Technikatörténeti szemle 27. (2005-06)

Harangtörténeti tanulmányok - Turok Margit: Gondolatok a harang és a harangozás jelentésének, közösségi szerepének értelmezéséhez

MARGIT TUROK: SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THE INTERPRETATION OF THE MEANING, AND ROLE IN COMMUNAL LIFE, OF BELLS AND TOLLING OF BELLS In ancient times churches and bells were believed to play an important role in keeping people healthy and intact. In order to achieve this, permanent contacts with the "metaworld" (the world of spirits) were thought to be indispensable. Human activities and deeds could succeed only if they obtained benediction (sacraments). Cults related to bells, and myths born around them as well as the explanation of secrets had their roots in this ancient belief/knowledge. The final aim of today's man equally is rising to the absolute, he seeks the adequate way of passage to achieve it. Right decoding of the messages of human culture might help us in this endeavour.