ancient rites
Primordial sacred practices
Ancient rites are ceremonial practices passed down from distant times, often religious or cultural in nature.
The phrase evokes mystery and solemnity—sacrifices, initiations, seasonal observances: The tribe still performs ancient rites at the solstice.
It appears frequently in fantasy and horror contexts, suggesting forbidden or supernatural rituals: They awakened something dark through ancient rites.
- consecrationDedicating to sacred purpose
- invocationCalling upon higher authority
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- marriageFormal union between partners
- prayerAddress to deity
offering · holy water · ancestor veneration · spirit world · sacred grove · mummification · drum circle · mystery cults · libation · incantation · naming ceremony · lustration · purification · sacred fire · seasonal festivals · chanting · sacred dance · harvest festival
- Ancient MesopotamiaBabylon, Assyria, cuneiform, Nineveh, Sumer
- shamanismshamans, shaman, spirit guide, medicine man, medicine woman
- FreemasonryMason, Masons, Freemasons, Freemasonry, lodge
- Baltic paganismMara, thunder god, sun goddess, earth goddess, world tree
- liturgyDivine Office, missal, lectionary, rite, Tridentine Mass
- Irish FaithSt. Patrick, St. Brigid, Celtic cross, Catholic Church, holy well