Libation
The libation or libation (from Latin libatio "libation") is a form of religious sacrifice . In places of worship , but also in mundane places, liquids are poured over a consecrated object. The libation was offered on its own or with other offerings (often as part of a food offering). In connection with bloody sacrifices, the liquid was poured over the burning sacrificial animals at the beginning and end of the rite. Independent libations took place in the ancient Greek oath (spondē , also means "contract") or in the cult of the dead with the incuration (ancient Greek choē ) made from unmixed wine directly on the ground. The ritual could be carried out by the consecration bearers who were specially called in; The second part of Aeschylus Orestie is named after these Choephores .
history
Through archaeological finds vessels for libations since the Neolithic occupied the eastern Mediterranean ( Egypt , Crete , Asia Minor ) and in Mesopotamia from early times. Written certificates provide information on the spread and practice of libation. The goddess Hathor had her own hymn about her libation (ancient Egyptian qebech , the corresponding hieroglyph W15 shows a water dispenser), the Book of 4. Book of Moses (Numbers 28-29) instructed the Israelites in detail how to make their libations in addition to fire and Had to carry out food offerings.
distribution
A large number of religions have developed forms of libation, which are not infrequently based on a long tradition. Indian ghee (clarified butter) often plays a libatory role in Vedic rituals that lasted until the 13th century BC. Backdate. The Japanese Shinto , whose roots in a pre-Buddhist overprinted animism are, the act of worship done in a shrine usually with holy Sake (rarely with beer), the private sector and fresh water can be used, which offered in plain porcelain or metal bowls becomes.
In the Greek and Roman religions, the libation of liquids such as water, milk, honey, wine or oil was the most common cult act. It happened in the morning and in the evening, for prayer, during the oath, when starting a journey or at symposia and banquets. Libra belonged so naturally to the religious sphere that even gods were depicted in this cult act and the libation bowl became the actual divine attribute. The great need for libations inspired Heron of Alexandria to develop an automaton described in his work Pneumatika : a loose wooden disc covered a filled donor vessel; the weight of which, after a coin had been inserted, pushed the liquid up through a pipe, where the believer could collect it.
Even Celts and Germans knew libations, the amount of the cast at the sacrificial substance in the story declined more and more and only amounted to a few drops at the end.
Sacrificial vessels
The vessels used in the libation usually differed from those used in everyday life. A common vessel was the rhyton , libation was also done with φιάλη (phialē) or patera (both offering bowls ) and guttus (a sacrificial jug ). The terms for the libations were called in Greek Sponde (then also called the spondee than conventional metrical foot of libation chant), Loibe and Choe , or for wine victims oinosponda and the chthonic cult Nephalia and in Latin libatio .
literature
- Hans Bonnet : Libitation. In: Lexicon of Egyptian Religious History. Hamburg 2000, ISBN 3-937872-08-6 , pp. 424-426.
