A Brief History of Body Worship

Unraveling the Historical Tapestry from Ancient Greece to Modern Times

In an era dominated by image-centric culture and the pursuit of physical perfection, it's crucial to explore the roots of our obsession with beauty and the human body. From the ancient Greeks' reverence for athletic physiques to the Rubensesque hourglass, to modern-day celebrations of gym fitness, body worship festivals have endured and evolved throughout history. Join us as we embark on a journey through time, tracing the origins, transformations, and cultural implications of these celebrations.

Ancient Greece: An Olympian Legacy:

Our narrative begins in ancient Greece, where the Olympic Games reigned supreme. Beyond their athletic significance, these competitions symbolized an exaltation of the human form, both divine and mortal. Athletes, regarded as demigods, became idols worshipped for their physical prowess. The games were not merely a sporting event but a festival encompassing music, arts, and rituals venerating the human physique.

So revered was the divine human form that sporting festivals were held in its honor. Greeks would gather together to marvel at the bodies of athletes, glistening with sweat after intense competitions. These events were not only meant to showcase physical prowess but were a testament to the cultural significance of physical beauty. This can still be seen in museums and history books, recorded by Greek artisans for all time in stone, pottery, and mosaics, written in philosophy, poems, and in illustration.

The Renaissance: Artistry Meets

Idealism: taste and "English values." It was the era of extreme prudishness, where the idea of nudity was scandalous and often viewed as vulgar, and shameful. Though the arts still flourished and for a generation, it was Ruben’s style of curvy hourglass figure that became the apex of feminine beauty.

Fast forward to the Renaissance, an era marked by a renewed fascination with classical antiquity. Artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci turned their attention to the human body, studying anatomy and striving for ideal proportions. The artistic celebration of the body gained momentum, and alongside it emerged festivals where models, displaying a perfect physique, were revered as living embodiments of aesthetic ideals.

Circuses and Strongman Spectacles:

The 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed the rise in popularity of circuses and traveling shows that celebrated physical strength and acrobatics. Audiences flocked to see these extraordinary displays of athleticism, their applause and adoration testament to the enduring appeal of the human body in motion. These spectacles provided a temporary escape from the monotony of everyday life, a carnival-like celebration of superhuman physicality. It was this idealized “strongman” image that inspired the chiseled chin, broad shoulders, and stoicism of Siegal and Shuster’s Superman, first published in 1938.

The Fitness Revolution:

As the world transitioned into the modern age, a newfound emphasis on health and fitness emerged, swelling gym subscription numbers. Bodybuilding pioneers like Eugen Sandow and Charles Atlas gained fame by sculpting their bodies into living works of art. The cult of the physique found expression in organized bodybuilding competitions, which eventually evolved into fitness festivals where participants and attendees worshipped the perfectly chiseled human form.

Through the Victorian era, modesty and pietistic values prevailed, and bodies were covered up in an effort to preserve good

No one has done more over the last 50 years to popularize health, fitness, and elevating bodybuilding to an art form than Arnold Schwarzenegger. He began lifting weights at the age of 15 and went on to win the Mr. Universe title at age 20 and subsequently won the Mr. Olympia title seven times. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. Female bodybuilders rose to a similar professional status to their male counterparts, including Iris Kyle, who to date has won seventeen major titles.

Contemporary Body Worship: Fitness Expos and Body Positivity:

Today, body worship festivals have expanded beyond the realm of professional bodybuilding. Fitness expos gather enthusiasts of all shapes and sizes to celebrate wellness, strength, and self-improvement. These events have become a melting pot of fitness disciplines, promoting inclusivity and body positivity. They emphasize that body worship is not limited to a single ideal, but rather embraces diversity and personal empowerment.

Body worship festivals now take place all over the world, celebrating all body types, cultures, races, and genders. It is easy to see how the past influences the present, as these festivals often combine music, the arts, dance, performance, and competition, with the worship of beauty. A chance to celebrate cultural identity, as well as promote shared values. These festivals have become a symbol of human progress and acceptance in a world that often pressures people to conform, abandon individualism, and accept uniformity.

Cultural Implications:

In conclusion, the history of body worship throughout the ages has been a fascinating journey. From the ancient Greeks to the modern-day, the concept of the ideal body type has evolved and changed with the times. While body worship festivals can be seen as a celebration of the human form and its infinite potential, they also raise questions about societal beauty standards, body image, and the impact of media influence. Critics argue that these festivals perpetuate unrealistic expectations, fostering unhealthy body obsessions. However, proponents contend that they provide a platform for self-expression, motivation, and camaraderie. The present-day online body-worshipping culture still treasures the naked, human form - sculptured, shaped, or curvier and more natural, and celebrates the beauty of all body types. Body worship is essentially a celebration of life, of the diversity of sizes and shapes, genders and races. We must continue to embrace and celebrate the beauty of all bodies and foster self-love, acceptance, and healthy habits regardless of where we are on the manifold spectrum of sizes and shapes.

Vive la différence!

-The French