Votive offering facts for kids

Votive paintings in the ambulatory of the Chapel of Grace, in Altötting, Bavaria, Germany

A votive offering or votive deposit is one or more objects displayed or deposited, without the intention of recovery or use, in a sacred place for religious purposes. Such items are a feature of modern and ancient societies and are generally made in order to gain favor with supernatural forces.

In archaeology, votive deposits differ from hoards in that although they may contain similar items, votive deposits were not intended for later recovery.

Images for kids

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  Part of a female face with inlaid eyes, Ancient Greek Votive offering, 4th century BC, probably by Praxias, set in a niche of a pillar in the sanctuary of Asclepios in Athens, Acropolis Museum, Athens

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  Votive crown of the Visigoth King Recceswinth († 672), part of the Treasure of Guarrazar. Made of gold and precious stones in the second half of the 7th century. National Archaeological Museum of Spain (Madrid).

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  Tamata (votive offerings) left in front of an icon of the Black Madonna in Chania, Crete

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  Stupika which contains Buddhist votive tablets, 8th-century Bali

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  Ayagapatta, c. 1st Century, excavated from Kankali Tila

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  Wonderworking icon of the Theotokos, "The Three-handed" (Trojeručica); the third hand in silver is a votive offering in thanksgiving for a miracle.

See also

In Spanish: Ofrenda votiva para niños