Download or read book Rites and Symbols of Initiation written by Mircea Eliade and published by HarperCollins Publishers. This book was released on 1965 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: First published 1958; preparation of sacred ground, separation from women; Kurnai initiation mystery; tooth avulsion Yuin, Murring & Waradjuri, initiatory ordeals, symbolic death, tossing of novices (Arunta), throwing fire; bullroarers & circumcision, symbolism of subincision; female initiation Arnhem Land; Kunapipi cult & ritual exchange of wives; medicine men, initiatory death, Arunta, Unmatjera and Western Desert tribes; use of magical substances, quartz crystals, pearl shell, spirit snakes; Asiatic influence apparent; Melanesian mummification; comparisons with Indian & Tibetan yogis; many authors quoted; bibliography.