ad quadratum: literally “by the square,” one of the two standard systems of sacred geometry used in Gothic architecture.
ad triangulum: literally “by the triangle,” one of the two standard systems of sacred geometry used in Gothic architecture.
adyton: literally “not to be entered,” the spaces in ancient Greek temples that were not open to the general public.
Albigensians: see Cathars.
Cathars: members of a medieval Gnostic heresy.
churching: in medieval Christianity, a ceremony to bless a woman who had recently given birth, performed before she returned to regular attendance at services.
circumambulation: the rite of circling a sacred space, usually in a clockwise direction.
cowan: among Masons, a person who is not a Mason; originally an unskilled laborer who did not have the skills necessary to work with freestone.
diamagnetism: a physical property of certain materials that cause them to be slightly repelled by a magnetic field.
freestone: building stone suitable for fine carving.
garbhagrha: in a Hindu temple, the innermost holy shrine.
Gnosticism: a religious movement originating in ancient Roman times, which considered personal experience of spiritual realities more important than faith in doctrines.
goma: the fire-offering ritual of Japanese esoteric Buddhism.
hieron: in ancient Greece, an open-air holy place.
hinoki: the Japanese cypress tree, the usual source for lumber for Shinto shrines.
hypostyle hall: in ancient Egyptian temples, a large room with pillars supporting the roof.
jinja: the usual Japanese word for a Shinto sacred building, normally translated “shrine.”
kami: the divine powers worshipped in Shinto.
keihitsu: in Shinto, a vowel tone used to bring the kami into manifestation.
kotodama: “word-spirit,” the traditional Japanese science of vocal symbolism.
mandapa: in a Hindu temple, a pillared hall for worship.
mandira: the classic Hindu temple.
miki: in Shinto, rice wine (sake) consumed by worshippers at the conclusion of a ceremony.
mikveh: in Orthodox Judaism, a ritual bath used by women for purification.
misogi shuho: in Shinto, ceremonial purification in running water or the sea.
Naassenes: members of an ancient Gnostic heresy, which may have survived to influence the legends of the Holy Grail.
naorai: in Shinto, a reception and meal held after a ritual, at which food offered to the kami is eaten by priests and honored parishioners.
naos: the classic Greek colonnaded temple.
norito: in Shinto, a traditional prayer in archaic Japanese.
paramagnetism: a physical property of certain substances that causes them to be slightly attracted by a magnetic field.
peristyle court: in ancient Egyptian temples, an open courtyard surrounded by a portico supported by columns.
prasad: food offerings to Hindu deities, which are later reverently eaten by worshippers.
rekhyet: the common people of ancient Egypt.
seichu: in Shinto, the straight line extending from within the temple down the main entrance route; visitors are expected not to walk or stand upon it.
shide: in Shinto, zigzag strips of white paper hung from a rope to mark off sacred space.
shikhara: in a Hindu temple, the stone tower above the innermost holy shrine.
Shilpa Shastras: traditional manuals for the design and construction of Hindu temples.
Shingon: one of the two great denominations of Japanese esoteric Buddhism.
s˘onang: in Korea, the guardian deity of a village.
s˘onangdang: the shrine of a s˘onang, usually either a heap of stones, a tree with a rope tied around it, or a combination of the two.
spolia: in early Christian churches, architectural features such as columns salvaged from Pagan temples and used to beautify the buildings of the new faith.
temenos: in ancient Greece, an open-air holy place, or the sacred space surrounding a temple.
Tendai: one of the two great denominations of Japanese esoteric Buddhism.
torii: a ceremonial gateway outside a Shinto shrine.
yazata: in Zoroastrianism, a minor deity subordinate to the supreme god Ahura Mazda.