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Ancestor Worship

Definition

Ancestor worship refers to the religious or spiritual practice of revering and paying homage to deceased family members. It involves beliefs that ancestors have the power to influence the lives of their living descendants.

Analogy

Think of ancestor worship like having a guardian angel watching over you. Just as people believe that angels can protect them from harm or guide them in life, those who practice ancestor worship believe that their ancestors have similar powers to help and guide them.

Related terms

Rituals: Ancestor worship often involves performing rituals or ceremonies dedicated to honoring ancestors. These rituals can include offerings of food, incense, prayers, or even elaborate ceremonies on specific occasions.

Spirituality: Ancestor worship is deeply rooted in spirituality as it involves connecting with the spiritual realm through reverence for deceased family members. It encompasses beliefs about the afterlife and the continued presence of ancestors in the lives of their descendants.

Commemoration: Ancestor worship includes acts of commemoration where individuals remember and celebrate the lives of their deceased family members. This can be done through various means such as creating altars or participating in annual memorial services.