Concept in Definition ABC

The altar is an element closely linked to the religion and religious rites since it is a structure that can assume various forms and presentations, according to needs and rituals, and that is consecrated to the materialization of some cult, being carried out on it, either worship of a god or Offerings.

Undoubtedly, the altar is one of the oldest elements, linked to cults and religion. Since ancient times it has been used and generally consists of a very high place that allowed to deposit the offerings for the god in question or offer him various types of sacrifices, including human or affecting living beings.

In the Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome the aforementioned human sacrifices were very common practices carried out on altars.

Meanwhile, there were public altars, which were erected in squares, temples and military camps, and also altars for private use, which were normally found in houses and that the family he used them to express his devotion to someone.

Later, with the development and diffusion of Christianity, the altar would reach a determined, protagonist and immovable location within the temple or of the Church, more precisely in the center and towards the end of the religious enclosure, and on it it is common to have various sacred elements that the priest will use at the request of the mass, such as: the cross, the bible, a candle, among others.
Because basically in this religion the altar is used in the mass or celebration religious. The priest who officiates it stands behind him and facing the faithful.

Likewise, the materials of building of the altar would be diversified using elements such as marble, wood and they would even be carefully and delicately decorated with religious motifs.

For its part, it is called main altar to that one more important inside a temple.

It is also possible that we find the word contained in various popular phrases such as: raise to altars (expresses the action of canonizing and beatifying), bring to the altar (when someone will contract marriage with another it is said that he will take him to the altar) and put on an altar (When a person is greatly admired, it is said that he is placed on an altar).