{"id":110305,"date":"2026-05-11T21:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/?p=110305"},"modified":"2026-05-11T10:58:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T08:58:14","slug":"pagan-values","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/zh\/pagan-values\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Pagan Values That Built Civilization Before the Bible"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-7::before{padding-top:56.34765625%; }img#mv-trellis-img-7{display:block;}<\/style>\n<p>When we talk about the moral foundations of Western society, most people immediately think about the Ten Commandments or Christ&rsquo;s Sermon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s treated as common knowledge that before the biblical law, humanity just stumbled around in a <strong>chaotic dark age<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But that narrative is a lie, and it&rsquo;s very unfair. Before Abraham even existed, ancient pagan societies ran powerful empires and built <strong>advanced civilizations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before the stone tablets, they had values that promoted fairness, community, courage, and honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Appreciation for Life<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-110290\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-18x10.jpeg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-728x410.jpeg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-480x270.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-320x180.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-960x540.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-170x96.jpeg 170w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4.jpeg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20576'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='576'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110290 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4.jpeg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-1024x576.jpeg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-18x10.jpeg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-728x410.jpeg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-480x270.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-320x180.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-960x540.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4-170x96.jpeg 170w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-4.jpeg 1080w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/zh\/\">&copy; Angelynum<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Before monotheistic doctrine led us to view this world as a flawed temporary place, ancient civilizations looked around and saw <strong>sacredness in nature<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To them, this life was it; it was the main event, and it was the very thing they hoped to experience again once they&rsquo;re reborn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They watched the seasons change and animals multiply, and they recognized that survival meant living in tune with the earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They also didn&rsquo;t see the body and the natural world as inherently sinful. Instead, that&rsquo;s exactly where they saw value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They recognized the divine in themselves, their blood, as well as rivers and forests.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This raw appreciation for life meant that murder and destruction were seen as both <strong>legal and spiritual<\/strong> crimes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Hospitality<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-110288\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-18x10.jpeg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-728x410.jpeg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-480x270.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-320x180.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-960x540.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-170x96.jpeg 170w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2.jpeg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20576'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='576'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110288 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2.jpeg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-2\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-1024x576.jpeg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-18x10.jpeg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-728x410.jpeg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-480x270.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-320x180.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-960x540.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2-170x96.jpeg 170w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-2.jpeg 1080w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/zh\/\">&copy; Angelynum<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In ancient times, hospitality wasn&rsquo;t just a thing of politeness, it was the law. Ignoring it meant provoking <strong>divine punishment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The times were harsher, and travelers enjoyed little to no accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finding a place to sleep and replenish your strength before continuing your travels was often a matter of life and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Living with value meant never rejecting a weary traveler from your doorstep, and people took this very seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They believed that the <strong>gods walked the earth<\/strong> disguised as humble beggars or travelers to test people&rsquo;s kindness.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was paramount to feed your guest well, find them a bed, and most importantly, keep them safe under your roof. In exchange, the guest would entertain the household with stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This value created a strong <strong>safety net<\/strong> across the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was an acknowledgment that we&rsquo;re all vulnerable, so it was important to take care of each other.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Living Fully Through Pleasure and Joy<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-108994\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1008\" height=\"672\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beltane-full-moon-2026-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-108994\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beltane-full-moon-2026-3.jpg 1008w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beltane-full-moon-2026-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beltane-full-moon-2026-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beltane-full-moon-2026-3-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beltane-full-moon-2026-3-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beltane-full-moon-2026-3-170x113.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1008\" height=\"672\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201008%20672'%3E%3Crect%20width='1008'%20height='672'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-108994 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beltane-full-moon-2026-3.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-3\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beltane-full-moon-2026-3.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beltane-full-moon-2026-3.jpg 1008w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beltane-full-moon-2026-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beltane-full-moon-2026-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beltane-full-moon-2026-3-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beltane-full-moon-2026-3-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/beltane-full-moon-2026-3-170x113.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freepik.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; Freepik<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Contrary to the later purity culture, pagan societies took joy to insane levels. Food, drinks, music, laughter, and intimacy were all <strong>expressions of the divine<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pleasure was one of the values because ancient peoples understood that the gods gave them the ability to experience such things for a reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To deny yourself joy or to hold back from pleasure was seen as turning your back on the gift of the creators who provided a beautiful world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like prayer, overindulgence was a <strong>communion<\/strong> with the divine, and in special occasions, it reached the point of debauchery.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. The Law of Reciprocity<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-110286\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"pagan value\" class=\"wp-image-110286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-18x10.jpeg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-728x410.jpeg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-480x270.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-320x180.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-960x540.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-170x96.jpeg 170w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1.jpeg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20576'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='576'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"pagan value\" class=\"wp-image-110286 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1.jpeg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-4\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-1024x576.jpeg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-18x10.jpeg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-728x410.jpeg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-480x270.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-320x180.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-960x540.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-170x96.jpeg 170w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1.jpeg 1080w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/zh\/\">&copy; Angelynum<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Many pagan societies operated under the law of reciprocity. It was simple: <strong>you take, you repay<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This was the fundamental value that held their communities together.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a farmer&rsquo;s crop failed, his neighbors didn&rsquo;t dwell on the details; they helped because that could happen to them, and they knew that the only way out of that situation was the help of the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And this value extended beyond human relationships.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When people killed an animal for food or chopped down a tree, they made <strong>offerings to the earth<\/strong>. They understood that you can&rsquo;t take from nature without giving something back.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Balance was a priority, because they knew that if you consume and never replenish, the whole system collapses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. The Communal Treasury<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-110289\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-18x10.jpeg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-728x410.jpeg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-480x270.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-320x180.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-960x540.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-170x96.jpeg 170w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3.jpeg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20576'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='576'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110289 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3.jpeg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-5\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-1024x576.jpeg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-18x10.jpeg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-728x410.jpeg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-480x270.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-320x180.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-960x540.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3-170x96.jpeg 170w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-3.jpeg 1080w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/zh\/\">&copy; Angelynum<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In ancient times, survival of the community relied on the idea of a common treasury. Resources were gathered for the good of the whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The leader or king of a primitive settlement wasn&rsquo;t the one to hoard all the wealth; he was the distributor, making sure that <strong>no one starves<\/strong> under his rule.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People shared grazing lands, wells, forests, and food barns.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anyone could use what the community provided, but no one had the right to hoard it at the expense of their neighbors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sharing and fairness were the values the whole community lived by, and they were sustainable because the communities were smaller and more <strong>close-knit<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Back in the day, people understood that a sick and starving underclass dragged down the entire civilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. A Fierce Sense of Honor<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-110308\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110308\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-18x10.jpeg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-728x410.jpeg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-480x270.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-320x180.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-960x540.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-170x96.jpeg 170w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5.jpeg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20576'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='576'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110308 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5.jpeg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-6\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-1024x576.jpeg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-18x10.jpeg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-728x410.jpeg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-480x270.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-320x180.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-960x540.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5-170x96.jpeg 170w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-5.jpeg 1080w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/zh\/\">&copy; Angelynum<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Ancient pagans lived by a sense of honor that governed every single thing they did.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their word was their bond, and if they broke it, they did so at the cost of their entire family, reputation, and even risked <strong>divine wrath<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dishonor<\/strong> of a single family member lingered around for <strong>generations<\/strong>, ensuring that even their grandchildren wouldn&rsquo;t be trusted unless they went far and beyond to prove themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This fierce commitment to personal integrity created stable societies. People knew exactly where they stood with each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This value was one way of maintaining the cosmic balance in everyday life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Sovereignty<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-110287\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110287\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-728x410.jpg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-960x541.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-1080x608.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-170x96.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20577'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='577'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110287 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-1024x577.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-728x410.jpg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-960x541.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-1080x608.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pagan-values-1-170x96.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/zh\/\">&copy; Angelynum<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Before divine right of kings became a thing, ancient Celts, Germans, and other tribal peoples believed that sovereignty was <strong>given by the land<\/strong> itself, usually personified as a goddess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A leader didn&rsquo;t have a birthright; he had to prove that he would nourish and protect the land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a king became greedy and corrupt, people looked for the signs in the nature and farmland; droughts, failed crops, cattle death, and pestilence were signs that the land rejected him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sovereignty also applied to the individual. Every free person had a right to their own <strong>bodily autonomy<\/strong> and self-determination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The value and power came from the land and people, not a distant deity. This often considered the true root of human freedom.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When we talk about the moral foundations of Western society, most people immediately think about the Ten Commandments or Christ&rsquo;s Sermon. It&rsquo;s treated as common &hellip;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":110287,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"syndication_tool_enabled":true,"syndication_tool_title":"","syndication_tool_excerpt":"","syndication_tool_featured_image":0,"syndication_tool_publish_date":"","syndication_tool_schema_types":["article"],"syndication_tool_backlink_enable":false,"syndication_tool_ai_disclosure_enable":false,"disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"Article","disable-critical-css":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[208,182],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-110305","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-history","category-lifestyle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110305","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=110305"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110305\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":111113,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110305\/revisions\/111113"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/110287"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=110305"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=110305"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/zh\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=110305"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}