Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Ablution

ABLUTION, in its literal signification, implies washing, and is usually confined to purification by the aid of water; but may also be applied to cleansing, or washing with any other pure liquid. It is a term well known in the religious world. As a practice, its antiquity is co-eval with the first institution of religious ceremonies.

Ablutions were, on various occasions, enjoined by the Jewish Legislator. The Mahometans frequently have recourse to them in the celebration of those rites prescribed in the Alcoran; and they form no inconsiderable part in the established religion of almost every nation.

Egyptians, Grecians, Romans, Syrians, Cophts, Jews, Christians, &c. all admit them, as forming a part of their ceremonials; by total or partial immersion of the body, by sprinklings in baptism, and so forth.

But, though used in some measure symbolically, or as emblems of that inward purity requisite to the discharge of duty, among the faithful disciples of religious institutions, yet the importance of ablutions is very considerable, when viewed in a physical sense, as being instrumental to preserve health and beauty, and not only to prevent, but in many cases to remove, disease. See this subject under the articles Bathing and Washing.