Ex Voto – Votive Giving Across Cultures

This book explores the significance of votive offerings across cultures, examining how objects gain meaning through dedication to deities in various historical contexts.

Derived from the Latin phrase ex voto suscepto, meaning 'in pursuance of a vow,' an ex voto represents the hopes, dreams, and anxieties of individuals who deposit these offerings. These votive objects can take on various forms, sizes, and functions, transforming into tokens of devotion or gratitude once dedicated to a deity. The essence of an ex voto lies in its ability to convey deep personal significance, even if it was not originally intended for that purpose.

Ex Voto – Votive Giving Across Cultures is one of the first comprehensive collections that delves deeply into this fascinating subject. The contributors explore the idea that a shared conceptual framework connects votive objects across different cultures and historical periods. By analyzing these artifacts, the book reveals how they become imbued with meaning through their consecration, representing a unique stage in the life of a material object.

This comparative study spans a wide array of locations and timeframes, including the classical Mediterranean, medieval Europe, the Catholic Reformation, and extends to regions such as Mexico, Japan's Shinto and Buddhist traditions, and Muslim Iran. The extensive and diverse content of Ex Voto makes it appealing to scholars and enthusiasts in various fields, including history, religion, and anthropology.