sacred place
Quick Summary
A sacred place is a location set apart for religious rites or made holy by association. These places gain their sanctity from the appearance of the divine or through natural and historical significance to a community, such as springs, mountains, or groves. Mountains were particularly important, believed to bring worshippers closer to the heavens.12
Sacred places often represent the center of the earth, a meeting point between the divine and human realms. Their sanctity must be preserved, leading to the need for officials to guard them and for the sites to be clearly marked. Homes of spiritual leaders, places of retreat for hermits, or sites of miracles can also become holy. Established places of worship, like temples, mosques, and churches, became characteristic of major religions, often built in specific architectural styles and orientations.2
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worshipSacred placesWorship has its appointed places. A place of worship became sacred and suitable by virtue of the holy’s appearing at that place. Sacred places were also sites of natural and historical significance for the community: springs, river crossings, threshing places, trees or groves…
Read MoreWorship has its appointed places. A place of worship became sacred and suitable by virtue of the holy’s appearing at that place. Sacred places were also sites of natural and historical significance for the community: springs, river crossings, threshing places, trees or groves…
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ceremonial objectPlaces of worship and sacrifice…evidence of worship at natural sites as well as at sites constructed for ritualistic purposes. In the protohistory and perhaps the prehistory of most ancient civilizations, people venerated trees, stones, bodies of water, and other natural objects, which gradually became the objects of established cults and which often were included,…
Read More…evidence of worship at natural sites as well as at sites constructed for ritualistic purposes. In the protohistory and perhaps the prehistory of most ancient civilizations, people venerated trees, stones, bodies of water, and other natural objects, which gradually became the objects of established cults and which often were included,…
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ChristianityVeneration of places, objects, and people…its interpretation, traditions centring on holy places also developed. The veneration of holy places is the oldest expression of Christian popular piety. From Judaism Christianity adopted the idea and practice of venerating holy places. In post-exilic Judaism (i.e., after the 5th century bce), Jerusalem was the sanctuary and the centre…
Read More…its interpretation, traditions centring on holy places also developed. The veneration of holy places is the oldest expression of Christian popular piety. From Judaism Christianity adopted the idea and practice of venerating holy places. In post-exilic Judaism (i.e., after the 5th century bce), Jerusalem was the sanctuary and the centre…
Read More- nature worshipMountains
…mountains are favourite places for cults of high places, particularly when they are isolated as island mountains, mountains with snowcaps, or uninhabited high mountain ranges. The psychological roots of the cults of high places lie in the belief that mountains are close to the sky (as heavenly ladders), that clouds…
Read More…mountains are favourite places for cults of high places, particularly when they are isolated as island mountains, mountains with snowcaps, or uninhabited high mountain ranges. The psychological roots of the cults of high places lie in the belief that mountains are close to the sky (as heavenly ladders), that clouds…
Read More - TaoismTaoism under the Tang dynasty (618–907)
…the systematic elaboration of its sacred mountains and the traditions attaching to each of them. They are described by the great hagiographer, Du Guangting, at the end of the Tang dynasty. In addition to the great “cavern-heavens” (dongtian), 10 holy mountains known to the original Maoshan revelations, he lists 36…
Read More…the systematic elaboration of its sacred mountains and the traditions attaching to each of them. They are described by the great hagiographer, Du Guangting, at the end of the Tang dynasty. In addition to the great “cavern-heavens” (dongtian), 10 holy mountains known to the original Maoshan revelations, he lists 36…
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Oceanic art and architectureThe Hawaiian Islands…of the settings of the sacred enclosures. Posts, carved at the top with rudimentary human forms, including heads with slanting eyes, wide mouths, and chevron-shaped brows, were parts of fences. Flat figures or faces topped with panels decorated with chevrons or silhouettes were kept inside the enclosures. Three-dimensional, full-length figures…
Read More…of the settings of the sacred enclosures. Posts, carved at the top with rudimentary human forms, including heads with slanting eyes, wide mouths, and chevron-shaped brows, were parts of fences. Flat figures or faces topped with panels decorated with chevrons or silhouettes were kept inside the enclosures. Three-dimensional, full-length figures…
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IslamSacred places and daysThe most sacred place for Muslims is the Kaʿbah sanctuary at Mecca, the object of the annual pilgrimage. It is much more than a mosque; it is believed to be the place where the heavenly bliss and power touches the earth…
Read MoreThe most sacred place for Muslims is the Kaʿbah sanctuary at Mecca, the object of the annual pilgrimage. It is much more than a mosque; it is believed to be the place where the heavenly bliss and power touches the earth…
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Native American religionsIssues and concerns…traditional religions is control of sacred sites. Many locations used for ceremonial purposes or considered to be the home of powerful entities have been disrupted and contaminated by recreational activities and economic exploitation. This has been especially problematic when it occurs on public lands, as in the cases of Devils…
Read More…traditional religions is control of sacred sites. Many locations used for ceremonial purposes or considered to be the home of powerful entities have been disrupted and contaminated by recreational activities and economic exploitation. This has been especially problematic when it occurs on public lands, as in the cases of Devils…
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Germanic religion and mythologyWorship…Tacitus, took place in a sacred grove; other examples of sacred groves include the one in which Nerthus usually resides. Tacitus does, however, mention temples in Germany, though they were probably few. Old English laws mention fenced places around a stone, tree, or other object of worship. In Scandinavia, men…
Read More…Tacitus, took place in a sacred grove; other examples of sacred groves include the one in which Nerthus usually resides. Tacitus does, however, mention temples in Germany, though they were probably few. Old English laws mention fenced places around a stone, tree, or other object of worship. In Scandinavia, men…
Read More- Hellenistic religionNature and significance
…of the deity to certain sacred places was weakened. Rather than a god who dwelt in his temple, the diasporic traditions evolved complicated techniques for achieving visions, epiphanies (manifestations of a god), or heavenly journeys to a transcendent god. This led to a change from concern for a religion of…
Read More…of the deity to certain sacred places was weakened. Rather than a god who dwelt in his temple, the diasporic traditions evolved complicated techniques for achieving visions, epiphanies (manifestations of a god), or heavenly journeys to a transcendent god. This led to a change from concern for a religion of…
Read More - Baltic religionTemples and other holy places
…hand, the existence of open-air holy places or sites of worship among the Balts is confirmed by both the earliest historical documents and folklore. Such places were holy groves, called alka in Lithuanian. Later the word came to mean any holy place or site of worship (Lithuanian alkvietė). Considerable research…
Read More…hand, the existence of open-air holy places or sites of worship among the Balts is confirmed by both the earliest historical documents and folklore. Such places were holy groves, called alka in Lithuanian. Later the word came to mean any holy place or site of worship (Lithuanian alkvietė). Considerable research…
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HinduismVedic and Brahmanic rites…is a close correspondence between sacred places—such as the sacrificial place of many Vedic rites, a place of pilgrimage, or a consecrated area—and provinces of the universe or even the universe itself. In such places, direct communication with other cosmic regions (heaven or underworld) is possible, because they are said…
Read More…is a close correspondence between sacred places—such as the sacrificial place of many Vedic rites, a place of pilgrimage, or a consecrated area—and provinces of the universe or even the universe itself. In such places, direct communication with other cosmic regions (heaven or underworld) is possible, because they are said…
Read More- HinduismChallenges to Brahmanism (6th–2nd century bce)
…and other minor spirits in sacred places such as groves. Although these sacred places were the main centers of popular religious life, there is no evidence of any buildings or images associated with them, and it appears that neither temples nor large icons existed at the time.
Read More…and other minor spirits in sacred places such as groves. Although these sacred places were the main centers of popular religious life, there is no evidence of any buildings or images associated with them, and it appears that neither temples nor large icons existed at the time.
Read More - HinduismMyths of holy rivers and holy places
Of particular sanctity in India are the rivers, among which the Ganges stands first. This river, personified as a goddess, originally flowed only in heaven until she was brought down by Bhagiratha to purify the ashes of his ancestors. She came down reluctantly,…
Read MoreOf particular sanctity in India are the rivers, among which the Ganges stands first. This river, personified as a goddess, originally flowed only in heaven until she was brought down by Bhagiratha to purify the ashes of his ancestors. She came down reluctantly,…
Read More - HinduismReligious organization of sacred architecture
Temples must be erected on sites that are shubha—i.e., suitable, beautiful, auspicious, and near water—because it is thought that the gods will not come to other places. However, temples are not necessarily designed to be congenial to their surroundings, because a manifestation of…
Read MoreTemples must be erected on sites that are shubha—i.e., suitable, beautiful, auspicious, and near water—because it is thought that the gods will not come to other places. However, temples are not necessarily designed to be congenial to their surroundings, because a manifestation of…
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- miracleSacred places
Miracles are often connected with special sacred places. Normally these are natural shrines, such as sacred groves, or temples and sanctuaries in which gods or spirits live or have manifested themselves or in which their statues, symbols, holy objects, or relics are enshrined.…
Read MoreMiracles are often connected with special sacred places. Normally these are natural shrines, such as sacred groves, or temples and sanctuaries in which gods or spirits live or have manifested themselves or in which their statues, symbols, holy objects, or relics are enshrined.…
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revelationReligions of nonliterate culturesThe sacred or holy is likewise believed to be present in sacred trees, groves, shrines, and the like, and in elemental realities such as earth, water, sky, and the heavenly bodies. Once specified as holy, such objects take on symbolic value and become capable of mediating…
Read MoreThe sacred or holy is likewise believed to be present in sacred trees, groves, shrines, and the like, and in elemental realities such as earth, water, sky, and the heavenly bodies. Once specified as holy, such objects take on symbolic value and become capable of mediating…
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ritualConclusion” Time and place are essential features of ritual action, and both mark a specific orientation or setting for ritual. Time and space, whether a plot of ground or a magnificent temple, are ritually created and become, in turn, the context for other rituals. Examples of ritual time…
Read More” Time and place are essential features of ritual action, and both mark a specific orientation or setting for ritual. Time and space, whether a plot of ground or a magnificent temple, are ritually created and become, in turn, the context for other rituals. Examples of ritual time…
Read More- sacredManifestations of the sacred
…persons are consecrated, so specific places are designated as the “gate of heaven.” Temples and shrines are recognized by devotees as places where special attitudes and restrictions prevail because they are the abode of the sacred. Likewise, certain images of God (and sacred books) are held to be uniquely powerful…
Read More…persons are consecrated, so specific places are designated as the “gate of heaven.” Temples and shrines are recognized by devotees as places where special attitudes and restrictions prevail because they are the abode of the sacred. Likewise, certain images of God (and sacred books) are held to be uniquely powerful…
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sacrificeTime and place of sacrificeThe common place of sacrifice in most cults is an altar. The table type of altar is uncommon; more often it is only a pillar, a mound of earth, a stone, or a pile of stones. Among the Hebrews in early times and other Semitic peoples the…
Read MoreThe common place of sacrifice in most cults is an altar. The table type of altar is uncommon; more often it is only a pillar, a mound of earth, a stone, or a pile of stones. Among the Hebrews in early times and other Semitic peoples the…
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saintForms of cults…dedicated to certain saints, at holy places—temples, churches, shrines, or chapels where the supplicant can be certain of their direct presence and aid. This custom is of ancient origin—e.g., the votive offerings dedicated to the healing god Asclepius in the museum of Epidaurus (Greece). This practice is still to be…
Read More…dedicated to certain saints, at holy places—temples, churches, shrines, or chapels where the supplicant can be certain of their direct presence and aid. This custom is of ancient origin—e.g., the votive offerings dedicated to the healing god Asclepius in the museum of Epidaurus (Greece). This practice is still to be…
Read More- religious symbolism and iconographySymbols of sacred time and space
…to or transparencies of the sacred or holy. The sacred manifests itself in time and space, so that time and space themselves become diaphanous indications of the holy. The holy place—a shrine, forest grove, temple, church, or other area of worship—is symbolically marked off as a sacred area. The signs,…
Read More…to or transparencies of the sacred or holy. The sacred manifests itself in time and space, so that time and space themselves become diaphanous indications of the holy. The holy place—a shrine, forest grove, temple, church, or other area of worship—is symbolically marked off as a sacred area. The signs,…
Read More - worshipPrimary functions
…the right manner, and the sanctity of the site identified and maintained.
Read More…the right manner, and the sanctity of the site identified and maintained.
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