The word "sacred" refers to something that is set apart for the worship or service of a god. It is seen as deserving of respect and devotion, and it can make people feel awe or deep admiration. This term is often used to describe objects, such as items that are treated with respect and considered holy, or places, such as areas that are considered special or holy.
Etymology
The word "sacred" comes from the Latin word "sacer," which means something that is used for special purposes, given to the gods, or made clean. It also refers to priests, known as "sacerdotes" in Latin. The Latin word "sacer" comes from an ancient language called Proto-Indo-European, which had the word *seh₂k- meaning "sacred, ceremony, or ritual."
Holy
The English words "sacred" and "holy" have similar meanings and are sometimes used in the same way, but they have small differences. In the Christian tradition, "holy" is often used to describe people and their relationships, while "sacred" is used to describe objects, places, or events. For example, a saint may be described as holy but not necessarily sacred. However, some things can be both holy and sacred, such as the Holy Bible.
Both "sacred" and "holy" describe something or someone that is set apart for worshiping God and deserves respect. The word "holy" is stronger and means having a special or essential quality. Holiness comes from God and is given to people, places, times, or things involved in His service. Thomas Aquinas explained that holiness is the virtue that helps a person focus all their thoughts and actions on God. He placed it among virtues given by God and connected it to the virtue of religion. While religion involves offering proper service to God in matters related to worship, holiness means making all actions serve God. Holiness, or sanctity, is the result of sanctification, a divine act in which God freely makes a person just and claims them as His own.
The English word "holy" comes from the Proto-Germanic word "hailagaz," used around 500 BC. This word was an adjective based on "hailaz," meaning "whole" or "uninjured." It described something complete or healthy. In everyday language, "holy" refers to something or someone connected to a divine power, such as water used in baptism.
Transitions
The idea of things being connected to the sacred is common in many religions. This makes people, places, and objects respected, used for special purposes, or considered holy. Words like "hallow," "sanctify," and "consecrate" describe this idea. These words are opposite to "desecrate" and "deconsecrate," which mean to treat something sacred in an improper way. Different groups use these terms in various ways.
The words "sanctify" and "consecrate" come from Latin. "Sanctificare" means to set something apart for a special purpose or make it holy. "Consecratus" means something is dedicated or sacred.
The verb "to hallow" is old-fashioned in English and is only used in the Lord's Prayer in the New Testament. The noun "hallow," as in "Hallowtide," means the same as "saint."
In Christianity, details about sanctification and consecration vary among different groups. Sanctification usually means a person becomes holy. Consecration may involve setting apart a person, building, or object for God. Some Christian groups have a ceremony called "deconsecration" to remove the sacred status of something before it is destroyed or sold for regular use.
The Book of Exodus describes how Aaronite priests and religious objects were made holy through washing, clothing, anointing, and sacrifices. This made the priests and their clothes holy. Similarly, the altar was made holy in a way that anything touching it also became sacred, making it unfit for regular use. A commentary on the Book of Leviticus explains that holiness is seen as God's presence affecting everything it touches, making those things belong to God.
In rabbinic Judaism, sanctifying God's name means doing acts of kindness or showing bravery, especially in the face of death. Desecrating God's name means committing sins. This is based on the Jewish belief that God's holiness is pure goodness, which can be passed on to people and things.
In Islam, sanctification is called "tazkiah." Other related terms include "Islah-i qalb" (reforming the heart), "Ihsan" (beautification), "taharat" (purification), "ikhlas" (purity), and "qalb-is-salim" (a pure heart). "Tasawuf" (Sufism) is often misunderstood as a form of sanctification in Islam. Sufis sometimes say, "God sanctifies his secret" ("qaddasa Llahou Sirruhu"), meaning that a saint, whether alive or dead, is connected to God.
In Buddhism, images of the Buddha and bodhisattvas are ceremonially made holy through rituals that vary by tradition. These rituals are called "Buddhābhiseka" in Pali and Sanskrit.
In Mormonism, the idea of consecration is important. It includes Jesus being called "The Anointed One," showing his role as the savior of humanity. It also involves individuals choosing to follow Jesus' will and dedicating their lives to him. Examples from the Book of Mormon include: "Sanctification comes because people give their hearts to God" (Helaman 3:35) and "Come to Christ, the Holy One of Israel, and accept his salvation… offer your whole soul to him" (Omni 1:26).
In many South Indian Hindu temples, a ceremony called "Kumbhabhishekam" is held every 12 years. It is done to purify the temple after repairs or to renew its holiness. Hindus celebrate this event, believing it brings "punya" (good karma).
In Jainism, a ceremony called "Panch Kalyanaka Pratishtha Mahotsava" is used to consecrate statues of Jain Tirthankaras. This ceremony celebrates the five auspicious events in a Tirthankara's life. It is held when a new temple is built or new idols are placed in temples. The ceremony must be led by a religious leader, such as an Acharya, Bhattaraka, or a scholar approved by them.
In academia
Hierology (from Greek: hieros, meaning "sacred or holy," and -logy, meaning "study") is the study of sacred writings or knowledge. The term was created in 2002 by Russian art historian and Byzantine scholar Alexei Lidov.
Mircea Eliade explained that religion is not only about believing in gods but also about experiencing the sacred. The sacred and the profane (non-sacred) are connected, not opposites. The profane can show the sacred in certain ways.
French sociologist Émile Durkheim believed the sacred is linked to a higher power but is actually a way society expresses itself through shared beliefs and rituals. Later scholars, like Alan Mittleman and Mircea Eliade, suggested that sacredness arises from social interactions, not just an illusion. Durkheim also said the difference between the sacred and the profane is central to religion. He described religion as a system of beliefs and practices about sacred things—items or ideas that are set apart and treated with respect. In his view, the sacred represented the unity of a group, often shown through symbols like totems. The profane, however, dealt with everyday, personal matters. Durkheim clearly stated that the sacred and profane are not the same as good and evil. Both the sacred and the profane could be good or bad.
In religion
In ancient Roman religion, the idea of sacrosanctity (Latin: sacrosanctitas) was very important for protecting the tribunes of the plebs from harm. Later, the power of the tribunes was taken over by emperors, who gained the same sacred protections. Romans also performed rituals, such as the sulcus primigenius, when building new cities—especially formal colonies—to make the walls of the city ritually sacred for protection. However, city gates were not included in this ritual to allow the removal of bodies to cemeteries and other tasks considered less sacred.
Religions of Indian origin, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, respect and protect nature by considering certain objects sacred, like rivers, trees, forests, and mountains. Sacred rivers are important in many religions, especially those that value protecting the environment. For example, Hinduism honors rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna, and Sarasvati. Ancient religious texts, such as the Vedas and the Gita, were written near the Sarasvati River during the Kuru kingdom in present-day Haryana. Other important rivers in Hinduism include the Narmada and others.
Sacred mountains in Hinduism include Mount Kailash in Tibet, Nanda Devi, Char Dham mountains, Amarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Sarasvotri (the source of the Sarasvati River), and Dhosi Hill.
In Theravada Buddhism, the term ariya-puggala refers to a "noble person." Buddha described four stages of spiritual growth based on how much a person has overcome certain mental obstacles. These stages, in order of increasing holiness, are Sotāpanna, Sakadagami, Anāgāmi, and Arahant.
Different religious groups have varied beliefs about sacredness. The Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, and Methodist Churches consider certain religious practices, like Holy Communion and Holy Baptism, as sacred. They also value the Holy Catholic Church, Holy Scripture, Holy Trinity, and Holy Covenant. These groups believe angels and saints are holy. In Methodist theology, holiness is linked to personal transformation through spiritual renewal. The Holiness movement began in the United States Methodist Church and later split into the Conservative Holiness Movement in the 20th century. The Higher Life movement started in the British Isles in the 19th century.
Some religious groups have strict rules about how people should dress and behave to show holiness. These may include short hair for men, long hair for women, avoiding certain clothing, makeup, or jewelry, and avoiding places like movie theaters or swimming pools. Other rules include not watching television or listening to the radio.
In the Quran, the name Al-Quddus (القدوس) means "holy" or "sacred" and is used in verses about God’s holiness. This word shares the same root as the Hebrew word kodesh, meaning "holy." The name for Jerusalem, al-Quds, also comes from this root.
In Islam, the word ḥarām (حرام) means "sacred" or "forbidden" when referring to holy places. Examples include:
– Masjid al-Haram, the Sacred Mosque in Mecca, surrounding the Kaaba;
– al-Haramain, the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina;
– Haram ash-Sharif, the Noble Sanctuary in Jerusalem, including the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque.
In Hebrew, the word kodesh (קֹדֶשׁ) means "set apart" or "holy." Holiness (kedushah) is created through relationships with God or through sacred purposes. Jewish teachings say holiness is not a physical thing but a status given by God, recognized by the community, and chosen by people. Holiness can be found in everyday life through rituals, ethical actions, and awareness of God’s presence.
Holiness is not one fixed state but a range of levels. The Mishnah describes different areas around the Temple in Jerusalem, each with its own level of holiness:
– Holy of Holies (most sacred),
– Temple Sanctuary,
– Temple Vestibule,
– Court of Priests,
– Court of Israelites,
– Court of Women,
– Temple Mount,
– Walled city of Jerusalem,
– All walled cities of Israel,
– Borders of the Land of Israel.
Time is important in Jewish views of holiness. Shabbat (the Sabbath) and Jewish holidays are considered sacred after the Temple was destroyed. The Sabbath is holy even without human actions, but Jewish laws require specific preparations and restrictions, such as avoiding work. Rabbinic tradition lists 39 types of activities not allowed on these days.