Votive for Dummies

Hey there! So you're wondering about the word "votive," right? Well, let's start off by breaking it down into smaller parts to make it easier to understand. The word "votive" is actually an adjective, which means it describes something or someone. It's often used to talk about a special kind of object or offering that people give as a way of showing their devotion or gratitude to a god or a higher power.

Imagine you have a friend named Sarah who loves basketball. She's really devoted to the sport and spends hours practicing every day. Now, let's say Sarah is playing in a really important game and she makes a promise to herself that if she scores a lot of points or if her team wins, she'll make a special offering to the basketball gods by bringing them a basketball-shaped candle to show her gratitude. That basketball-shaped candle would be an example of a "votive" object, because Sarah is using it as a way to express her devotion and gratitude to the basketball gods.

But "votive" can have another meaning too. It can also refer to a type of religious offering or prayer that is made with the hope of getting something in return from a higher power. So, for example, let's say you really want to do well on a test and you make a little deal with the universe. You promise that if you pass the test, you'll light a special candle and say a prayer of thanks to show your appreciation. That special candle and prayer would also be considered "votive" because you're offering them up in the hopes of getting a positive outcome.

I hope that helps you understand what "votive" means! Remember, it's all about objects or prayers that people give as a way of expressing their devotion or asking for help from a higher power. Keep up the great work and keep asking questions!