Recluse facts for kids
A recluse is a person who chooses to live alone and away from other people. The word comes from a Latin word, recludere, which means "to shut up" or "to separate". Unlike a common hermit who might live in a quiet place but still interact with others, a recluse often stays in a specific cell or room and does not come out.
Many famous people throughout history have spent parts of their lives as recluses. For example, Symeon of Trier lived inside a large Roman gate called Porta Nigra. Another example is Theophan the Recluse, a Christian monk from the 1800s who is now considered a saint.
What Does a Recluse Do?
People become recluses for different reasons. Sometimes, it's for religious reasons, like wanting to pray and think deeply without distractions. In the Russian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, there's a tradition of a Poustinik. This is someone who becomes a temporary hermit, spending at least 24 hours alone in a small cabin to pray and fast.
In ancient Chinese culture, some scholars would become recluses, called yinshi (隐士), which means 'gentleman-in-hiding'. They would do this if they felt the government was not doing a good job or was corrupt. It was a way to show they disagreed without directly getting involved in politics. Others, like Dongfang Shuo, became recluses to practice spiritual beliefs such as Taoism or Chan Buddhism.
Why Do People Choose This Life?
Choosing to live as a recluse is a big decision. It means giving up many things that most people enjoy, like spending time with friends and family, going to school, or having a job in the community. People who become recluses often seek deep quiet and solitude. They might want to focus entirely on their spiritual life, their thoughts, or a special project without any interruptions from the outside world. It's a way to find inner peace and connect with their beliefs on a very personal level.
Images for kids
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A small cell where a recluse might have lived, with a special opening called a hagioscope in Bro Church, Gotland.
