We explain what an oracle is, in which cultures it existed and what its function was. Also, its general characteristics.
What is an oracle?
an oracle is the answer given by a God or one deity to a query made by his faithful. This answer is often enigmatic and therefore requires interpretation. The institution or person through which a deity or spirit communicates its advice or prophecies, or the place (temple or church) where these types of consultations are made, is also called an oracle.
In ancient times, oracles were sacred places where the gods were consulted about the future or important decisions. The most famous oracles were those of Ancient Greece, such as the oracle of Delphi, where the priestess Pythia acted as an intermediary to transmit the answers of the god Apollo.
In modern practice, the term “oracle” also can refer metaphorically to any considered source of wisdom or prophecy including sacred texts, spiritual leaders or even certain prediction technologies.
Etymology of “oracle”
The word “oracle” comes from Latin oraculumformed by the root of I will pray (“speak”) and the suffix –culumwhich can express both an instrument or means, and a diminutive. Therefore, the oracle could be interpreted as an instrument for speaking with the gods or as a brief oral response on their part.
See more: Prophecy
Frequently asked questions
What is an oracle?
An oracle is a means by which deities are believed to communicate messages or prophecies to humans.
How do you consult an oracle?
It is consulted through specific rituals, direct questions, and often through an intermediary, such as a priest or priestess.
What were the most famous oracles?
Among the most famous oracles are the oracles of Delphi and Dodoma of Ancient Greece, the oracle of Amun of Ancient Egypt, those of the Shang and Zhou dynasties in Ancient China, the runic oracles of the Vikings, the oracle of Nechung of the Tibetan culture and the Ifá oracle of the Yoruba culture.
What kind of answers does an oracle give?
The answers given by the deities through oracles are usually enigmatic or ambiguous, and always require interpretation.
Do oracles still exist today?
Yes, although less frequently, some religions still maintain the practice of oracles. For example, the Ifá oracle (Yoruba culture) and the Nechung oracle (Tibetan culture). In addition, there are different practices related to the interpretation of divine messages, such as Amazonian shamanism, Chinese astrology and Tarot reading.
Characteristics of oracles
Throughout history, oracles existed in various societies. Although each oracle had its own forms, rituals and particular characteristics, a series of elements common to all can be identified:
- Divine intermediary. Oracles were performed by a person (such as a priest or priestess) or in a place (such as a temple) considered capable of receiving messages from a deity.
- Consultations. People turned to oracles to get answers to specific problems, such as political decisions, personal issues, or matters of war.
- Ambiguity and interpretation. The oracles' answers were often enigmatic or ambiguous, requiring interpretation. This allowed the existence of multiple possible interpretations of the same message.
- Rituals. Consultations with oracles often involved specific rituals, such as sacrifices, purifications or ceremonies.
The oracles of Antiquity
In ancient times (3000 BC-476 AD), oracles existed in many societies. It was common for kings and leaders to consult their war strategies, their economic decisions, and even public health matters (such as plagues) to the appropriate oracles, with the aim of receiving divine guidance to face the problems of their society.
In Ancient Greece, there were numerous important oracles. They were located in temples, often far from the city, where priests and priestesses lived dedicated to honoring a particular divinity and interpreting its messages.
The most famous oracle of Ancient Greece was the Oracle of Delphi. This temple was on Mount Parnassus, where the pythonesses (oracular priestesses) of the god Apollo revealed the divine command through the visions they had in a trance state.
Similar examples can be found in other ancient cultures, such as Egyptian, Chinese and Indian. The oracle of Amun at Siwa was one of the most important in Ancient Egypt. Their visitors came to receive advice on all kinds of matters and had to perform purification ceremonies to obtain their answers.
In ancient China, Divination practices of the Shang dynasty were done through bones and turtle shells. The diviner priests made inscriptions on these elements and heated them until cracks formed. Then, they interpreted the drawings formed by the cracks as responses from the ancestors or deities consulted.
Other oracular forms
In addition to consultation in temples, There is also a tradition of oracular consultation through mystical books. He I Ching (“Book of Mutations”), written in China around 1200 BC. C., is one of the most famous examples of this type of texts. The book has a system of 64 hexagrams for performing divinations and offering advice on specific situations.
Another famous oracular practice was that of Viking runes. It was a form of divination used by the ancient Scandinavians, especially between the 8th and 11th centuries AD. C. Symbols carved in wood, stone or metal, known as runes, were used. The divination process involved throwing the runes and watching how they fell and what symbols remained visible. The “volvas” (priests) interpreted the patterns and combinations of the runes to offer answers to questions or advice about the future.
References
- Ackermann, M. (2008). Confucian classics; Delphic oracle; Shang dynasty. Encyclopedia of World History, vol. I: The Ancient World. Prehistoric Eras to 600 CE Facts on File.
- Ackermann, M. (2008). Vikings: Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Encyclopedia of World History, vol. II: The Expanding World. 600 CE to 1450. Facts on File.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2024). Oracle. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/
