Firekeeper
Encyclopedia
Firekeeper or flametender describes a specific ceremonial role, common in the religious practices of a variety of cultures. A firekeeper or flametender tends the sacred fire in the manner specific to the religious traditions
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...

 of that culture.

Overview

The open flame was a necessary and important part of ancient human civilizations, and often was invested with religious meaning. Similarly, those entrusted with tending this flame often held a sacral role in the culture. This role continues in many traditional cultures into the present day.

A sacred fire is often a place for the offering of prayers, herbs, food, and sacrifices of artwork. An eternal flame or perpetual fire provides hot coals for the smoldering of herbs. A sacred fire is usually kept separate from any cooking fire, and placed in or near a ceremonial enclosure.

In the past world of no matches, and no easy ways of making fire under wet conditions, it was necessary for someone to keep the flames or red coals burning for long periods of time.

In a Native American Sweatlodge ceremony, its the Firekeeper who is responsible for making sure that the stones inside the fire are hot enough to make the people inside sweat. The Firekeeper is also responsible for making sure that all the supplies that may or may not be needed by the lodge leader are within easy reach of the Sweat lodge.

See also

  • Brigid
    Brigid
    In Irish mythology, Brigit or Brighid was the daughter of the Dagda and one of the Tuatha Dé Danann. She was the wife of Bres of the Fomorians, with whom she had a son, Ruadán....

     - Irish Goddess served by women who tend an eternal flame
  • The Flying Head
    The Flying Head
    The Flying Head, or Ko nea rau neh neh, is a spiritual being within the traditional belief systems of the Iroquois people."The Great God hath sent us signs in the sky we have heard uncommon noise in the heavens and have seen HEADS fall down upon the earth" Speech of Tahayadoris a Mohawk sachem at...

     - Iroquois spiritual being
  • Inipi
    Inipi
    The I-ni-pi ceremony, a type of sweat lodge, is a Lakota purification ceremony, and one of the Seven Sacred Rites of the Lakota people. It is an ancient and sacred ceremony of the Lakota people and has been passed down through the generations of Lakota....

     - Lakota purification lodge
  • Sauna
    Sauna
    A sauna is a small room or house designed as a place to experience dry or wet heat sessions, or an establishment with one or more of these and auxiliary facilities....

     - Scandinavian sweat house
  • Sweat lodge
    Sweat lodge
    The sweat lodge is a ceremonial sauna and is an important event in some North American First Nations or Native American cultures...

     - Ceremonial structures involving purification by fire and steam
  • Vestal Virgin
    Vestal Virgin
    In ancient Roman religion, the Vestals or Vestal Virgins , were priestesses of Vesta, goddess of the hearth. The College of the Vestals and its well-being was regarded as fundamental to the continuance and security of Rome, as embodied by their cultivation of the sacred fire that could not be...

    - Roman flametenders

External links

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