Post by Ang on Aug 14, 2005 20:26:41 GMT -5
Water is the natural element for cleansing, and hence its use was
common in almost every ancient faith, to denote interior
purification. Among the Greeks and Romans the sprinkling of water,
or "lustration," was an important feature of religious ceremonies.
Cities were purified by its use, fields were prepared for planting by being blessed with water. Armies setting out for war were put under the protection of the gods by being sprinkled in a similar manner. Among the Egyptians the use of holy water was even more common, the priests being required to bathe in it twice a day and twice a night, that they might thereby be sanctified for their religious duties. The Brahmins and others of the far Orient, and even the Indians of our own continent, have always attached great importance to ceremonial purification by means of water.
~Ang
common in almost every ancient faith, to denote interior
purification. Among the Greeks and Romans the sprinkling of water,
or "lustration," was an important feature of religious ceremonies.
Cities were purified by its use, fields were prepared for planting by being blessed with water. Armies setting out for war were put under the protection of the gods by being sprinkled in a similar manner. Among the Egyptians the use of holy water was even more common, the priests being required to bathe in it twice a day and twice a night, that they might thereby be sanctified for their religious duties. The Brahmins and others of the far Orient, and even the Indians of our own continent, have always attached great importance to ceremonial purification by means of water.
~Ang