The Mithraic myth describes how Mithras took a bull into a cave and cut its throat he bringing about the creation of life on earth; the first plants and animals sprang up from the bull's blood and semen. Usksider has asked me if the bull was just a symbol of strength in Mithraism, but I believe it was more than that.
In Mithraism the bull is a symbol of Spring, death and resurrection. It is also worth noting that during the Spring equinox the constellation of the bull (Taurus) can be seen. Mithras is often depicted cleansing himself in the blood of the bull as it was believed that washing in the bull’s blood brought eternal life and salvation. It was also believed that life could be created from eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the sacrificed bull.
A rite called the ‘taurobolium’ was used to baptise initiates into the cult of Mithras. The initiate was placed in a trench under a patterned roof whereupon the bull would be led on top of the roof where its throat would be cut. As the bull’s blood fell upon the initiate it was believed that it would purify him and lead him to be symbolically reborn into eternal life. The baptised initiates were then worshipped by their fellow cult members as semi-divine beings.
Mithras was believed to continually give up his own life in the form of bull sacrifices in order to bring about peace.
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Bull's Blood wine
The town of Eger in 1552 only achieved lasting fame when 2,000 soldiers led by Captain Istvan Dobo withstood a month-long siege to successfully defend the strategically vital fortress from the onslaught of 150,000 Turkish troops. In fact, by thwarting the Ottomans advance Dobo and his men completely halted the Empire's invasion of Western Europe. During the siege, the citizens of Eger opened their wine cellars and drank red wine to give them strength to fight off the Turks. The wine spilled over their beards and onto their armor, coloring them blood red. As the citizens continued their valiant fight against the invading Turks, word spread quickly that the Hungarians were drinking the blood of bulls to make themselves strong and fierce. The superstitious Turks were fearful and demoralized. As a result, the siege was broken