Orphism (religion) facts for kids

Orphism was a special kind of religion in ancient Greece. It started around the 7th or 6th century BC, which is a very long time ago! This religion was based on old poems that people believed were written by a legendary musician named Orpheus.

Orphism taught that people needed to become better and purer. They believed that everyone had a good part and a not-so-good part inside them. To get rid of the "not-so-good" part, followers had to perform special rituals and live a very moral life. They also believed in reincarnation, which means that after you die, your soul is reborn into a new body, perhaps many times.

What is Orphism?

Orphism was a "mystery religion." This means its main teachings and rituals were often kept secret from people who were not followers. It was different from the main Greek religion that worshipped gods like Zeus and Hera in public temples. Orphics focused more on the journey of the individual soul.

Who was Orpheus?

Orpheus was a famous musician and poet in Greek myths. People said his music was so beautiful that it could charm animals, trees, and even rocks. He was also known for his journey to the underworld to try and bring his wife, Eurydice, back to life. The poems that Orphism was based on were thought to be written by him, even though they are now lost.

What did Orphics Believe?

Orphism had some unique beliefs that set it apart from other Greek religions. These beliefs focused on the nature of the human soul and how to live a good life.

The Soul and Reincarnation

A core belief in Orphism was that the human soul is divine and immortal. They thought the soul was trapped inside the body, which they saw as a kind of prison. To free the soul, people had to live many lives. This idea is called reincarnation, or the "transmigration of souls." It meant that after death, a soul would be reborn into another body, maybe even an animal's, depending on how well they lived their previous life. The goal was to purify the soul over many lifetimes until it could finally escape the cycle of rebirth and return to its divine origin.

Living a Pure Life

To purify their souls, Orphics followed strict rules. They often avoided eating meat and sometimes even beans. They also practiced special rituals and ceremonies. These actions were meant to cleanse their souls and help them become more like the gods. Living a pure and moral life was very important to them, as it affected their journey through reincarnation.

How Orphism Started

Orphism likely developed in ancient Greece during a time of big changes. It might have been influenced by ideas from other cultures or by earlier Greek thinkers. The exact way it started is a bit of a mystery, just like the religion itself. However, it became quite popular in some areas, especially in southern Italy and Sicily, where many Orphic writings and artifacts have been found.

Images for kids

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  Orphic mosaics were found in many late-Roman villas

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  Gold orphic tablet and case found in Petelia, southern Italy (British Museum)