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The Female Divine in Contemporary Culture

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The Female Divine in Contemporary Culture
Uknown Unknown
HUM/105
February 17, 1999
Unknown

In Greek mythology, female goddesses are known for their ability to impact the world with their life-giving forces and are believed to be the mothers of Earth. Many mythical stories have been passed down through many generations as to how female goddesses came to be. They are portrayed to be nurturing, loving, and peaceful goddesses who healed what was wounded and loved what was unloved. In the article, The Second Coming of Diana (Diana, Princess of Wales), Princess Diana is compared to the Greek female goddesses. Princess Diana was known for her kind generosity and willingness to use the great power she possessed to help people in desperation. Diana Spencer (also known as Princess Diana), wife of Prince Charles and mother of two sons, was a well-known woman who loved to help people all over the world who were less fortunate than her. Though she was British royalty, she never believed she was superior to others beneath her level. She had a remarkable hold on the public, worldwide, that remains a mystery to some people. The mystery, whether it is religious or a ritual, which people still have of Princess Diana, connects to the ancient myth and representations of the world Goddess Diana. When Princess Diana’s death became news to the world, many different countries held sacred ceremonies to recognize her passing. A group of Aboriginal people at Millingibini performed a ritual dance for Diana’s death. A year later, a Spanish-language television network featured a story of indigenous Peruvians incorporating the princess’ image into a religious ceremony and tendering offerings to that image. These religious ceremonies attributing to Diana’s death can be recognized as modern, mythic-religious behaviors. Visual artists merge Diana’s image with the Virgin Mary, Mona Lisa, and Cinderella. Princess Diana is compared to the Roman Goddess Diana due to their nurturing and natured personalities. Dr. Christiane Northrup, author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, writes in her monthly newsletter: "In a world saturated by the male point of view, Diana's life represented feminine wisdom, beauty, vulnerability and nurturing” (1997, 1). Although Princess Diana had her own personal issues going on, she still made time to help raise AIDS awareness and homelessness. She used her fame and power to bring attention to the needs of the forgotten and needy of the world. She was and still is portrayed as the female divine in contemporary culture.

References
Caputi, J. (1999). The Second Coming of Diana. (Diana, Princess of Wales)
NWSA, Vol. 11 (2), p103.

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