Limbo (disambiguation) facts for kids
Limbo is a word with a few different meanings. It can describe a place or a state of being. Long ago, some Christian thinkers imagined "Limbo" as a special place after death. It was thought to be for people who hadn't done anything wrong but also hadn't been baptized. This idea was never made an official rule by the Catholic Church.
Today, "Limbo" is used in many other ways. It can mean being in a forgotten or uncertain state. It also refers to a fun dance and even a popular video game!
What Does Limbo Mean?
The word "Limbo" comes from a Latin word meaning "edge" or "border." This makes sense because the original idea of Limbo was a place on the edge of heaven or hell.
The Old Idea of Limbo
- A Place for Babies: In the past, some people believed Limbo was where babies went if they died before being baptized. They thought these babies hadn't sinned but couldn't go to heaven without baptism.
- A Place for Good People: It was also sometimes thought to be a place for good people who lived before Jesus, like ancient prophets. They were good, but they didn't know about Jesus.
- Not Official: It's important to remember that the idea of Limbo was never an official teaching of the Catholic Church. It was more of a theological idea discussed by scholars.
Limbo as a Dance
The Limbo dance is a fun and popular dance that comes from Trinidad. It's often seen at parties and celebrations.
How to Do the Limbo Dance
- The Pole: Dancers try to go under a low bar or pole.
- No Hands!: You have to bend backward and cannot touch the ground with your hands.
- Getting Lower: After everyone goes under, the pole is lowered a little. This makes the dance harder and more exciting!
- Music: The dance is usually done to upbeat music, often with a Caribbean feel.
Limbo in Games
The word "Limbo" is also used in many games, often to describe a strange or in-between place.
The Limbo Video Game
- Limbo is a very popular video game released in 2010.
- Dark and Mysterious: It's known for its dark, shadowy graphics and spooky atmosphere.
- Puzzle-Platformer: Players control a young boy who is looking for his sister in a dangerous world. You have to solve puzzles and jump over obstacles.
- Award-Winning: The game won many awards for its unique style and gameplay.
Limbo in Fantasy Worlds
- Dungeons & Dragons: In the fantasy game Dungeons & Dragons, Limbo is a chaotic place. It's a plane of existence where things are always changing.
- DmC: Devil May Cry: In the game DmC: Devil May Cry, Limbo is a hidden dimension. It's a twisted version of the real world.
Limbo in Other Areas
The word "Limbo" shows up in many other places too!
- Limbo (skating): This is a sport where people roller skate underneath a low obstacle, similar to the Limbo dance.
- Limbo (programming language): This is a computer language used for writing programs.
- Limbo (weapon): This was a type of weapon used on ships to find and attack submarines underwater.
People Named Limbo
Some people even have Limbo as part of their name!
- Limbo Parks (born 1965), an American football player.
- Agnes Limbo (born 1957), a politician from Namibia.
See also
- In Limbo (disambiguation)
- "Limbo Rock", a famous song from 1962 that helped make the Limbo dance popular.
- Limbo Party, an album by Chubby Checker that featured "Limbo Rock."
- Mount Limbo, a mountain located in Nevada, USA.
