Knowledge you can walk. Read the idea below, then step up to the general, across to peers or down to the specific.
Spiritual
Natural Sanctuaries
Natural sanctuaries are mountains, forests, rivers and other natural places that hold special spiritual meaning for a people or community.
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The idea
A natural sanctuary is a natural feature, or a large area of land or water, that has special spiritual meaning for a group of people. Unlike a temple or church, it is not built by people. It can be almost any kind of natural place, including mountains, hills, forests, single trees, rivers, lakes, caves, islands and springs. These places are often treated as sacred spaces in their own right.
Sacred groves are one well-known kind. They are stands of trees with special religious importance, and they appear in cultures all over the world. They were part of the religious life of ancient Greeks, Romans, Celts and many others, and they are still found today in places such as India, Japan, China, West Africa and Ethiopia. The Lakota and various other North American tribes also regard particular forests and natural landmarks as sacred.
Because people respect these places, they often protect them. Many sacred groves are mostly left untouched and are guarded by local communities. As a result, they can play a critical role in protecting water sources and biodiversity, the variety of life in an area.
Check yourself
Question 1 of 2
What are single trees that a community believes hold religious meaning called?
Composition
what it's made of
- Natural feature — The mountain, forest, river, spring or other place itself.
- Spiritual significance — The special meaning the place holds for a people or community.
- Community protection — Local people who guard the site and limit its use.
- Sacred trees — Single trees that a community believes hold religious significance.
Connection
how it relates
Under Sacred Spaces
Change
how and why it evolves
- Past
- Sacred groves were important in many ancient religions, and during the Northern Crusades of the Middle Ages, conquering Christians often built churches on the sites of sacred groves.
- Now
- Today many sacred natural sites are still guarded by the communities that honor them, and they help protect water and wildlife.
- Next
- Conservation groups and local communities may increasingly work together to protect these sites, though pressure from development will likely continue.