pyromancy
Quick Summary
Pyromancy is an occult practice involving divination by means of fire or flames. The term originates from the Greek words "pyr" (fire) and "manteia" (divination). This practice has been documented since the 14th century.12
Fire itself is seen as a powerful transformer, capable of changing raw ingredients into edible food, base metals into useful ones, and barren land into fertile soil. Due to these symbolic properties, fire is frequently incorporated into purification rites across various cultures. These rites can involve walking over embers, jumping through flames, or using smoke and ashes for cleansing. Participants in fire-walking ceremonies often believe that their faith protects them from burns, and the practice can be undertaken to prove innocence or fulfill vows.34
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
- augury
…(geomancy), fire and smoke (pyromancy), the shoulder blades of animals (scapulimancy), entrails of sacrificed animals (haruspicy), or their livers, which were considered to be the seat of life (hepatoscopy).
Read More…(geomancy), fire and smoke (pyromancy), the shoulder blades of animals (scapulimancy), entrails of sacrificed animals (haruspicy), or their livers, which were considered to be the seat of life (hepatoscopy).
Read More - divinationInterpretive divination
Pyromancy (divination by fire) may be highly dramatic in a society dependent on fire for light and safety at night. In some trans-Saharan societies the diviner may test an accusation at a séance around the fire, which will suddenly explode upon the “guilty” one. Elsewhere,…
Read MorePyromancy (divination by fire) may be highly dramatic in a society dependent on fire for light and safety at night. In some trans-Saharan societies the diviner may test an accusation at a séance around the fire, which will suddenly explode upon the “guilty” one. Elsewhere,…
Read More