SACRED COKDS. 567 



The sacred thread and garment which were worn by all the perfect 

 among the Cathari, and the use of which by both Zends and Brahmans 

 shows that its origin is to be traced back to a pre-historic period. 1 



&quot; No religious rite can be performed by a (child) before he has been 

 girt with the sacred girdle, since he is on a level with a Sudra before 

 his (new) birth from the Veda. 



In explaining the rules of external purification that is, purification 

 in which water is the medium Haudhayana says : 3 



The sacrificial thread (shall be made) of Kusa grass, or cotton, (and consist) of 

 thrice three strings. 



(It shall hang down) to the navel. 



(In putting it on) he shall raise the right arm, lower the left, and lower the head. 



The contrary (is done at sacrifices) to the manes. 



(If the thread is) suspended around the neck (it is called) nivita. 



(If it is) suspended below (the navel, it is called) adhopavita. 



A former use of sacred cords would seem to be suggested in the con 

 stant appearance of the belief in the mystical properties and the power 

 for good or evil of the knots which constitute the characteristic append 

 age of these cords. This belief has been confined to no race or people; 

 it springs up in the literature of the whole world and survives with a 

 pertinacity which is remarkable among the peasantry of Europe and 

 among many in both America and Europe who would not hesitate to 

 express resentment were they to be included among the illiterate. 



The powers of these knots were recognized especially in strengthening 

 or defeating love, as aiding women in labor, and in other ways which 

 prove them to be cousins-germau to the magic knots with which the 

 medicine-men of the Lapps and other nations along the shores of the 

 Baltic were supposed to be able to raise or allay the tempest. &quot; One of 

 the torments with which witchcraft worried men was the Knot by which 

 a man was withheld so that he could not work his will with a woman. 

 It was called in the Latin of the times Nodus and Obligamentum, and 

 appears in the glossaries, translated by the Saxons into lyb, drug.&quot; 

 &quot;To make a ligatura is pronounced detestable by Theodorns, Arch 

 bishop of Canterbury, in G08. The knot is still known in France, and 

 Nouer 1 aiguillette is a resort of ill-will.&quot; Then is given the adventure 

 of Hrut, prince of Iceland, and his bride Gunuhilld, princess of Nor 

 way, by whom a &quot;knot&quot; was duly tied to preserve his fidelity during 

 his absence. 4 &quot;Traces of this philosophy are to be found elsewhere,&quot; 

 (references are given from Pliny and Galens in regard to &quot;nod&quot;). 5 

 &quot; A knot among the ancient northern nations seems to have been the 

 symbol of love, faith, and friendship, pointing out the indissoluble tie 

 of affection and duty. Thus the ancient Eunic inscriptions, as we 

 gather from Hickes s Thesaurus, are in the form of a knot. Hence, 



1 Henry Charles Lea, History of the Inquisition in the Middle Ages, vol. 1, p. 92, New York, 1888. 

 iliiller, Sacred Books of the East, vol. 14, VasislKAa, cap. 2, pur 6. 

 Ibid., Baudhayaua, prasna 1, adhyaya 5, kaudika 8, pars. 5-10, p. 105. 



4 Saxnn Leechdoms, vol. 1, pp. xli-xliii. 



5 IbiiL. p. xliii. 



