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Originally Posted by uuelisabeth
(Additionally, it is also a misnomer in Sanskrit--it translates to "vagina", which only names what is inside and not the outside genitalia that a little girl can see, touch and feel.)
(Edited to add commentary on Sanskrit translation, thanks to my linguist dh!)
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Strange, I studied Sanskrit for about 4 years in grade school and 2 in college and grew up immersed in Hindu/Vedic culture. My understanding of yoni has always been that it is a word that represents the entire female genitalia and reproductive system. The Shiva Lingam is worshipped protruding erect from Parvati's yoni. If yoni just meant vagina, there would be no need for the base that the penis is standing on. Also, the lingam is considered to be inside of Parvati's yoni and therefore it also represents her womb and the universe. Here's a photo of a shiva lingam:
http://www.amma-europe.org/shared/sana_img/lingam.gif
On the topic of this thread:
I don't use yoni because it feels strange to me to use a non-english term when my son has english terms for his genitalia. I was raised saying genitals and it always felt awkward to me. I used to say vulva to my daughter but I'm pregnant and my kids keep asking where the baby is coming out. I point and tell them that baby comes out of my vagina. She now calls hers vagina or peepee (since that's where her peepee comes out). My son says vaginas look like bottoms. LOL. He creates his own words for his genitals. He does say penis but prefers to call his scrotum balls. He asked me if he could have another ball so he could have 3 balls, the other day.
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