The Golden Bough (James George Frazer)

*The Golden Bough* by Sir James George Frazer is a pioneering work of anthropology and comparative religion. It explores similarities in myths, rituals, and beliefs across diverse cultures, especially focusing on ancient fertility rites and sacrificial practices. Frazer argues that early societies believed in a divine king or sacred figure whose death and renewal symbolized nature’s cycles. The book suggests that many religious customs originate from simple agricultural practices and evolving ideas about life, death, and rebirth. Ultimately, it offers insights into how human understanding of the divine and the natural world has developed over time.