Liver

The liver, as the name suggests (in many European languages), is associated with life, as Jung notes when he recounts a dream that takes place in Liverpool in his autobiography (1983, p. 223f).

In various traditions, both in Europe and the Middle East, there is a connection between the liver, hot temperament and emotions, but also the very life force itself. The liver is the "bloodiest" organ and shares the symbolism of blood (which made it popular for divination).

The latter association is well illustrated by the eagle and Prometheus, where the former pecks the "life force" out of the hero every day as punishment for stealing fire from the gods and giving it to humanity.

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