Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture: Archaic Pilgrimage

              There are four different types of pilgrimages; (1) prototypical, (2) archaic, (3) medieval, (4) modern. Each type influences the other, but they have separate beliefs and symbols that stem from the origin of the pilgrimage. One example that comes from the archaic type is St. Patrick’s Purgatory in Lough Derg and Croagh Patrick. An archaic pilgrimage is defined as a pilgrimage that bears evident traces of syncretism (combining) with older religious beliefs and symbols (Turner, 18- 21). A pilgrimage that combines the difference aspects of multiple religions is important because it shows how history has influenced and changed the overall appearance of the sacred place. The Lough Derg is a combination of both Protestant and Catholic, yet also contains aspect of Irish culture, because of its location. The conserving of history in its structure symbolizes the timelessness of Lough Derg, therefore keeping it alive as a sacred place/ pilgrimage (Turner, 107,112-113). 

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