Indo-European Function Triads
Indo-European society was divided into three "functions" by Georges Dumézil. With this came many speculations regarding what could be associated with those divisions. Whether the theory is ideal or not, it does make an intersting tool, so provided here is a table that lists many of the functions and associations.
Association | First Function | Second Function | Third Function |
Key | The Sacred | Physical Force | Prosperity |
Deities | Sky Father | War God | Forger/Creative/Fertile God |
Macrocosm | Heaven | Atmosphere | Earth |
Mesocosm | Priests | Warriors | Food Producers |
Microcosm 1 | Head | Upper Body | Lower Body |
Microcosm 2 | Head | Right Side | Left Side |
Colours | White | Red | Black |
Animals | Bull | Ram | He-goat |
Virtues 1 | Wisdom | Courage | Temperance |
Virtues 2 (Plato) | Religious Zeal | Heroic Valor | Generosity |
Seasons | Spring | Summer | Winter |
Thoughts | Rational | Spirited | Appetitive |
Disposition | Mean (avg.) | Active | Passive |
Wetness | Mean (avg.) | Dry | Wet |
Element | Air | Fire | Water |
Music | Middle Note | High Note | Low Note |
Medicine | Spell-Medicine | Knife-Medicine | Herb-Medicine |
Moon Phase | Crescent | Later Waxing | Waning |
Many of these may be found in: Lyle, Emily. "Dumezil's Three Functions and Indo-European Cosmic Structure." Hisotry of Relgions. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. Vol. 22, no. 1 (Aug. 1982) p. 25-44.
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