sacred

Examples of sacred in the following topics:

• The Sacred and the Profane

  • Emile Durkheim posited the sacred–profane dichotomy as central to all religion, but critics suggest this theory is too eurocentric.
  • The sacred–profane dichotomy is an idea posited by French sociologist Émile Durkheim, who considered it to be the central characteristic of religion: "religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden."
  • In Durkheim's theory, the sacred represented the interests of the group, especially unity, which were embodied in sacred group symbols, or totems.
  • Durkheim explicitly stated that the sacred/profane dichotomy was not equivalent to good/evil.
  • The sacred could be good or evil, and the profane could be either as well.

• Sacred Objects

  • A sacred art object refers to art that makes use of religious inspiration and motifs.
  • A sacred art object refers to art that makes use of religious inspiration and motifs.
  • Sacred art often revolves around the ritual practices of the artist's or commissioner's religious tradition.
  • The two Temples in Jerusalem and the Tabernacle are the first known examples of Jewish sacred art.
  • List examples of sacred objects within the major religions of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Islam.

• Geometric Symbolism

  • Throughout history, geometric designs have been ascribed with symbolic and sacred meaning.
  • Symbolic and sacred meanings are often ascribed to certain geometric shapes and geometric proportions.
  • Geometry can be used in sacred spaces such as sacred groves, village greens, and holy wells and in the creation of religious art.
  • In Buddhist and Hindu religious traditions, sacred art often takes the form of the mandala (), or sacred circle.
  • This sand mandala is an example of a sacred geometric design in Buddhist religious tradition.

• The Nature of Religion

  • Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions, and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to explain the origin of life or the universe.
  • The sociologist Emile Durkheim, in his seminal book The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life, defined religion as a "unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things. " By sacred things he meant things "set apart and forbidden — beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community called a Church, all those who adhere to them. " Sacred things are not, however, limited to gods or spirits.
  • On the contrary, a sacred thing can be "a rock, a tree, a spring, a pebble, a piece of wood, a house, in a word, anything can be sacred. " Religious beliefs, myths, dogmas, and legends are the representations that express the nature of these sacred things and the virtues and powers that are attributed to them.

• Definitions of Religion

  • The sacred elements of social life are what make up religion.
  • For example, the Torah in Judaism is sacred and treated with reverence and respect.
  • The reverential treatment of the Torah would be contrasted with all sorts of more mundane things like cars or toys, which, for most people, are not considered sacred.
  • Yet, the acute reader will be quick to point out that for some, cars (and even toys) are considered sacred and treated almost as reverentially as the Torah is treated in Judaism.
  • As is the case with the sacred/profane typology, this definition is also often critiqued for being broad and overly encompassing.

• The Elements of Religion

  • The Torah and Bible are considered holy books and are treated with reverence and respect and are considered sacred books in their religions.
  • Emile Durkheim argues that religion is comprised of the sacred elements of social life.
  • Durkheim also identifies collective interests and group unity as part of the sacred, whereas individual concerns fall into the profane category.
  • Under Durkheim's distinction, both nationalism and consumerism would be considered sacred practices.
  • The reverence afforded to the U.S. constitution, cars, shoes and former presidents clearly constitutes the sacred and thus religious, though the vast majority of U.S. religious practitioners would disagree that they are members of multiple faith traditions.

• Elements of Nature

  • Many of the world's ancient belief systems are focused around sacred groves, where trees are revered or believed to hold spiritual power.
  • Sacred trees are often symbolic and depicted in religious artwork.
  • Sacred mountains are central to certain religions and are the subjects of many legends.
  • This connection with the mountains as a sacred space is paramount and often provides an important piece of a culture's identity.
  • Discuss the use of nature and natural elements in sacred art and places of worship.

• Sacred Ceremonies and Pilgrimages

  • Pilgrimages and sacred ceremonies are important events in many spiritual traditions around the world.
  • Pilgrimages and sacred ceremonies often go together, with people performing certain ceremonies once they have reached a sacred location.
  • Almost any place can become a focus for pilgrimage, but in most cases they are sacred cities, rivers, lakes, and mountains" (Werner, 1994).
  • The western retaining wall of the Temple Mount, known as the Western Wall or Wailing Wall, remains in the Old City of Jerusalem and this has been the most sacred site for religious Jews .
  • Kedarnath, one of the Himalayan towns of Badrinath, is part of the sacred Hindu pilgrimage circuit of Char Dham.

• Introduction to the Shang Dynasty

  • Shang kings were believed to fulfill sacred purposes, not political.
  • Archaeological remains of this town may have been found—it seems to have functioned as a sacred capital, where the most sacred temples and religious objects were housed.

• Conflicts

  • The appropriation of Native American iconography, sacred images, and sculptures for commercial use by non-natives has been a source of controversy, contributing to cultural subjugation.
  • The Kachina doll, for example, is a sacred Hopi sculpture that was traditionally meant to be seen only during specific Hopi ritual events.