Chastity

Chastity

See also Modesty, Purity, Virginity.

Agnes, St.

virgin saint and martyr. [Christian Hagiog.: Brewster, 76]

Artemis

(Rom. Diana) moon goddess; virgin huntress. [Gk. Myth.: Kravitz, 36]

Bona Dea

goddess; so chaste no one but husband sees her after marriage. [Rom. Myth.: Zimmerman, 43]

Britomart

embodiment of purity. [Br. Lit.: Faerie Queene]

Claudia

proves innocence by rescuing goddess’ ship. [Rom. Myth.: Hall, 70]

Cunegunda

proves innocence by walking unharmed on hot ploughshares. [Christian Hagiog.: Hall, 86]

Gawain, Sir

remained chaste despite the temptations offered him each night by his hostess. [Br. Lit.: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in Benét, 934]

Joseph

resisted the advances of Potiphar’s wife. [O.T.: Gen. 39]

lapis lazuli

emblem of sexual purity. [Gem Symbolism: Kunz, 370]

mirror of Alasnam

by clearness or opacity shows woman’s purity. [Arab. Lit.: Arabian Nights, “The Tale of Zayn Alasnam” ]

orange blossoms

symbolic of chastity when used in wedding ceremonies. [Flower Symbolism: Flora Symbolica, 176]

phoenix

in Middle Ages, attribute of chastity personified. [Art: Hall, 246]

sapphire

emblem of sexual purity. [Gem Symbolism: Kunz, 370]

tortoise

symbol of sexual purity. [Animal Symbolism: Mercatante, 21]

unicorn

capturable only by virgins; thus, a test of chastity. [Christian Symbolism: Appleton, 105]

Venus Verticordia

Venus invoked to make women pure once more. [Rom. Myth.: Brewer Dictionary, 1126]

Allusions—Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.