An ancient Greek mystery religion arising in the sixth century bc from a synthesis of pre-Hellenic beliefs with the Thracian cult of Zagreus and soon becoming mingled with the Eleusinian mysteries and the doctrines of Pythagoras.
noun
0
0
A short-lived movement in early 20th-century painting, derived from cubism but marked by a lyrical style and the use of bold color.
noun
0
0
The rites and religion ascribed to Orpheus as founder.
noun
0
0
Advertisement
Origin of orphism
French orphismefromOrphéeOrpheusfrom Greek Orpheus
From
American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Orphism Sentence Examples
Both inculcated a peculiar kind of ascetic life; both had a mystical speculative theory of religion, with purificatory rites, abstinence from beans, &c.; but Orphism was more especially religious, while Pythagoreanism, at least originally, inclined more to be a political and philosophical creed.
It does not appear, however, that a regularly organized or numerous Orphic sect ever existed, nor that Orphism ever became popular; it was too abstract, too full of symbolism.
Of more modern writings on Orpheus and Orphism the following may be consulted.
Epimenides must be reckoned with Melampus and Onomacritus as one of the founders of Orphism.
The doctrine established itself in Greek theology under the influence of Orphism, and supplied Plato with mythic forms for his " criticism of life."