Questions tagged [rituals]
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13
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What is a “house of Madanu” and a “gate of Madanu”?
The Hittite ritual CTH 432 ("The Ritual for Depression") mentions laying out certain patterns in flour, starting at §3.24:
namma-kan É dMADANI Ù É dṢAR[…
gulašzi nu-kan KÁ dMADANI IŠ[…
Next, ...
7
votes
1answer
127 views
Are there any old religions/mythologies where people would get tattood to get closer to or for their god?
Most religions today condemn the use of tattoos but Are there any old religions/mythologies where people would get tattood to get closer to or for their god?
The majority of Sunni Muslims believe ...
0
votes
1answer
34 views
Are there any examples of human sacrifice in tribal societies?
Specifically, I mean human sacrifices of their own members (not outside members or prisoners). After watching a chilling movie related to the topic I started thinking more about human sacrifice and ...
4
votes
1answer
113 views
Why thank the person who is cutting out your heart?
So, my grandfather got back from vacation yesterday. As we were looking through his pictures today and explaining them to me (what's he doing/going on...), we came to the part with the Aztec Pyramids. ...
2
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0answers
25 views
Why does Eumaeus singles out the nymphs and Hermes in his offerings?
In Odyssey 14 Eumaeus the swineherd is the first person that meets Odysseus upon his return to Ithaca. Although he doesn't recognize his master, he offers him shelter and treats him to a feast:
...
12
votes
1answer
300 views
What kind of offerings did worshipers make to Thor?
I'm currently playing a role-playing game as a cleric that worships a god of storms and I'm researching what kinds of offerings that god would likely accept.
What examples are there of the kinds of ...
2
votes
1answer
69 views
Is there any mention of human sacrifice in the mythologies of Britain of the period before advent of Christianity?
In the mythologies that are there for the period in Scotland and England before the advent of Christianity, is there any mention of any practice of human sacrifice for religious rituals?
4
votes
1answer
126 views
Why do we dress up to celebrate Halloween?
Why do people wear elaborate masks and costumes to celebrate Halloween?
Did people dress up during the pagan festivals that inspired Halloween, or is the practice a modern addition?
6
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0answers
70 views
Did the Greeks have an offering of blood, wine and milk, similar to the Cretan one?
So I found this big old book about ancient cultures and in it, the typical offering on Crete was blood, wine and milk. Mixed together in a big bowl. The book describes the mix as a symbol for the ...
3
votes
1answer
179 views
How would a body be prepared for the Greek afterlife?
The only thing I know is that one must place a coin under the tongue to pay Charon, the ferry man of the Underworld.
10
votes
2answers
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Symbolism of three characters leading Mayday ritual in The Wicker Man
In The Wicker Man (1973), the Mayday procession is headed by three masked characters:
Their cast includes many alarming characters:
A man-animal, or hobbyhorse,
who canters at the head of the
...
10
votes
1answer
273 views
How did the Norse ship burial ritual originate from?
The Norse ship burial, according to Wikipedia:
A prominent tradition is that of the ship burial, where the deceased
was laid in a boat, or a stone ship, and given grave offerings in
accordance ...
18
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1answer
3k views
Why would slaves be sacrificed after their master's death?
Sacrifice is a common practice in the Norse pagan religion.
Sacrifice (blót) played a huge role in most of the rituals that are known about today, and communal feasting on the meat of sacrificed ...
