ADONIA, or Adonic Feasts, were ancient feasts, instituted in honor of Adonis; and observed with great solemnity among the Greeks, Egyptians, etc. See FEAST.
They were begun by the women; who imitated the cries and lamentations of Venus, for the death of her paramour.When they were well weary of this, they changed their notes, and sang his praises; and made rejoicings, as if he were raised to life again: or rather, according to Meursius, these two offices made two distinct feasts, which were held at different times of the year, the one six months after the other; Adonis being said to pass half the year with Persephone, and half with Venus. The feast was also called Salanebon.
ADONIA
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- Written by: Ephraïm Chambers
- Category: Unclassified