The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion (Third Edition, Vol. 03 of 12)

"The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion" by James George Frazer is an early 20th-century exploration of magic, religion, and taboo in different societies, revealing how these ideas shape social systems and beliefs while focusing on the meaning of taboos, especially those linked to rulers and priests, and their effects on human behavior and community structures. This volume starts by introducing the idea of taboo, based on Polynesian culture, and shows how it greatly affects religious, social, and political life. The book then discusses the difficulties faced by leaders and religious figures, who are often seen as god-like and whose actions greatly affect their people and uses Japan and West Africa to show how these important roles include strict rules meant to protect leaders' lives for everyone's benefit, setting the ground for a closer look at how these beliefs show themselves in rituals and traditions around the world.