ritual purification
Ceremonial spiritual cleansing
Ritual purification is a ceremonial cleansing meant to remove spiritual contamination or prepare someone for sacred activities.
Found across religions—baptism, ablution before Islamic prayer, Jewish mikveh immersion—the practice addresses symbolic rather than physical uncleanliness.
The priest underwent ritual purification before entering the temple.
The concept extends metaphorically to any cleansing of guilt or moral taint.
- mikvehJewish purification immersion pool
- holy waterSacramental liquid for blessings
- ablutionRitualized washing of body
- baptismRitual water purification ceremony
- lustrationCleansing rite or vetting
smudging · sacred smoke · incense · sweat lodge · catharsis · confession · salt · repentance · anointing · running water · forgiveness · renewal · white clothing · sacrament · fire · sin offering · fasting · new moon
- ritualsrite, ceremony, sacrament, blessing, prayer
- Hajjhajj, Mecca, Makkah, Kaaba, Arafat
- occultwitchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, black magic, tarot
- mummificationembalming, linen bandages, wrapping, evisceration, canopic jars
- Warfare Customswar cry, battle cry, war drums, war drum, war chant
- Daoist practiceqigong, tai chi, shen, Tao Te Ching, cultivation
ritual purificationdesecration
Violating something sacred
profanation · contamination · sacrilege · pollution · blasphemy
ritual purificationcursing
Using profane language
excommunication · anathema · malediction · hex · black mass