Holy well

Common card · No. 266534

A holy well or sacred spring is a well, spring or small pool of water revered in Christianity as well as in pagan religions. The water of holy wells is often thought to have healing qualities, through the numinous presence of its guardian spirit or of a Christian saint. Local legends often become associated with the waters; for example in Christian legends, the action of a saint often originates the flow of the water, which may be regarded as holy water. Holy wells are often also places of ritual and pilgrimage, where people pray and leave votive offerings. In Celtic regions, strips of cloth are often tied to trees at holy wells, known as clootie wells.

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