Alibation is aritual pouring of a liquid as anoffering to adeity or spirit, or inmemory of the dead. It was common in manyreligions ofantiquity and continues to be offered in cultures today.

Various substances have been used for libations, most commonly wine or other alcoholic drinks, olive oil, honey, and inIndia,ghee. The vessels used in the ritual, including thepatera, often had a significant form which differentiated them fromsecular vessels. The libation could be poured onto something of religious significance, such as analtar, or into the earth. On the other hand, one or more libations began most meals and occasions when wine was drunk in Greco-Roman and other ancient societies, mostly using normal cups or jugs.

The English word "libation" derives from theLatinlibatio, an act of pouring, from the verblibare, "to taste, sip; pour out, make a libation" (Indo-European root*leib-, "pour, make a libation").^[1]

TheSumerian afterlife was a dark, dreary cavern located deep below the ground.^[2] This bleak domain was known asKur,^[3] where the souls were believed to eat nothing but drydust^[4] and family members of the deceased would ritually pour libations into the grave through a clay pipe, thereby allowing the dead to drink.^[4]

Libation was part ofancient Egyptian society where it was a drink offering to honor and please the various divinities, sacred ancestors, humans present and humans who are alive but not physically present, as well as the environment.^[5] It is suggested that libation originated somewhere in the upper Nile Valley and spread out to other regions of Africa and the world.^[6][7] According toAyi Kwei Armah, "[t]his legend explains the rise of a propitiatory custom found everywhere on the African continent: libation, the pouring of alcohol or other drinks as offerings to ancestors and divinities."^[8]

Milk libations forOsiris may have originated atPhilae and spread southwards intoMeroe.^[9] It is also possible the reverse occurred; as milk libation was already known to Nubians, they may have introduced it to Philae.^[10]

Libation (Ancient Greek:σπονδή,spondȇ,[spondɛ̌ː]) was a central and vital aspect ofancient Greek religion, and one of the simplest and most common forms of religious practice.^[11] It is one of the basic religious acts that define piety in ancient Greece, dating back to theBronze Age and evenprehistoric Greece.^[12] Libations were a part of daily life, and the pious might perform them every day in the morning and evening, as well as to begin meals.^[13][14] A libation most often consisted of mixed wine and water, but could also be unmixed wine, honey, oil, water, or milk.^[15]

The typical form of libation,spondȇ, is the ritualized pouring of wine from a jug or bowl held in the hand. The most common ritual was to pour the liquid from anoinochoē (wine jug) into aphiale, a shallow bowl designed for the purpose. After wine was poured from thephiale, the remainder of theoinochoē's contents was drunk by the celebrant.^[16] A libation is poured any time wine is to be drunk, a practice that is recorded as early as theHomeric epics. The etiquette of thesymposium required that when the first bowl(krater) of wine was served, a libation was made toZeus and theOlympian gods.Heroes received a libation from the secondkrater served, andZeús Téleios (Ζεύς Tέλειος,lit. "Zeus who Finishes") from the third, which was supposed to be the last. An alternative was to offer a libation from the first bowl to theAgathos Daimon and from the third bowl toHermes. An individual at the symposium could also make an invocation of and libation to a god of his choice.

Libation generally accompanied prayer.^[17] The Greeks stood when they prayed, either with their arms uplifted, or in the act of libation with the right arm extended to hold thephiale.^[18][19]

In conductinganimal sacrifice, wine is poured onto the offering as part of its ritual slaughter and preparation, and then afterwards onto the ash and flames.^[20] This scene is commonly depicted inGreek art, which also often shows sacrificers or the gods themselves holding thephiale.^[21]

The Greek verbspéndō (σπένδω), "pour a libation", also "conclude a pact", derives from theIndo-European root*spend-, "make an offering, perform a rite, engage oneself by a ritual act". The noun isspondȇ (pluralspondaí), "libation." In themiddle voice, the verb means "enter into an agreement", in the sense that the gods are called to guarantee an action.^[1] Blood sacrifice was performed to begin a war;spondaí marked the conclusion of hostilities, and is often thus used in the sense of "armistice, treaty." The formula "We thepolis have made libation" was a declaration of peace or the "Truce of God", which was observed also when the various city-states came together for thePanhellenic Games, theOlympic Games, or the festivals of theEleusinian Mysteries: this form of libation is "bloodless, gentle, irrevocable, and final".^[21]

Libations poured onto the earth are meant for the dead and for thechthonic gods. In the Book of the Dead in theOdyssey,Odysseus digs an offering pit around which he pours in order honey, wine, and water. For the form of libation calledchoē (Ancient Greek:χεῦμα,cheuma, "that which is poured"; from IE*gheu-),^[1] a larger vessel is tipped over and emptied onto the ground for the chthonic gods, who may also receivespondai.^[22] Heroes, who were divinized mortals, might receive blood libations if they had participated in the bloodshed of war, as for instanceBrasidas theSpartan.^[23] In rituals of caring for the dead at their tombs, libations would include milk and honey.^[24]

The Libation Bearers is the English title of the centertragedy from theOrestes Trilogy ofAeschylus, in reference to the offeringsElectra brings to the tomb of her dead fatherAgamemnon.^[21]Sophocles gives one of the most detailed descriptions of libation inGreek literature inOedipus at Colonus, performed as atonement in thegrove of theEumenides:

First, water is fetched from a freshly flowing spring; cauldrons which stand in the sanctuary are garlanded with wool and filled with water and honey; turning towards the east, the sacrificer tips the vessels towards the west; the olive branches which he has been holding in his hand he now strews on the ground at the place where the earth has drunk in the libation; and with a silent prayer he departs, not looking back.^[25]

Hero of Alexandria described a mechanism for automating the process by using altar fires to force oil from the cups of two statues.^{[citation needed]}

Inancient Roman religion, the libation was a religious act in the form of a liquid offering, most often unmixed wine and perfumed oil.^[26] TheRoman godLiber Pater ("FatherLiber"), later identified with the GreekDionysus orBacchus, was the divinity oflibamina, "libations," andliba, sacrificial cakes drizzled with honey.^[27][1][28]

In Roman art, the libation is shown performed at amensa (sacrificial meal table), ortripod. It was the simplest form ofsacrifice, and could be a sufficient offering by itself.^[29] The introductory rite(praefatio) to an animal sacrifice included an incense and wine libation onto a burning altar.^[29][30] Bothemperors and divinities are frequently depicted, especially on coins, pouring libations.^[31] Scenes of libation commonly signify the quality ofpietas, religious duty or reverence.^[32]

The libation was part ofRoman funeral rites, and may have been the only sacrificial offering at humble funerals.^[33] Libations were poured in rituals of caring for the dead (seeParentalia andCaristia), and some tombs were equipped with tubes through which the offerings could be directed to the underground dead.^[34]

Milk was unusual as a libation at Rome, but was regularly offered to a few deities, particularly those of an archaic nature^[35] or those for whom it was a natural complement, such asRumina, agoddess of birth and childrearing who promoted the flow of breast milk, and Cunina, atutelary of the cradle.^[36] It was offered also to Mercurius Sobrius (the "sober"Mercury), whose cult is well attested inRoman Africa and may have been imported to the city of Rome by an African community.^[37]

Libations were part of ancientJudaism and are mentioned in theBible:^[38]

And Jacob set up a Pillar in the place where he had spoken with him, a Pillar of Stone; and he poured out a drink offering on it, and poured oil on it.

— Genesis 35:14

InIsaiah 53:12,Isaiah uses libation as ametaphor when describing the end of theSuffering Servant figure who "poured out his life unto death".

Libations of wine were offered atthe Jerusalem temple, and a double libation of wine and water was offered duringSukkot, possibly as a rain making ritual.^[39]

Idolatrous libations were forbidden, along with the Torah's prohibitions on idolatrous sacrifice and worship generally.

Libation is present and inChristianity appears in theNew Testament and is the practice ofJesus and other biblical figures.^[40]

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

— Luke 22:20

This phrasing in Luke refers to the act of libation as the new covenant, to the blood of Jesus to be poured out in death.

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

— Philippians 2:17

Libations were normally conducted in a spirit of peace, the Greek term for libation, σπονδή (spondȇ), became synonymous with "peace treaty".^[41]

Libation was part ofancient Egyptian society where it was a drink offering to honor and please the various divinities, sacred ancestors, humans present and humans who are alive but not physically present, as well as the environment.^[5] It is suggested that libation originated somewhere in the upper Nile Valley and spread out to other regions of Africa and the world.^[6][7] According toAyi Kwei Armah, "[t]his legend explains the rise of a propitiatory custom found everywhere on the African continent: libation, the pouring of alcohol or other drinks as offerings to ancestors and divinities."^[8]

InAfrican cultures andAfrican traditional religions the ritual of pouring libation is an essential ceremonial tradition and a way of giving homage to the ancestors. Ancestors are not only respected in such cultures, but also invited to participate in all public functions (as are also the gods and God). A prayer is offered in the form of libations, calling the ancestors to attend. The ritual is generally performed by an elder. Although water may be used, the drink is typically some traditional wine (e.g.palm wine), and the libation ritual is accompanied by an invitation (and invocation) to the ancestors, gods and God. In the Volta region of Ghana, water with a mixture of corn flour is also used to pour libation.^{[citation needed]}

Libation is also commonly recognized as the break within the famous performance ofAgbekor, a ritual dance performed in West African cultures. It is also poured during traditional marriage ceremony, when a child is born and funeral ceremony. Traditional Festivals likeAsafotu andHomowo of theGa-Adangbe people of Ghana and Togo. Also during installment of kings, queens, and chiefs, libation is poured.^{[citation needed]}

As recently as the 1920s, it was a custom inLower Nubia for women to go to the graves of relatives every Friday and pour a libation of water into a red bowl at the head of the grave.^[42] For widows, it was also once a custom for them to pour a libation of milk on their husband's grave the second day after his death.^[10]

Similarly, it has beenCoptic tradition for women to visit graves and make water libations, both in intervals during the first 40 days after a death, and during a few annual occasions, such asNayrouz.^[43]

In theQuechua andAymara cultures of the South AmericanAndes, it is common to pour a small amount of one's beverage on the ground before drinking as an offering to thePachamama, or Mother Earth. This especially holds true when drinkingChicha, an alcoholic beverage unique to this part of the world. The libation ritual is commonly calledchalla and is performed quite often, usually before meals and during celebrations. The sixteenth century writerBernardino de Sahagún records the Aztec ceremony associated with drinkingoctli:

Libation was done in this manner: whenoctli was drunk, when they tasted the newoctli, when someone had just madeoctli...he summoned people. He set it out in a vessel before the hearth, along with small cups for drinking. Before having anyone drink, he took upoctli with a cup and then poured it before the hearth; he poured theoctli in the four directions. And when he had poured theoctli then everyone drank it.^[44]

InHinduism libation rituals most often involve pouring the offered liquid over amurti or sacred image. Many temple images receive libations from the priests daily. Libations are part ofTarpan and also performed duringPitru Paksha (Fortnight of the ancestors) following theBhadrapada month of theHindu calendar, (September–October).^[45]In India and Nepal, Lord Shiva (also Vishnu and other deities) is offeredabhisheka with water by devotees at many temples when they go visit the temple, and on special occasions elaborately with water, milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and sugar.

InBurmese Buddhism, the water libation ceremony, calledyay zet cha (ရေစက်ချ), which involves the ceremonial pouring of water from a vessel of water into a vase, drop by drop, concludes most Buddhist ceremonies, including donation celebrations,shinbyu, and feasts. This ceremonial libation is done to share the accruedmerit with all other living beings in all 31 planes of existence.^[46] The ceremony has three primary prayers: the confession of faith, the pouring of water, and the sharing of merits.^[47] While the water is poured, a confession of faith, called thehsu taung imaya dhammanu (ဆုတောင်း ဣမာယ ဓမ္မာနု), is recited and led by the monks.^[48]

Then, the merit is distributed by the donors (calledahmya weiအမျှဝေ) by thrice saying the following:^[47]

(To all those who can hear), we share our merits with all beings
(Kya kya thahmya), ahmya ahmya ahmya yu daw mu gya ba gon law
((ကြားကြားသမျှ) အမျှ အမျှ အမျှ ယူတော်မူကြပါ ကုန်လော)

Afterward, in unison, the participants repeat thrice a declaration of affirmation:thadu (သာဓု,sadhu), Pali for "well done", akin to the Christian use ofamen. Afterward, the libated water is poured on soil outside, to return the water toVasudhara. The earth goddessVasudhara is invoked to witness these meritorious deeds.^[48]

Prior to colonial rule, the water libation ceremony was also performed during the crowning of Burmese kings, as part of procedures written in theRaza Thewaka Dipani Kyan, an 1849 text that outlines proper conduct of Burmese kings.^[49][50]

Although the offering of water to Vasudhara may have pre-Buddhist roots, this ceremony is believed to have been started by KingBimbisara, who poured the libation of water, to share his merit with his ancestors who had becomepretas.^[51][52][53]

This ceremony is also practiced at the end of Thai and Laotian Buddhist rituals to transfer merit, where it is calledkruat nam (กรวดน้ำ) andyaat nam respectively.^[54]

•  
  Nepalese ewer for water oblations, 19th century
•  
  Bronze Chinese libation cup(jue), lateShang dynasty, ca. 1210 BCE
•  
  Jade libation cup,Qing dynasty, 1661–1722 CE
•  
  Sake offerings asomiki atItsukushima Shrine, Japan, 2017

The most traditionalChinese ritual bronze vessel for libations, thejue, has a large pouring lip, and may be regarded as a type of jug rather than a cup. In modern Chinese customs, rice wine or tea is poured in front of an altar or tombstone horizontally from right to left with both hands as an offering to gods and in honour of the deceased. The offering is usually placed on the altar for a while before being offered in libation. In more elaborate ceremonies honouring deities, the libation may be done over the burning paper offerings; whereas for the deceased, the wine is only poured onto the ground.

Japanese libations leave the liquid offering on the altar in a suitable vessel, while other portions are drunk by the participants. InShinto, the practice of libation and the drink offered is calledMiki (神酒), lit. "The Liquor of the Gods". At a ceremony at a Shinto shrine, it is usually done withsake, but at a household shrine, one may substitute freshwater which can be changed every morning. It is served in a white porcelain or metal cup without any decoration.

Among theAinu, libations are offered by means of theikupasuy, a carved wooden implement with a "tongue," the pointed end^[55] from whichmillet beer orsake is dripped upon the venerated object.^[56]

Shamanism among Siberian peoples exhibits the great diversity characteristic ofshamanism in general.^[57] Among several peoples near theAltai Mountains, the new drum of a shaman must go through a special ritual. This is regarded as "enlivening the drum": the tree and the deer who gave their wood and skin for the new drum narrate their whole lives and promise to the shaman that they will serve him. The ritual itself is a libation: beer is poured onto the skin and wood of the drum, and these materials "come to life" and speak with the voice of the shaman in the name of the tree and the deer. Among theTubalar, moreover,the shaman imitates the voice of the animal, and its behaviour as well.^[58]

InCuba, a widespread custom is to spill a drop or two ofrum from one's glass while saying "para los santos" (‘for theSaints’). An identical practice is found inBrazil whencachaça is drunk, with the drops being offered "para o santo" or "para o santinho". These customs are similar to the practice amongVisayans ofMindanao, thePhilippines, whererum is spilled upon opening of the bottle, accompanied by "para sa yawa" ('for the Devil').^[59]

InRussia and some parts of theCommonwealth of Independent States, there is a tradition of pouringvodka onto a grave, an act possibly connected withdziady custom. InGeorgia, wherewine plays a more culturally significant role, it is common to pour a glass of wine on graves, especially aroundEaster in commemoration of all deceased.

In the contemporaryUnited States, libations are occasionally offered in the name of a deceased person on various occasions, usually when drinking socially among friends in a private setting. There is also a tradition of pouring libations ofmalt liquor before drinking, which is particularly associated withAfrican Americanrappers. This is referred to as "tipping" to one's deceased friends,^[60] or "pouring one out". This practice has been recorded in film, such asBoyz n the Hood, and referenced in various songs, such as the 1993 "Gangsta Lean (This Is For My Homies)" byDRS ("I tip my 40 to your memory") and the 1994 "Pour Out a Little Liquor" by2Pac. As with similar practices worldwide, various symbolic sayings accompany the pouring.

InRabbinic Judaism, drops of wine are taken from one's glass at thePassover Seder by pouring them out or dipping one's finger into the glass,^[61] either 10 for each plague,^[62] or 16; ten forthe ten plagues, three for "Blood, Fire and Columns of Smoke", and three for "Detzach, Adash, B’achav".^[63] Explanations vary, but the common one is regret that the freeing of the Jewish people came at the cost of many Egyptians suffering and dying, and out of respect to "not rejoice the downfall of an enemy". However, this is a more modern interpretation originally created by Rabbi Yirmiyahu Löw's grandfather, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century, though with precedent fromSanhendrin 39b:5.^[62]

• Jingxiang – Ritual of offering incense accompanied by tea and/or fruits
• Oblation – Church offering
• Offering – Buddhist religious practicePages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• Ofrenda – Traditional home altar in Mexico
• Prasada – Religious food offered in Hinduism and Sikhism temples
• Religion and alcohol – Role of alcohol in several religions
• Sacred food as offering – Concept within anthropology
• Yajna – Ritual offering sacrifice in Hinduism

•   The dictionary definition oflibation at Wiktionary
•   Media related toLibations at Wikimedia Commons
• Exploring the Libation Ritual in Greek and Roman Myth
• Libation in Hellenismos