Principia Discordia facts for kids

The Principia Discordia is a special book that talks about a playful and sometimes silly way of looking at the world called Discordianism. It's like a rulebook for a made-up religion, but it's mostly for fun and to make people think differently. This book was written by two friends, Greg Hill and Kerry Thornley, who used funny pen names: Malaclypse The Younger and Omar Khayyam Ravenhurst. It was first printed in 1965, and only a very small number of copies were made back then.

What is the Principia Discordia?

The Principia Discordia is a book that mixes serious ideas with lots of humor and silliness. It's often called a "sacred text" for Discordianism, which isn't a serious religion in the usual way. Instead, Discordianism uses jokes and strange ideas to make people question rules, order, and how they see the world. The book suggests that chaos and disorder are just as important as order.

Who Wrote It?

The main writers of the Principia Discordia were two friends:

• Greg Hill, who used the pen name Malaclypse The Younger.
• Kerry Thornley, who used the pen name Omar Khayyam Ravenhurst.

They created this book together, sharing their unique ideas and sense of humor. They wanted to create something that would challenge people's minds and make them laugh.

What is Discordianism?

Discordianism is a way of thinking that uses humor and strange ideas to explore the world. It's not a traditional religion with strict rules or a single god. Instead, it celebrates chaos, confusion, and the unexpected. Discordians believe that life is full of both order and disorder, and that both are important. They often use jokes and pranks to make people think about serious topics in a new way.

The Goddess Eris

The main "goddess" in Discordianism is Eris. She is known as the Greek goddess of discord, strife, and chaos. The Principia Discordia says that Eris was forgotten and ignored, which caused too much order in the world. Discordians believe that bringing back a little bit of chaos, like Eris represents, can make things more balanced and interesting. Her symbol is often shown as a golden apple.

The Sacred Chao

A very important symbol in Discordianism is the Sacred Chao. It looks like the well-known Yin and Yang symbol, but with a slight difference. The Sacred Chao has a "Pentagon" (a shape with five sides) on one side and an "Apple" on the other. This symbol represents the idea that both order (the Pentagon) and disorder (the Apple) are equally important and exist together in the universe. It shows that chaos and order are not opposites but two parts of the same thing.

Why Was It Written?

The Principia Discordia was written to make people think differently about society, rules, and how things are organized. The authors wanted to challenge serious ideas with humor and show that sometimes, a little bit of chaos can be a good thing. They believed that too much order could make life boring or unfair. The book encourages people to question authority and to find their own way of understanding the world. It's meant to be a fun way to explore philosophy and religion.

How Was It Published?

The very first version of the Principia Discordia was printed in 1965. It was a very small edition, with only 5 copies made. These first copies were printed by hand. Over the years, the book was reprinted by different groups and became more widely known. It was often shared freely, fitting with the book's playful and anti-establishment spirit.

Images for kids

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  Golden Apple, symbol of Eris, Our Lady of Discord

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  POEE Symbol

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  The Sacred Chao

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  NARA Cover sheet for the alleged First Edition

In Spanish: Principia Discordia para niños