The Cult of the Black Virgin (Arkana) (Paperback)

~ Ean Begg (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Why do some of the most famous statues of the Madonna in Western Europeand more than 450 images around the worldhave faces and hands that are black? And why is such a surprising phenomenon so little known? Ean Begg's groundbreaking investigation of the subject is now updated to include a substantial new Foreword, appendix, and a comprehensive directory to help readers locate sites where black Virgins can be found.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Rep Sub edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140195106
• ISBN-13: 978-0140195101
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #856,923 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All you need to know, December 23, 1999

By	O. B. Makhubela (South Africa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is very detailed and most informative when it comes to the black madonna cult. It deals with almost everything, if not all, of the ancient goddesses, and some of the gods - from Egypt to Greece. I also got very eerie when I was reading about some of these Goddesses activities. I liked very much the summary on the relevance and relationship of The Templars, Cathars to the Black Goddesses cult! The author also touches the crux of Gnosticism and shows how it relates to the above three Orders. Its conclusion regarding why the statues of the virgin are black, is not that explicit, but during the whole text the author does inform the reader of all the reasons as to its blackness, and indeed you will draw your conclusions! All in all, a very good book on the subject. Get it!

59 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More Myth Than Fact, June 6, 2000

By	G. DeRome "minister-of-truth" (Greendale, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was disappointed that this short book (the text is only about 150 pp) was more about the myths concerning everything from Sumerian goddesses to Marian apparitions than about history and fact concerning the Black Virgin (BV) sites. The author mixes myth and fact so much that is hard to tell what he believes to be true and real. There is nothing wrong with exploring myths, but it makes difficult reading trying to constantly separate them from any kernels of fact that may be there.

I was looking for more on reasons and history of the BV sites in Europe. Maybe their origins are so obscured in history as to make this an impossible task.

The bulk of the book is a gazetteer of the BV sites in Europe. For anyone who plans to travel in Europe -As I plan to soon, this would be valuable to have along.

There is some information concerning the Templars, Mary Magdalene, Bernard de Clairveaux, and others, but there are many better books on these subjects. I would recommend: Holy Blood, Holy Grail; The Woman With the Alabaster Jar, and The Second Messiah for starters.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating but tough reading, January 1, 2005

By	James L. Throne "Jim Throne" (Dunedin, Florida United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are fascinated with the goings-on of early Christianity and have been following the growing litany of books - both semi-serious (Holy Blood, Holy Grail) or fanciful (Da Vinci Code) - this book belongs on your reading list.

Make no mistake about this work. It is a serious treatise, with a focus on the historical sources of the cult of the Black Virgin. The author notes that many of the more than 500 images of the Black Virgin found in Western Europe in general and France in particular were created around the time of the Crusades (1100-1300). He draws some interesting parallels between Catharism, the Knights Templar, and the quest for the holy grail. He also discusses the Mergovingian dynasty and even the Abbe Sauniere (who is featured so prominently in current fiction). But the general thrust and importance of this work is to identify the locations and possible origins of the Black Virgin icons. Begg's writing is dense, dispassionate, and frankly tough going in many spots. His gazeteer and maps are of great importance for those interested in this aspect of religious history, whether or not you're a believer.