A set of actions or words performed in a regular way, often as part of a religious ceremony.
Questions tagged [rituals]
16 questions
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Why would slaves be sacrificed after their master's death?
Sacrifice is a common practice in the Norse pagan religion.
Sacrifice (blót) played a huge role in most of the rituals that are known about today, and communal feasting on the meat of sacrificed animals, [...] The purpose of these sacrifices was to…
anon
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What kind of offerings did worshipers make to Thor?
I'm currently playing a role-playing game as a cleric that worships a god of storms and I'm researching what kinds of offerings that god would likely accept.
What examples are there of the kinds of offerings that were made to Thor?
mgillesp
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Symbolism of three characters leading Mayday ritual in The Wicker Man
In The Wicker Man (1973), the Mayday procession is headed by three masked characters:
Their cast includes many alarming characters:
A man-animal, or hobbyhorse,
who canters at the head of the
procession charging at the girls;
A man-woman, the…
amphibient
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How did the Norse ship burial ritual originate from?
The Norse ship burial, according to Wikipedia:
A prominent tradition is that of the ship burial, where the deceased
was laid in a boat, or a stone ship, and given grave offerings in
accordance with his earthly status and profession, sometimes…
Dawny33
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Are there any old religions/mythologies where people would get tattood to get closer to or for their god?
Most religions today condemn the use of tattoos but Are there any old religions/mythologies where people would get tattood to get closer to or for their god?
The majority of Sunni Muslims believe tattooing is a sin, because it involves changing the…
Tom Sol
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Did the Greeks have an offering of blood, wine and milk, similar to the Cretan one?
So I found this big old book about ancient cultures and in it, the typical offering on Crete was blood, wine and milk. Mixed together in a big bowl. The book describes the mix as a symbol for the drink of gods.
It's interesting because I heard that…
Nuloen The Seeker
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What is a "house of Madanu" and a "gate of Madanu"?
The Hittite ritual CTH 432 ("The Ritual for Depression") mentions laying out certain patterns in flour, starting at §3.24:
namma-kan É dMADANI Ù É dṢAR[…
gulašzi nu-kan KÁ dMADANI IŠ[…
Next, he shall mark out the Temple of Madanu and the Temple of…
Draconis
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Why does Eumaeus singles out the nymphs and Hermes in his offerings?
In Odyssey 14 Eumaeus the swineherd is the first person that meets Odysseus upon his return to Ithaca. Although he doesn't recognize his master, he offers him shelter and treats him to a feast:
Then the goodly swineherd called to his comrades…
yannis
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Why thank the person who is cutting out your heart?
So, my grandfather got back from vacation yesterday. As we were looking through his pictures today and explaining them to me (what's he doing/going on...), we came to the part with the Aztec Pyramids. He talked a little about what he learn, such as:…
Andrew Johnson
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How would a body be prepared for the Greek afterlife?
The only thing I know is that one must place a coin under the tongue to pay Charon, the ferry man of the Underworld.
Andrew Johnson
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Why do we dress up to celebrate Halloween?
Why do people wear elaborate masks and costumes to celebrate Halloween?
Did people dress up during the pagan festivals that inspired Halloween, or is the practice a modern addition?
Girsan Virlee
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Which ancient cults would cut out the hearts of live animals and offer them as sacrifices?
Which ancient cults would cut out the hearts of live animals and offer them as sacrifices? The Mishnah (Avodah Zarah 2:3) mentions a concept called עורות לבובין which Maimonides and other commentators explain refers to the pagan practice of making…
Reb Chaim HaQoton
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Origins of the Chinese Red Egg Tradition
In China there is a folk custom to give a red egg on someone's birthday.
When and where did this practice originate from? Are there any myths related to the practice?
Stephen
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What would a Roman want to achieve with writing inscriptions and magical signs on bronze nails?
I was strolling through the Wikipedia page on bronze and found a picture of bronze nails from Roman times. Under the picture is a text saying
Roman bronze nails with magical signs and inscriptions, 3rd-4th century AD
What would a Roman want to…
Tom Sol
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Is there any mention of human sacrifice in the mythologies of Britain of the period before advent of Christianity?
In the mythologies that are there for the period in Scotland and England before the advent of Christianity, is there any mention of any practice of human sacrifice for religious rituals?
Sonevol
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