Votive offerings

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I can't remember where it is, but there's one well that was known for cures to leg injuries. There was a stack of walking sticks and crutches beside it once, but they were all cleared away. This pile had been there for hundreds of years and probably went back much further.
In many churches in Cyprus you'll see ears, eyes, noses and other body parts made of wax hanging up in a corner - presumably in the hope that real parts would be cured. I've see pilgrims at Japanese temples pass their hands through incense smoke and then rub their hands on a sick part of their body. Wells, waterfalls, springs and rivers in Japan are still regularly visited by people seeking cures for one thing or another.

Seems like there's a deep-seated and common human connection in the seeking out of places with (allegedly) healing properties - sources of water perhaps being the most important.

Well, not always water - thanks Rhiannon :-)


A farmer of the neighbourhood, then with me, assured me gravely that he had known many persons who had crept through this hole for pains in their back and limbs, but with what success he could not then recollect.
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/78418/folklore/menantol.html

Littlestone wrote:
Seems like there's a deep-seated and common human connection in the seeking out of places with (allegedly) healing properties - sources of water perhaps being the most important.
And with the mineral properties of some spring/well waters they may be occasionally correct.