Lenin’s Mausoleum: Where Politics Meets Sacred Symbolism
Lenin’s stay in the mausoleum can be interpreted as a unique combination of political ideology and religious symbolism. On one hand, the preservation of his body turns it into something akin to an idol, venerated with ritual significance, as confirmed by the statement: "It would seem that the situation has changed, one should bury Ilyich, remove those stars, yet everything remains in its place. Because all of this holds ritual significance for many people. Lenin lies like some kind of idol, and they recite this rote mantra: 'Lenin lived, Lenin lives, Lenin will live.'
What is this, some kind of zombie?Why is he alive, why will he live? Why preserve his body if they do not believe in an afterlife?" (source: link txt).On the other hand, it is precisely in this sacred guise that the political messianic symbolism is revealed, where Lenin’s persona is perceived not only as an outstanding political figure, but also as a symbol awaiting the fulfillment of the prophecy of Christ’s Second Coming. As noted in another source: "With the onset of the schism, the very essence of Russian identity began to split: the consciousness of a purely spiritual calling, once held by the Old Believers, started being replaced by messianism understood as a providential political mission. In this way, Lenin’s image existed as both a political and spiritual symbol, awaiting the Second Coming of Christ." (source: link txt).Thus, the mausoleum becomes a place where political mythology and religious-providential expectations mingle. On one hand, the cult of Lenin supports the idea of the eternal life of his image, which symbolically continues to live through rituals and slogans, and on the other, this practice is imbued with mystical and messianic characteristics, allowing him to be seen not only as a historical figure but also as a symbol of hope or even salvation in the forthcoming transformations.