted by Nagafangzahne at 12:32 PM
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