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Sacred grove

Ancient monoliths in Mawphlang sacred grove, India

Sacred groves, sacred woods, or sacred forests are groves of trees that have special religious importance within a particular culture. Sacred groves feature in various cultures throughout the world. These are forest areas that are, for the most part, untouched by local people and often protected by local communities. They often play a critical role in protecting water sources and biodiversity, including essential resources for the groups that protect them.[1]

They were important features of the mythological landscape and cult practice of Celtic, Estonian, Baltic, Germanic, ancient Greek, Near Eastern, Roman, and Slavic polytheism. They are also found in locations such as India (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu), Japan (sacred shrine forests[2]), China (Fengshui woodland), West Africa and Ethiopia (church forests[3]). Examples of sacred groves include the Greco-Roman temenos, various Germanic words for sacred groves, and the Celtic nemeton, which was largely but not exclusively associated with Druidic practice.[4]

During the Northern Crusades of the Middle Ages, conquering Christians commonly built churches on the sites of sacred groves. The Lakota and various other North American tribes regard particular forests or other natural landmarks as sacred places. Singular trees which a community deems to hold religious significance are known as sacred trees.

  1. ^ Coggins, Chris and Bixia Chen (Eds/Auths). 2022. Sacred Forests of Asia: Spiritual Ecology and the Politics of Nature Conservation. Routledge/Earthscan Forest Library. https://www.routledge.com/Sacred-Forests-of-Asia-Spiritual-Ecology-and-the-Politics-of-Nature-Conservation/Coggins-Chen/p/book/9780367698737}
  2. ^ "Eternal Forests: The Veneration of Old Trees in Japan, Arnold Arboretum". arboretum.harvard.edu. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  3. ^ "See the incredible "church forests" of Ethiopia". Environment. 2019-01-18. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  4. ^ Wiśniewski, Tomasz (2022-03-18). "Practice Courage, Abstain from Wrongdoing". Przekrój.org. Retrieved 2024-11-17.

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بستان مقدس Arabic পবিত্ৰ গছ AS Bosc sagrat Catalan Posvátný háj Czech Baumkult German Bosque sagrado Spanish Baso sakratu EU Pyhä lehto Finnish Bois sacré French पवित्र उपवन HI

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