Sacredness facts for kids

Sacred describes something special. It is set apart for worship or for a god. People see it as worthy of deep respect or awe. This feeling is common among believers. Things like a "sacred artifact" or a "sacred ground" can be called sacred. People often show them great respect and bless them.

A French sociologist named Émile Durkheim thought the difference between sacred and profane (everyday things) was key to religion. He said religion is about "sacred things" that are set apart and special. In his idea, sacred things represent a group's interests, especially unity. They are like symbols that bring people together. Profane things, on the other hand, are about normal, individual concerns.

What Does 'Sacred' Mean?

The word sacred comes from the Latin word sacer. This word meant something 'set apart' or 'purified' for the gods. It also referred to priests.

Holy and Sacred: What's the Difference?

The words sacred and holy are similar. Sometimes people use them to mean the same thing. But there are small differences. Holiness is usually used for people and relationships. Sacredness is used for objects, places, or events. For example, a saint might be called holy, but not sacred. However, some things can be both, like the Holy Bible.

Both words mean something or someone special for worship. They are worthy of respect. Holy is a stronger word. It suggests something is special because of its true nature. Holiness comes from God. It can be given to things, places, times, and people who serve God. For example, Thomas Aquinas said holiness is when a person's mind and actions are focused on God. Holiness is a result of sanctification. This is a divine act where God makes a person pure and claims them as His own.

Where Does 'Holy' Come From?

The English word holy is very old. It comes from the 11th-century Old English word hālig. This word meant 'whole' or 'uninjured'. The word holy as we know it appeared in Wycliffe's Bible in 1382. In everyday talk, holy can mean something connected to a divine power. An example is water used for baptism.

Making Things Sacred

Many religions have ways to make things sacred. This means making people, places, or objects special. They are set apart for a special use or purpose. Words for this include hallow, sanctify, and consecrate. The opposite actions are desecration (making something not sacred) and deconsecration (removing its sacred status). Different groups use these words in different ways.

The words sanctification and consecration come from the Latin Sanctus. This means to set apart for a special use or purpose, or to make holy or sacred.

The verb 'to hallow' is an old English word. It is mostly seen in the Lord's Prayer. The noun hallow is used in Hallowtide. It means the same as saint.

In different Christian groups, the details vary. Sanctification in Christianity usually means a person becoming holy. Consecration in Christianity can mean setting apart a person, building, or object for God. Some Christian groups also have a "deconsecration" service. This removes the sacred nature of something. It is done before a building is torn down or sold for everyday use.

In rabbinic Judaism, sanctification means honoring God's name. This is done through works of mercy and being brave for one's faith. Dishonoring God's name means doing sin. This idea comes from the Jewish belief that God's holiness is pure goodness. This goodness can be passed on by making people and things sacred.

In Islam, sanctification is called tazkiah. Other similar words include Islah-i qalb (making the heart better) and Ihsan (making things beautiful). Tasawuf (Sufism) is an idea often linked to sanctification in Islam. Among Sufis, it is common to pray about saints. They might say "may God sanctify his secret."

Images of the Buddha and bodhisattvas are made sacred in many Buddhist rituals. These rituals are called Buddhābhiseka.

Mormonism has a lot about consecration. Jesus Christ is called "The Anointed One." This means He has a special role as the savior. People are also asked to accept Jesus' will and give themselves fully to living by it. For example, the Book of Mormon says "sanctification comes because of their yielding their hearts unto God" (Helaman 3:35).

In most South Indian Hindu temples, a ceremony called Kumbhabhishekam is held every 12 years. This is a temple's consecration ceremony. It purifies the temple after a renovation or renews its purity. Hindus believe witnessing this event brings good karma.

Panch Kalyanaka Pratishtha Mahotsava is a Jain ceremony. It makes one or more Jain Tirthankara icons sacred. This ceremony usually happens when a new Jain temple is built or new idols are put in temples. A religious leader must supervise it.

Sacredness in Different Religions

Indic Religions

Indian religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism respect and protect nature. They see many natural things as sacred. These include rivers, trees, forests, and mountains.

Hinduism

Sacred rivers are important in several religions, especially those that respect nature. For example, Indian religions see rivers, groves, trees, and mountains as sacred. In Hinduism, the Ganges, Yamuna, and Sarasvati rivers are very sacred. The vedas and Gita, important hindu texts, were written near the Sarasvati river. Other sacred rivers include the Narmada.

Among sacred mountains, Mount Kailash (in Tibet), Nanda Devi, Char Dham mountains, and Amarnath mountain are very important. Also, Gangotri mountain, Yamunotri mountain, and Sarasvotri mountain (where the Sarasvati River begins) are sacred.

Buddhism

In Theravada Buddhism, there are "noble persons" (ariya-puggala). Buddha described four levels of a person's purity. This purity depends on how much they have cleaned their mind of "fetters" (samyojana) and "defilements" (klesha). These persons are called Sotāpanna, Sakadagami, Anāgāmi, and Arahant. Each level shows more purity.

Abrahamic Religions

Christianity

Different Christian groups have various ideas about sacredness. The Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, and Methodist Churches believe in Holy Sacraments. These are special ceremonies performed by clergy, like Holy Communion and Holy Baptism. They also strongly believe in the Holy Catholic Church, Holy Scripture, Holy Trinity, and the Holy Covenant. They believe angels and saints are called to be holy. In Methodist Wesleyan theology, holiness also means a person becoming better through entire sanctification. The Holiness movement started in the United States. It aimed to bring back the strong focus on personal holiness that was important in Wesley's time.

Some groups show their holiness through how they dress and look. For example, men might have short hair, and women might not cut their hair. They might avoid shorts, pants on women, make-up, and jewelry. They might also avoid worldly fun places, mixed swimming, smoking, and certain words. Some also avoid television and radio.

Islam

One of the names of God in the Quran is Al-Quddus. This means 'holy' or 'sacred'. It shares a root with the Hebrew word for 'holy'. The Arabic name for Jerusalem, al-Quds, also means 'the Holy'.

The word ħarām often means 'forbidden'. But in the context of sacred places in Islam, it means 'sacred' or 'sanctuary'. For example:

• The Masjid al-Haram is the 'Sacred Mosque in Mecca'. It includes the area around the Kaaba.
• al-Haramain means 'the (two) Sanctuaries'. This refers to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
• The Haram ash-Sharif is the 'Noble Sanctuary'. This is the area of the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

Judaism

The Hebrew word kodesh means 'set-apartness' and 'distinct'. In a Jewish marriage ceremony, the husband says to his future wife, "You are made holy to me." In Hebrew, holiness also means 'oneness'. This is like in marriage, where husband and wife become one. Kodesh is also translated as 'holiness' and 'sacredness'. The Torah says that the Aaronite priests and the Levites were chosen by God to serve in the Temple. They are also called "holy."

Holiness is not just one thing; it has many levels. The Mishnah lists circles of holiness around the Temple in Jerusalem. These include the Holy of Holies, the Temple Sanctuary, and the Temple Mount. Rules say who and what are allowed in each area.

Also, Jewish holidays and the Shabbat are considered holy times. The Torah calls them "holy [days of] gathering." Work is not allowed on these days. Jewish tradition lists 39 types of activities that are not allowed on Shabbat.

Besides things that are naturally holy, objects can become sacred through consecration. Any personal item can be given to God's Temple. If someone uses it wrongly after that, it is a serious mistake. The various sacrifices are holy. Those that can be eaten have specific rules about who can eat them and when. Most sacrifices include a part for the priests. This is a part of the holy for God's holy followers.

Meeting the holy is seen as very good, but also scary and awesome. Strong penalties apply to those who disrespect holy things.

See also

In Spanish: Sagrado para niños