Holy water facts for kids
Holy water is water that has been blessed by a member of the clergy or a religious figure. The use for cleansing prior to a baptism and spiritual cleansing is common in several religions, from Christianity to Sikhism.
The use of holy water as a sacramental for protection against evil is common among Anglicans, Roman Catholics, and Eastern Christians.
In Hinduism, water represents God in a spiritual sense which is the central theme in Mantra Pushpam from Taithreeya Aranyakam of Yajur Veda. Bathing in holy water is, thus, a key element in Hinduism, and the Ganges is considered the holiest Hindu river.
The Sunni Muslim variety of holy water is the Zamzam water that comes from a spring by The Kaaba.
The drinking of "healing water" (āb-i shifā) is a practice in various denominations of Shia Islam.
Sikhs use the Punjabi term amrita (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ) for the holy water used in the baptism ceremony known as Amrit Sanskar or Amrit Chhakhna.
Images for kids
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A Thai student pouring the holy water on his two hands at Erawan shrine, Bangkok
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Saint Teresa of Avila, by Rubens, 1615
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Great Blessing of Waters by Boris Kustodiev, 1921
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Procession for the Lesser Blessing of Waters
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An 1880 photograph of the Golden Temple, sacred pool and the nearby buildings
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A Hindu public prayer in the River Ganges
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Mouth-piece of the Zam Zam well in Masjid al-Haram
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Khak-e Shifa, made from the soil of Husayn ibn Ali's grave
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Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, Lyon, France
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Church of Santa Maria a Cintoia [it], Florence, Italy
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Church of Saints Saint Cajetan and Maximillian, Salzburg, Austria
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See also
In Spanish: Agua bendita para niños
