Glossary

Apocrypha

(Greek to hide) The books of sacred writings included in the Greek Septuagint (Greek translation of Jewish writings including the Hebrew Pentateuch) and the Latin Vulgate (Roman Catholic Latin translation prepared by Jerome, Hieronymus, circa 400 A.D.), but excluded from Jewish and Protestant Christian Old Testament scriptures.

Bagpipes

A musical instrument associated with Scotland and Ireland is made of an air-tight leather bag, a blow pipe, a melody pipe (changer) with finger holes and a reed, and tenor and/or base drones. The bag is inflated through the blow pipe, then squeezed with the arm, with the purpose to provide a steady, uninterrupted flow of air to create its unique musical sound. 

Bible

(Greek: book) The book of sacred writings of Judaism and Christianity that record the history and beliefs of the two faiths. The Hebrew Bible (Jewish Scriptures or TaNak) contains the Old Testament. The Christian Bible (The Holy Bible) consists of the Old and New Testaments, and sometimes the Apocrypha.  See Apocrypha, Pentateuch, Torah, TaNaK

Bindi

The bindi (also known as kumkum, mangalya, tilak, or sindhoor), a red dot (made of the bright red powder, vermillion) is worn on the forehead (between the eyes is known as the spot of the sixth chakra) of Hindu men and women as a symbol of marriage, the mystic third eye of a person, or a decoration.

Bodhi

A Buddhist term which means to have achieved enlightenment. Bodhi, which is Sanskrit for awakening, means to have knowledge of the ultimate reality or perfect knowledge/wisdom by which a person becomes a Buddha. See Paramitas, the Four Noble Truths, Karma, and the Noble Eightfold Path.

Bunad

Traditional Norwegian clothing with elaborate designs and embroidery that reflect the different regions of the country. The woman’s dress consists of a white blouse, stakk (long skirt), vest (waistcoat), apron, and silver or gold sølje (jewelry). The man’s outfit consists of a white shirt, vest, jacket, and trousers ending below the knees worn with high socks.

Butikken

Scandinavian gift shop or store.

Chakras

The word Chakras is a Sanskrit word for wheel or disk and refers to each of seven basic energy centers in the body. The Chakras are part of Yoga, a Hindu discipline of exercises for attaining bodily and mental control and well-being.

Number	Color	Body Location	Represents	Meaning
Chakra # 7	Violet	Crown	Thought	Relates to consciousness & awareness
Chakra # 6	Indigo	Brow	Light	Insight and intuition-Third Eye
Chakra # 5	Blue	Throat	Sound	Self-expression and talking
Chakra # 4	Green	Heart	Air	Love, kindness, and affection
Chakra # 3	Yellow	Solar Plexis	Fire	Self-esteem & personal energy
Chakra # 2	Orange	Sacral	Water	Feelings and sexuality
Chakra # 1	Red	Base of Spine	Earth	Sense of grounding & connection to self

Cheongsam

A traditional Chinese dress with a high collar, mid-calf in length, diagonal front, buttoned on the right side, and slits up the sides. Cheongsam means “long dress” in Cantonese Also known as a Qipau or Chi’ipau Church (Greek: ekklesia: assembly) A place of worship for or a group of believers of Christianity.

Didgeridoo

An ancient wind instrument, originating from the Northern Australian Aborigine, is made from eucalyptus that is naturally hollowed out by termites. The didge, as it is commonly called, is about 3 to 4 feet in length with Circular Breathing, a special breathing technique is used which allows players to performer continuously without stopping to take a breath. The didgeridoo is generally accepted to be the world’s oldest wind instrument.

Djembe

Originating in Mali in West Africa, this goblet-shaped drum is made using a frame covered with animal skins and is played with bare hands. These drums, used by griots, are used for communication, ritual, and secular entertainment.

Flamenco

The music and dance from the Andalucia region in southern Spain marked with three forms: Cante (song), Baile (dance), and Toque (guitar). The dance style features palmas (rhythmic hand clapping) and sophisticated footwork.

Four Noble Truths

The teachings of Buddha.

1. First Noble Truth: Life revolves around suffering-physical, mental, emotional
2. Second Noble Truth: All suffering is caused by selfish craving, rooted in ignorance
3. Third Noble Truth: By eliminating ignorance and craving we can overcome suffering and thereby attain true happiness and peace
4. Fourth Noble Truth: Path to freedom from suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path.

Geta

A Japanese sandal made from wood with raised bottoms or heels. Named for the “clack clack” sound that is made when walking. See Tabi.

Hadith

The written collection of teachings, traditions, and stories of the prophet Muhammad, accepted as a source of Islamic doctrine and law, after the Qur’an.

Haori

A Japanese light-weight coat of hip- or thigh-length worn over a kimono and is closed with a braided cord tied in a decorative knot.

Injera

An Ethiopian large flat bread made of teff flour with a spongy-crepe-like texture. The bread serves as plate, utensil, and food because meats or vegetables are placed on the bread and then eaten with torn pieces of the bread.

Karma

Sanskrit for fate, work, deeds, karma is a term in eastern religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism) that is the sum of a person’s actions, in the past, present, and future, as they relate to cause and effect.

Kimono

A long robe-like outer garment, worn by Japanese men and women, with wide sleeves and closed with a wide sash (obi). Kimono means “clothing” or “things to wear.” Depending on the season or event, the kimono is made from elegant, solid color designs or from fabrics with vivid and bold designs such as birds, dragons, koi (fish), flowers, nature, or repetitive patterns. When dressing, the left side of the kimono is overlapped over the right side, and is closed with a sash.

Koto

A traditional Japanese musical instrument or zither with 13 strings and 180cm (70 inches) in length. The strings are plucked using ivory picks on the forefinger, middle finger, and thumb of the right hand.

Lei

A Hawaiian garland or necklace of flowers given as a token of welcome, congratulations, or farewell. Leis are usually made from flowers (orchids, carnations, ginger blossoms), leaves (ti or fern), sea shells, or kukui nuts.

Mosque

A place of worship and communal center for followers of Islam.

Noble Eightfold Path

The teachings of Buddha that cover every aspect of life – ethical, intellectual, psychological, and social. The steps of the path are:

1. Right View
2. Right Intention
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration

Paramitas

The six perfections in Buddhist teachings:

1. Dana-paramita: generosity
2. Sila-paramita: moral conduct
3. Kshanti-paramita: patience
4. Virya-paramita: diligent effort
5. Dhyana-paramita: meditation
6. Prahna-paramita: wisdom

Pentateuch

(Greek: five books/scrolls) The first five books of the Jewish Scriptures (Torah) or the Christian Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.

Pysanky

The Ukrainian folk art of egg decorating using raw eggs, beeswax, dyes, symbolic designs and colors. Pysanky (from the word pysaty – to write) dates back to prehistoric times and is now associated with Easter and Easter egg decoration. Commonly used designs include the stylized symbol of the sun, a cross, an eight-pointed rosette, a star, and elements of nature such as leaves or animals.

Qipau

A traditional Chinese dress with a high collar, mid-calf in length, diagonal front, buttoned on the right side, and slits up the sides. Qipau or Ch’ipau means “Manchurian gown” in Mandarin. Also known as a Cheongsam.

Qur’an

The book of sacred writings of Islam, believed by Muslims, that records the revelations of Allah to Muhammad. This book, one of the first written works in Arabic, is also called the Koran, the Noble Qur’an, or Alcoran.

Romanji

The Japanese language written in Roman-style letters rather than in the traditional Japanese characters. For example, the word Japan is written as “Nippon.”

Rosemaling

An elaborate folk painting technique, originating in Norway in the 1700s, that is used to decorate home furnishings and accessories.. Rosemaling means “rose” or “flower” painting that features brightly colored, detailed flower designs using specific brush strokes, patterns, and colors. Some of the common styles seen today are Telemark, Hallindal., Rogaland, and Gudbrandsdal.

Sari

(Sanskrit: strip of cloth) A traditional dress, sari or saree, worn by women in India and southeast Asia, that is a log strip of cloth, ranging from 5-9 yards in length. The cloth is first wrapped around the waist, then the rest is draped over one shoulder. A low-cut, midriff-baring choli (blouse) is worn under the sari. Various fabrics of vibrant colors are used including simple cottons to elaborate silks with woven patterns and embroidery.

Shabbat

(Hebrew: rest) The Jewish Sabbath, a day of worship and rest, is observed the seventh day of the week from Friday evening to Saturday evening.  The day recalls the completion of the creation and the exodus from Egypt.

Sabbath

(Hebrew: rest) A day of worship and rest observed on Sunday among Christians. See Shabbat

Synagogue

(Greek: assembly, gathering) A place of worship and communal center of a Jewish congregation.

Tabi

A Japanese sock with a split for the large toe so that sandals can be worn and the feet are covered. See Geta.

TaNaK

The modern acronym for the Jewish Bible using the first letter of the names of the three parts of the Torah: Torah (Pentateuch), Neviim (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings), pronounced TaNaK. Also written as Tanakh.

Temple

A place of worship for followers of Buddhism, Judaism, and Hinduism.

Torah

(Hebrew: teaching, instruction) The five books of Moses in Hebrew Scriptures, the Pentateuch.

Vedas

(Sanskrit: knowledge) The sacred texts of Hinduism. The Vedas are among the most ancient religious texts still in existence, believed to have been written between 1500 BC and 500 BC. There are four Vedas:

1. Rig-Veda (Knowledge of Hymns of Praise)
2. Atharva-Veda (Knowledge of Magic Formulas)
3. Sama-Veda (Knowledge of Melodies)
4. Yajur-Veda (Knowledge of Sacrificial Formulas)

Wat

1. (Thai: Sanskrit: Vata: enclosure) A Cambodian, Lao, or Thai Buddhist temple.
2. An Ethiopian stew made with meat, onions, legumes or lentils,  vegetables, and spiced with berbere.

Yoga

A Hindu discipline of exercises for attaining bodily and mental control and well-being that includes the teachings of the seven Chakras.

Yukata

The Japanese summer kimono, worn by both men and women, is made from lighter-weight fabrics such as cotton. The name yukata comes from “yu” (bath) and”katabira” (under the clothing).

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