Thicker Than Water The Origins of Blood as Ritual and Symbol

Filling a large gap in the cultural studies of the human body, "Thicker Than Water" illustrates the beliefs and rituals surrounding blood from a range of regional and religious contexts throughout human history. Starting with ancient cave paintings and tracing her way through modern genetic research, Meyer reveals the history of blood's meaning across cultures from pre-historic times to the present day. Comprehensive in its scope, and provocative in its argument, this book contains everything you ever wanted to know about blood symbols and rituals; from the earliest surviving human symbolism of the hunt and the Jewish bris, to the clitoridectomies given to young girls in parts of Africa today. The details given in "Thicker Than Water" will fascinate readers and students the world over.