by Benard Udoh

Created on: April 01, 2008

Water plays a central role in many religions and beliefs around the world: Source of life, it represents (re)birth. Water cleans the body, and by extension purifies it, and these two main qualities confer a highly symbolic even sacred - status to water. Water is therefore a key element in ceremonies and religious rites.

Water is often perceived as a god, goddess or divine agency in religions. Rivers, rain, ponds, lakes, glaciers, hailstorms or snow are some of the forms water may take when interpreted and incorporated in cultural and religious spheres.

Religious water is never neutral and passive. It is considered to have powers and capacities to transform this world, annihilate sins and create holiness. Water carries away pollution and purifies both in a physical and symbolical sense. Water is a living and spiritual matter, working as a mediator between humans and gods. It often represents the border between this world and the other
Water is intrinsically linked to baptism, a public declaration of faith and a sign of welcome into the Christian church. When baptised, one is fully or partially immersed in water, or one's head may simply be sprinkled with a few drops of water. The sacrament has its roots in the Gospel, wherein it is written that Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. In baptism, water symbolizes purification, the rejection of the original sin.
In the New Testament, 'living water' or 'water of life' represents the spirit of God, that is, eternal life.

Water is imbued with powers of spiritual purification for Hindus, for whom morning cleansing with water is an everyday obligation. All temples are located near a water source, and followers must bathe before entering the temple. Many pilgrimage sites are found on river banks; sites where two, or even three, rivers converge are considered particularly sacred.
For Muslims, water serves above and beyond all for purification. There are three sorts of blutions:

The first and most important involves washing the whole body; it is obligatory after sex, and recommended before the Friday prayers and before touching the Koran.
Before each of the five daily prayers, Muslims must bathe their head, wash their hands, forearms and feet. All mosques provide a water source, usually a fountain, for this ablution.
When water is scarce, followers of Islam use sand to cleanse themselves; this is the third form of ablution.

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