votive
(adjective)
An object left in temples or other religious locations for a variety of spiritual purposes.
(adjective)
An type of offering deposited within a religious site without the purpose of display or retrieval.
(noun)
Small religious offering deposited at a temple without the purpose of display or retrieval.
(adjective)
Dedicated or given in fulfillment of a vow or pledge.
Examples of votive in the following topics:
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Etruscan Bronze Sculpture
- Etruscan bronze classical art demonstrates the range and skill of artists who crafted large votive offerings and small, personal trinkets.
- An inscription on the right foreleg marks the bronze as a votive offering to the supreme Etruscan god, Tinia (comparable to Roman Jupiter).
- The lion's posture, he crouches and looks up, suggest that there may have been an additional figure of Bellerophon to create a votive group.
- These unusual proportions lead some experts to believe that the sculpture was intended as a votive offering.
- The so-called Mars of Todi (late fifth-early fourth century BCE) is a nearly life-size bronze warrior produced as a votive offering, possibly to Laran, the Etrucscan god of war.
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Buddhist Stupas
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Sculpture in Mesopotamia
- Sculptures in human form were also used as votive offerings in temples.
- Votive figure of a male worshiper from Tell Asmar (2750-2600 BCE)
- The votive figure—made from alabaster, shell, black limestone, and bitumen—depicts a male worshiper of Enil, a powerful Mesopotamian god.
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Egyptian Pharaohs as God-Kings
- Narmer is also the earliest king associated with the symbols of power over the two lands, in particular the Narmer palette , a votive cosmetic palette showing Narmer wearing the crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt.
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Jain Sculpture
- Ayagapata is a type of votive slab or tablet associated with worship in Jainism.
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Sculpture in Southeast Asia
- A number of votive tablets and Sanskrit inscriptions are also found in the region.
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Sculpture in the Greek Geometric Period
- Bronzes were made using the lost-wax technique, probably introduced from Syria, and were often left as votive offerings at sanctuaries such as Delphi and Olympia.
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Art of the Persian Empire
- The gold chariot below demonstrates the precision possible with small sculptures and includes a small votive based on the Egyptian god Bes.
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The Ancient Greek Gods and Their Temples
- Religious festivals and ceremonies were held throughout the year, and animal sacrifice and votive offerings were popular ways to appease and worship the gods.
- Patrons would leave offerings for the gods, such as small votives, large statues, libations or costly goods.
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Delphi and Greek Treasuries
- The road leading up to the sanctuary site of Apollo was lined with votive statues and treasuries.
- These small, temple-like structures held the votives and offerings made to Apollo as well as a small proportion of the spoils won from battle from each polis.