CogKnoSys

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Spiritual

Sacred Spaces

Sacred spaces are places people regard as holy, from natural sites like groves and springs to temples and shrines.

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The idea

A sacred space is a place that people regard as holy. It is often marked off by boundaries or symbols and treated as consecrated by a religion or culture. Sacred spaces can be natural, such as a mountain or a spring, or built by people, such as a temple. A natural place can become sacred through long tradition or through a blessing.

Many sacred places become home to sanctuaries, shrines, places of worship or spots for meditation. They often come with rules, such as limits on who may enter or what people may do there. In the Book of Exodus, Moses is told to remove his shoes before the burning bush because the ground is holy, a sign of the respect such places call for.

Some sacred places draw pilgrims, travelers who make a journey, often on foot, to a holy place. A pilgrimage can change the pilgrim, who then returns to daily life. Scholars of religion describe a sacred space as a place where a believer can reach God. The historian of religion Mircea Eliade argued that sacred places are not only religious, because secular societies can also treat sites as sacred for historical, cultural or natural reasons.

Check yourself

Question 1 of 3

Which scholar argued that secular societies can also have sacred places?

Pick one. The first pick counts.

Composition

what it's made of

  • Boundaries and symbols — Markers that set a sacred area apart from ordinary ground.
  • Natural sites — Mountains, springs, groves and other features held sacred through tradition or blessing.
  • Built sanctuaries — Temples, shrines and other places of worship.
  • Rules and taboos — Limits on who may enter and how people should act.
  • Pilgrims — Travelers who journey to a holy place.

Connection

how it relates

Under Spiritual

Related

  1. Meditationstrength 70 of 100

    Many sacred places are chosen or built as quiet spots for meditation.

In place

  1. Ceremonial Ritesstrength 60 of 100

    Sacred places often host rituals and ceremonies.

Felt

  1. Nature Connectionstrength 50 of 100

    When a mountain, spring or grove is held sacred, visiting it can deepen a person's sense of connection to nature.

Change

how and why it evolves

Past
Sacred spaces have been a central part of religious practice for millennia.
Now
Today one place may be sacred to more than one religion, and some sites draw pilgrims from great distances.
Next
As more people visit famous sacred sites, communities will likely keep balancing access for visitors with protecting these places.

Knowledge you can walk. Read the idea, then step up, across or down.

Sacred Spaces

Sacred spaces are places people regard as holy, from natural sites like groves and springs to temples and shrines.

Learn, discuss, create, buy or invest

The idea

A sacred space is a place that people regard as holy. It is often marked off by boundaries or symbols and treated as consecrated by a religion or culture. Sacred spaces can be natural, such as a mountain or a spring, or built by people, such as a temple. A natural place can become sacred through long tradition or through a blessing.

Many sacred places become home to sanctuaries, shrines, places of worship or spots for meditation. They often come with rules, such as limits on who may enter or what people may do there. In the Book of Exodus, Moses is told to remove his shoes before the burning bush because the ground is holy, a sign of the respect such places call for.

Some sacred places draw pilgrims, travelers who make a journey, often on foot, to a holy place. A pilgrimage can change the pilgrim, who then returns to daily life. Scholars of religion describe a sacred space as a place where a believer can reach God. The historian of religion Mircea Eliade argued that sacred places are not only religious, because secular societies can also treat sites as sacred for historical, cultural or natural reasons.

Check yourself

3 quick questions, instant feedback.