Every country has its own food and beverage rituals, which the citizens follow as a tradition and some follow it out of respect.
While millennials often call it illogical, food and beverage experts feel that every ritual has some logic and story behind it.
Today, we are going to talk about a drinking ritual which is followed across the world and is called ‘Libation’. Read below to know more about it.
What is Libation?
As per the dictionary, it is an act of pouring a liquid as a sacrifice (as to a deity). In this act, people offer a liquid (such as wine) to the deity and pray for the goodness in and around the family and surroundings.
Logic across the world
In Egypt, Greece, and Rome, the same ritual is followed and is done in the memory of souls who are no longer with them. In Cuba and Brazil, people perform the ritual and say Para Los Santos, which means for saints. And in Philippines, they say Para Sa Yawa, which means the drink is dedicated to the devil. In India it is believed as an act of offering the drink to Bhairavnath. For the unversed, Bhairav or Bhairavnath was a disciple of Gorakhnath, whose guru was the Matsyendranath. Sprinkling alcohol is considered as a prayer that he will take care of the conscience of the person, and protect him/her from the bad.
Final words
The ritual is the same and so are the intentions, and that’s the beauty of the food and beverage world around the world. If you know any more reasons behind sprinkling alcohol before drinking, share with us in the comments section.
