ancestor worship

ancestor worship
noun Date: 1854 the custom of venerating deceased ancestors who are considered still a part of the family and whose spirits are believed to have the power to intervene in the affairs of the living

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Ancestor worship — is a practice based on the belief that deceased family members have a continued existence, take an interest in the affairs of the world, and/or possess the ability to influence the fortune of the living. All cultures attach ritual significance to …   Wikipedia

  • ancestor worship —    Worship of the ancestors (pitris) is a tradition in India dating to Vedic times (c. 1500 B.C.E.) Tradi tionally, a man is expected to offer libations of oil and water to his deceased father, grandfather, and great grandfather. The anniversary… …   Encyclopedia of Hinduism

  • ancestor worship — Anthropol. (in certain societies) the veneration of ancestors whose spirits are frequently held to possess the power to influence the affairs of the living. [1850 55] * * * Religious beliefs or practices that involve addressing prayers or… …   Universalium

  • ancestor worship — noun worship of ancestors • Hypernyms: ↑worship * * * Anthropol. (in certain societies) the veneration of ancestors whose spirits are frequently held to possess the power to influence the affairs of the living. [1850 55] * * * ancestor worship,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Ancestor Worship —    The system of ancestor worship practised by the Chinese, and in other parts of the world, is an essential step in the process of creating gods from cultural heroes. The rank of god was originally a posthumous one, the assumption of divinity by …   Who’s Who in non-classical mythology

  • ancestor-worship — anˈcestor worship noun • • • Main Entry: ↑ancestor …   Useful english dictionary

  • ANCESTOR-WORSHIP —    the worship of ancestors that prevails in primitive nations, due to a belief in ANIMISM (q.v.) …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • ancestor worship — The real or supposed ancestors of the Hebrews were venerated and were felt to be so close that their descendants even continued to suffer for their sins (Exod. 20:5). Not surprisingly it would seem that a cult of the dead infiltrated into Israel… …   Dictionary of the Bible

  • ancestor worship — religious practice in which dead family members are venerated due to the belief that their spirits can influence the lives of the living …   English contemporary dictionary

  • ancestor worship — an′cestor wor ship n. ant (in certain societies) the veneration of ancestors whose spirits are frequently held to possess the power to influence the affairs of the living • Etymology: 1850–55 …   From formal English to slang

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