Smudging: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in spiritual or cultural ceremonies to remove negative energy by burning sacred herbs, often sage.

• They performed smudging with sage to cleanse the house of negative spirits.
• During the ritual, smudging was done to bring peace and clarity.

Used in general contexts to describe the act of cleaning or purifying, both physically and spiritually.

• She felt that a spiritual cleansing was needed to start fresh.
• The river was in desperate need of cleansing after the pollution.

Often used in contexts involving making something pure, clean, or free from toxins or impurities, both physically and spiritually.

• The purification of water is essential for safe drinking.
• They involved purification rituals to prepare for the ceremony.

Refers to a set sequence of actions or ceremonies performed for a specific purpose, often with spiritual or religious significance.

• The morning yoga session became a daily ritual for her.
• The harvest festival included various traditional rituals.