Difference Between Sacred & Holy

Sacred vs Holy

Sacred, holy, divine, and hallow are terms frequently used to describe things and concepts that are extraordinary and connected with God or godly things. Examples of this include the holy bible and sacred texts or scriptures. While there are many similarities and overlaps between holy and sacred, leading many to use these words interchangeably, they are not synonymous as suggested by most dictionaries. This article will discuss the subtle differences between holy and sacred.

Holy

When something is holy or sacred, it is considered to be in a state of holiness. We talk about the holy bible, holy places, and even holy people. In many world religions, there are certain objects, such as religious books and artifacts believed to belong to the founder of the religion, that are considered holy by the followers of the faith. The word has been derived from “halig”, which means uninjured, in sound health, complete, entire, etc. In terms of religion, holiness may be defined as completeness in religion, or perfection in religion.

Sacred

The word sacred pertains to things that are godly, differentiating them from things that are mundane or worldly. While it is also an antonym of profane, sacred refers to anything connected with a religion and, therefore, needs to be venerated. Examples of this include sacred rites, sacred texts, sacred rituals, and so on. If something is sacred, it is certainly not secular. An object becomes sacred for the followers of a religion because it is associated with the divine or a deity.

Key Takeaways

• Holiness is a concept or virtue inside a person or thing, while sacredness pertains to things that are godly and differentiate them from worldly things.
• Holy is derived from “halig”, meaning uninjured or in sound health, complete, entire, etc., and can refer to the holy bible, holy places, and holy people.
• Sacred refers to anything connected with a religion and needing veneration, such as sacred rites, sacred texts, and sacred rituals.