UNCTION (Int. unctio, an anointing, from singe, I anoint), the practice of anointing the body, or certain portions of the body, with oil, especially with the oil of olives. It was resorted to by the ancients from motives of health (see OILS), of athletic develop ment, or of but the practice is noticeable here chiefly in its relations to religion. Anointing with oil seems to have been supposed to carry with it the same effects in spiritual things which it produces in the natural world. It was a rite in frequent use among the Egyptians. as well as the Greeks and Romans; and the Scriptural narrative of the ante-Mosaic religion contains distinct evidence of its use (Gen. xxviii. 18. xxxi. 13). In the Mosaic ceremonial, its use is still mote frequent. Priestsand kings were anointed on being set apart for their several offices; as were also sacred vessels. The oil employed in these religious unctions was prepared of the most precious perfumes and balsams, and Ezekiel rebukes the Jews (xxiii. 41) for making a similar unguent for their personal
uses. The special significance of the rite of unction may be inferred from the circum stance that the popular name of the expected Messiah was the Christos. i.e., the Anointed. In Christian use, anointing from a very early time possessed the same sacred signifi cance. See EXTREME UNCTION. Besides the anointing of the sick, however, there are many other sacred unctions traceable in ancient Christian practice; namely, in baptism, in confirmation, in the ordination of priests and other clergy, in the consecration of churches and altars, the benediction of sacred vessels and utensils, etc. hints also been employed in the coronation of kings; and in some countries, curious traditions and legends arc preserved with the unction of the.king, or arising out of it. See RilEI3IS.