Monday 4 February 2019

Physical foms of worship for non physical beings


Chinese Joss Paper, also known as Ghost or Spirit Money, are pieces of beautifully crafted and adorned paper which are burned as prayers, or to commune with the dead. They are also burned at funerals or for ancestor or deity worship rituals. Another form of Joss Paper is the Hell note, a paper which serves as the official currency for the afterlife. living relatives offer these to dead ancestors by burning them or placing in coffins at funerals. They signify a bribe to God to assist the dead in having only a short stay in hell, or living a more lavish existence in the afterlife.


Milagros, or Promesas, are christian folk charms traditionally used as votive offerings for healing or protection, aimed at the limb or organ depicted in the small tin or copper offerings. Originating from Mexico, they are seen attached to shrines, alters, and places of worship, and can be bought in churches, cathedrals, or from street vendors. Milagro translates from Spanish to 'miracle' or 'Surprise' and are predominantly used to ask for assistance in healing, but can also be used as a symbol of gratitude or depict an intention or wish, using the limbs or organs in a more conceptual sense.
Tamata seem to be the eastern catholic equivalent, featuring particularly in Greek orthodox churches, often offered to an icon or shrine in gratitude of a prayer answered or to direct the deity's power towards a particular wish or need. 



No comments:

Post a Comment