Response

The origins of the circus can be traced back to ancient pagan rites and festivals, which celebrated various aspects of life and nature, often incorporating elements of the Old Religion. For instance, medieval processions and carnivals were influenced by pagan festivities such as the Goddess Carna, who was associated with "re-in-Carnations" and cyclic existence. One of these celebrations, the summer solstice festival, involved turning wheels to represent the cycles of nature and existence. This concept can be traced back to the vision of eastern temples as gigantic world-chariots, complete with wheels, where the god was enthroned. In their chariots, the gods participated in the Carnival of Existence, carrying the world along with all its living forms. Upon identification with the god, sages said, "He who has seen his true self looks down upon transmigrating existence as upon a rolling chariot-wheel.