Rituals
Ancient Mesopotamian rituals mostly involve making offerings and sacrifices in the temples to please the Gods. Many Mesopotamian texts have described these rituals to be 'magical'. Rituals could be performed on a daily basis or some could be performed yearly.
Making offerings and sacrifices in the temples to feed the Gods was a daily duty. This was thought to sustain the Gods, please them keep them content and comfortable.
Another ritual called Mis pi, was a purification ritual and was performed whenever a person or object was thought to have come into contact with the God's. Mis pi was also performed whenever a new temple or statue was created.
Another common ritual involved the use of amulets to protect the wearer from the evil wrath of Gods, Spirits and demons.
The Ancient Mesopotamian burial customs included placing their body in a ceramic jar. Other burial options were to use carpet or mats to wrap the body. Along with burials, the Ancient Mesopotamians believed in in scripting the graves of the deceased
Many of these rituals have become an essential part of the daily life in the Ancient Mesopotamian religion.
Making offerings and sacrifices in the temples to feed the Gods was a daily duty. This was thought to sustain the Gods, please them keep them content and comfortable.
Another ritual called Mis pi, was a purification ritual and was performed whenever a person or object was thought to have come into contact with the God's. Mis pi was also performed whenever a new temple or statue was created.
Another common ritual involved the use of amulets to protect the wearer from the evil wrath of Gods, Spirits and demons.
The Ancient Mesopotamian burial customs included placing their body in a ceramic jar. Other burial options were to use carpet or mats to wrap the body. Along with burials, the Ancient Mesopotamians believed in in scripting the graves of the deceased
Many of these rituals have become an essential part of the daily life in the Ancient Mesopotamian religion.
Worship
The Ancient Mesopotamian's worshiped multiple Gods, Deities, spirits and demons. This worship took place in temples which were often the most central and were considered to be the most important buildings in Mesopotamia. These temples where dedicated to individual spirits or deities and could sometimes be quite elaborate depending on the city’s wealth. The larger temples were called Ziggurats.
In Mesopotamian temples there was a central shrine with a statue of a deity placed in front of the Altar so that all the congregation could see it.
Worshiping the Gods is daily activity in conjunction with making sacrifices for the Gods and carrying out the Gods duties.
Learn more about scared worship spaces:
In Mesopotamian temples there was a central shrine with a statue of a deity placed in front of the Altar so that all the congregation could see it.
Worshiping the Gods is daily activity in conjunction with making sacrifices for the Gods and carrying out the Gods duties.
Learn more about scared worship spaces:
Festivals
As the Ancient Mesopotamian culture and religion developed, the festivals, ceremonies and traditions became an important part in the lives of many. The many rituals and festivals of Ancient Mesopotamian culture were based around rites of passage, such as birth or marriage. These celebrations were held like banquets and had dancing, music and food.
A predominant festival in Ancient Mesopotamian culture is the Akitu festival. Akitu is the oldest New Years festival in written records which dates back to the middle of the third millennium B.C.E. It takes place in the first month of the year in the Babylonian calendar (March/April), hence why it is called the New Years festival. Akin also celebrates the season in Ancient Mesopotamia of sowing and cutting barley.
A predominant festival in Ancient Mesopotamian culture is the Akitu festival. Akitu is the oldest New Years festival in written records which dates back to the middle of the third millennium B.C.E. It takes place in the first month of the year in the Babylonian calendar (March/April), hence why it is called the New Years festival. Akin also celebrates the season in Ancient Mesopotamia of sowing and cutting barley.