The Golden Bough (James Frazer)

"The Golden Bough" by Sir James Frazer is a groundbreaking comparative study of ancient religions and myths. It explores common themes across diverse cultures, such as fertility rites, magic, and rituals, suggesting that early societies believed in a sacred king or figure whose death and resurrection symbolized nature’s cycles. Frazer examines how these beliefs influenced religious practices, showing that many customs are rooted in shared human efforts to understand and influence the natural world. The work highlights the universal pattern of myth and ritual as attempts to explain and manage life’s fundamental mysteries.