ADORATION, an act of worship, strictly due to the Supreme Being only ; but performed to other objects also, whether idols or men. The forms, times, objects, and places of adoration, are different in different coun tries, according to the customs and religions which pre vail in them. The origin of this practice is to be foetal in the universal and just opinion, that the sem of the heart ought to be expressed by articulate language, and external actions The term, being derived from the Latin words ad and orare, signifies, to apply the hand to the mouth, i. c. to kiss the hand. This practice, which seems to he of Persian origin, (//erodw. Clio. cap. 131.) being one of the great marks of respe( t and submission in eastern countries, was easily and naturally transfer red to idolatrous worship.
Dc La Valle gives the following account of this mode of adoration in India. " At Surat is seen a great and fair tree, held in great veneration. On high, there hangs a bell, which those that conic to make their fool ish devotions, first ol all ring out, as if thereby to call the idol to hear them ; then they fall to their adoration, which is commonly to extend both hands downwards, as much as possible, being joined together in a praying pos ture ; which lifting up again, by little and little, they bring to their mouths as if to kiss them ; and, lastly, ex tend them so joined together, as high as they can over their heads, which gesticulation is used only to idols and sacred things. This ceremony being performed, some make their prayers standing ; others prostrate themselves, with their whole bodies grovelling on the earth, and then rise again ; others only touch the ground with the head and forehead, and perform other like acts of humility." Travel., in India, p. 20.
In the East, it is still considered as a mark of the highest respect, to take off the shoes, and approach barefooted to pay adorations. (See Eraid. iii. 5. and Josh. v. 15.) The Egyptians were particularly attentive to this practice ; and the Mahometans observe it, when ever they enter their mosques. When Mr Wilkins wish ed to enter the inner ha of the college of Seeks at Patna, he was told that it was a place of worship, open to him and all men ; but that it was necessary for him to take off his shoes, (4siat. Res. vol. i. p. 239) ; and Ives, in his
Travels, (p. 75.) says, that " at the doors of an Indian Pagoda, are seen as many slippers and sandals, as there are hats hanging up in our elm rches." The Romans, when practising adoration, having their head covered, applied their hand to their lips, with the fore finger resting on the thumb, which was erect ; and thus bowing the head, turned themselves from left to right. This kiss was called osculum labratuni ; for or dinarily they were afraid to touch the images of their gods with their profane lips. But Saturn and Hercules were adored with the head uncovered ; whence the wor ship of the last was called institutum peregrinum, and Titus Grscanins, as being different from the usual method of the Romans.
Sometimes also standing was the attitude of adoration: sometimes the body was inclined forward, and the eyes fixed on the earth ; sometimes kneeling, which was a very common practice ; and sometimes complete prostra tion on the ground. Sitting, with the under parts of the thighs resting on the heels, seems to have been custom ary among the Egyptians ; almost all the figures of wor shippers discovered in their sacred buildings, being represented in this posture. The Persians, and other eastern nations, turn their faces towards the sun, or to the east.
Adoration was also performed, by placing crowns, gar lands, &e. on the statues and images of the gods ; sitting down by them, or praying to them in whispers, to he fa vourable, aveas mini.
These rites were rractiscd at sacrifices, °Peerin• up vows, consecrating temples, dedica.ung spoils, passing by sacred places, and at the sigh, of the statues aim ima ges ol the gods. Those, woo implored the aid of the gods, lay down in the temples, as it to receive responses from them in their sleep. in ,Ln. vii. 88. ('lc. Droin. i. 43.) Aod the sick, rn parmular,dia so, in the temple Of ./Esculapius, (Pima. (,re,. 1. 1, 61.) fools were also frequently placed at the gates of cities, to re ceive the homage ol those who pass, u.