fasting rituals
Deliberate hunger practices
Fasting rituals are religious or spiritual practices involving deliberate abstention from food, drink, or both for prescribed periods.
Nearly every major tradition includes them—Ramadan in Islam, Yom Kippur in Judaism, Lent in Christianity, Ekadashi in Hinduism.
The ritual aspect distinguishes spiritual fasting from dieting or hunger strikes: The monks observe strict fasting rituals during the retreat.
Rules vary widely—some forbid all consumption, others permit water or restrict only certain foods.
- LentChristian fasting season
- NavratriNine-night Hindu festival
- Tisha B'AvJewish fast commemorating calamities
- religious observancePractice of faith duties
- MandanSiouan people of Dakota
sunrise prayers · Ramadan · holy month · intermittent fasting · juice cleanse · empty stomach · fasting · Yom Kippur · food customs · asceticism · vow · hunger strikes · atonement · community feasts · spiritual purification · discipline · restraint · communal dining
- TaoismTao, Taoism, Daoism, Laozi, Lao Tzu
- old customsarranged marriage, arranged marriages, dowry, betrothal, courtship rituals
- Jainismahimsa, moksha, right conduct, non-violence, non-attachment
- Digambara Jainismmuni, munis
- cultural traditionsflamenco, tango, kabuki, hula, capoeira
- Hindu ritualspuja, aarti, darshan, pradakshina, tilak
fasting ritualsceremonial feasts
Formal meals for occasions
potlatch · gluttony · binge eating · food offerings · gorging
fasting ritualsfeast days
Religious celebration dates
religious festivals · wedding feasts · Passover seder · Easter feast · Eid al-Fitr