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Encyclopedia Britannica



INCANTATION

This article appears in Volume V14, Page 348 of the Encyclopedia Britannica.

Encyclopedia Britannica - Main :: I27-INV
INCANTATION , the use of words, spoken, sung or chanted, usually as a set
formula
 , for the purpose of obtaining a result by their supposed magical power. The word is derived from the Latin incantare, to
chant
  a magical
formula
 ; cf. the use of carmen, for such a formula of words. The Latin use is very early; thus it appears in a fragment of the XII. Tables quoted in Pliny (V.H. xxviii. 2, 4, 17), " Qui malum carmen incantasset." From the O. Fr. derivative of incantare, enchanter, comes " enchant," " enchantment," &c., properly of the exercise of magical
powers
 , hence to charm, to fascinate, words which also by origin are of magical significance. The early magi of Assyria and Babylonia were adepts at this art, as is evident from the examples of Akkadian spells that have been discovered. Daniel (v. II) is spoken of as " master of the enchanters " of Babylon. In
Egypt
  and in India many formulas of religious magic were in use,
witness
  especially the Vedic mantras, which are closely akin to the Maori karakias and the North American matamanik. Among the holy men presented by the king of
Korea
  to the mikado of Japan in A.D. 577 was a reciter of mantras, who would find himself at
home
  with the majinahi or incantation practised by the ancient Japanese for dissipating evil influences. One of the most common, widespread and persistent uses of incantation was in healing wounds, instances of which are found in the Odyssey and the Kalcvala, and in the traditional folk-
lore
  of almost every European country. Similar songs were sung to win back a faithless lover (cf. the second Idyll of Theocritus).
See further MAGIC. -


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