Final answer:
Symbols in religious practices and rituals include objects, actions, and places that carry profound spiritual significance, such as the cross in Christianity and the crescent moon and star in Islam. These symbols are embedded in rituals, which are activities aiming to influence supernatural forces and express communal beliefs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Symbolism is crucial to understanding religious practices and rituals, serving not only as physical representations but also carrying deep metaphorical and spiritual significance. Elements and symbols included in religious rituals might be the cross in Christianity, representing Jesus' sacrifice and atonement, or the crescent moon and star in Islam as a symbol of faith. In Hinduism, the Om symbol signifies the essence of ultimate reality, and the ritual use of water in various religions can symbolize purification.
Religious symbols and ritualism:
Rituals are defined as a sequence of activities designed to influence supernatural entities or forces, often including symbolic objects and actions that communicate deeper meanings. For instance, the white wedding dress in western cultures symbolizes purity, while ritualistic dances may act as a form of devotion or spiritual communication. Similarly, places can become sacred through their association with religious experiences or miracles, as seen in various pilgrimage sites across the world.
Symbolism in religion enables believers to express and communicate complex spiritual ideas and emotions. Through symbols and rituals, followers of a religion can manifest their faith in tangible ways and maintain a connection to the divine, to the supernatural realm, and to their community's shared beliefs.