Sacred space and place attachment
Journal of Environmental Psychology
Short Title:
Journal of Environmental Psychology
Format:
Journal Article
Publication Date:
1993/09/01/
Pages:
231 - 242
Sources ID:
35151
Collection:
Contemplation and Ecology
Visibility:
Public (group default)
Abstract:
(Show)
The aim of this paper is to provide an understanding of the interconnectedness between religion, identity and attachment to sacred spaces. This is done in three parts. First, we provide a general understanding of attachment to sacred spaces, settings and objects and create a typology of attachment to different sacred spaces, from macro to micro, from natural to human-made, based on a brief comparison of several religions. Second, focusing on one part of this typology (attachment to homes), we illustrate the creation, content and meaning of sacred space through a detailed analysis of the Hindu house. Third, we examine the emergence of place attachment and identity, the ways religion through ritual connects people to places, and how places as settings for sacred behavior and socialization connects people to religion. Finally, by including personal history and auto-ethnography we attempt to ‘personalize’ environmental psychology.