Sacred vs. Spiritual — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 26, 2024
Sacred refers to something regarded as holy and dedicated to a divine purpose, often connected with religious worship, whereas spiritual pertains to personal, internal experience related to soul or spirit, not necessarily linked to organized religion.
Difference Between Sacred and Spiritual
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Key Differences
Sacred objects or places are specifically dedicated to the worship of a deity or as part of a religious ritual, often revered within formal religious contexts. Spiritual, on the other hand, relates to a person’s individual quest for meaning through inner experiences or personal beliefs that transcend traditional religious boundaries.
Sacred often involves physical items or locations deemed holy by religious doctrines, such as temples or scriptures. Spiritual experiences, whereas, are generally intangible and focused on personal enlightenment or the connection with one's inner self or the universe.
In the realm of the sacred, practices and beliefs are usually defined and governed by religious institutions, setting clear boundaries and guidelines. Spiritual practices, on the other hand, are more fluid, allowing personal interpretation and often including eclectic elements from various belief systems.
Sacred rites typically require communal participation and observe specific traditions passed down through generations. Spiritual practices, in contrast, can be solitary and are not necessarily bound by historical or traditional constraints.
While sacredness is often associated with fear or respect due to divine authority or power, spirituality is usually linked with personal growth, peace, and a sense of harmony with the world.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Connected to religious worship and holy purposes
Pertains to the soul or spirit, personal
Context
Often institutional and communal
Individual and introspective
Practices
Defined by traditions and rituals
Personalized and eclectic
Physicality
Involves holy objects and sacred places
Largely intangible, focuses on inner state
Emotional Tone
Reverence and awe due to divine authority
Inner peace and personal fulfillment
Compare with Definitions
Sacred
Pertaining to something holy and revered.
The church is considered a sacred place for many believers.
Spiritual
Concerning the soul as opposed to the physical or material.
He found solace in his spiritual beliefs.
Sacred
Worthy of religious veneration.
The texts are sacred and treated with utmost respect.
Spiritual
Not concerned with material values or pursuits.
They followed a more spiritual lifestyle, focusing on inner happiness.
Sacred
Secured against violation.
The sacred grove is protected from any form of development.
Spiritual
Relating to religion or religious belief.
The spiritual leaders met to discuss community issues.
Sacred
Reserved for religious or spiritual ceremonies.
The sacred rituals were performed annually.
Spiritual
Relating to or affecting the human spirit.
Her spiritual journey began after a personal crisis.
Sacred
Devoted exclusively to one service or use.
The day is sacred to their religious community.
Spiritual
Expressing a quality of sacredness or reverence.
The music had a spiritual quality that was very soothing.
Sacred
Connected with God or a god or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration
Sacred rites
The site at Eleusis is sacred to Demeter
Spiritual
Of, relating to, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; not material; supernatural
Spiritual power.
Sacred
Dedicated to or set apart for the worship of a deity.
Spiritual
Of, concerned with, or affecting the soul
Spiritual guidance.
Spiritual growth.
Sacred
Worthy of religious veneration
The sacred teachings of the Buddha.
Spiritual
Not concerned with material or worldly things
Led a spiritual life.
Sacred
Made or declared holy
Sacred bread and wine.
Spiritual
Of or belonging to a religion; sacred
Spiritual practices.
Spiritual music.
Sacred
Dedicated or devoted exclusively to a single use, purpose, or person
Sacred to the memory of her sister.
A private office sacred to the President.
Spiritual
A religious folk song of African American origin.
Sacred
Worthy of respect; venerable.
Spiritual
A work composed in imitation of such a song.
Sacred
Of or relating to religious objects, rites, or practices.
Spiritual
Often spirituals Religious, spiritual, or ecclesiastical matters.
Sacred
Characterized by solemn religious ceremony or religious use, especially, in a positive sense; consecrated, made holy.
A sacred place
A sacred day
Sacred service
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to the spirit or the soul.
Respect towards ancestors is an essential part of Thai spiritual practice.
Sacred
Religious; relating to religion, or to the services of religion; not secular
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to God or a place of worship; sacred, pure; inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Sacred
Spiritual; concerned with metaphysics.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to spirits; supernatural.
Sacred
Designated or exalted by a divine sanction; possessing the highest title to obedience, honor, reverence, or veneration; entitled to extreme reverence; venerable.
Spiritual
Consisting of spirit; not material; incorporeal.
A spiritual substance or being
Sacred
Not to be profaned or violated; inviolable.
Spiritual
Of or relating to the intellectual and higher endowments of the mind; mental; intellectual.
Sacred
(followed by the preposition "to") Consecrated; dedicated; devoted
Spiritual
Not lay or temporal; relating to sacred things; ecclesiastical.
The spiritual functions of the clergy; lords spiritual and temporal; a spiritual corporation
Sacred
(archaic) Solemnly devoted, in a bad sense, as to evil, vengeance, curse, or the like; accursed; baleful.
Spiritual
A Christian religious song, especially one in an African-American style, or a similar non-religious song.
Sacred
Simple past tense and past participle of sacre
Spiritual
Any spiritual function, office, or affair.
He assigns supremacy to the pope in spirituals, and to the emperor in temporals. — Lowell.
Sacred
Set apart by solemn religious ceremony; especially, in a good sense, made holy; set apart to religious use; consecrated; not profane or common; as, a sacred place; a sacred day; sacred service.
Spiritual
Consisting of spirit; not material; incorporeal; as, a spiritual substance or being.
It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
Sacred
Relating to religion, or to the services of religion; not secular; religious; as, sacred history.
Smit with the love of sacred song.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to the intellectual and higher endowments of the mind; mental; intellectual.
Sacred
Designated or exalted by a divine sanction; possessing the highest title to obedience, honor, reverence, or veneration; entitled to extreme reverence; venerable.
Such neighbor nearness to our sacred [royal] bloodShould nothing privilege him.
Poet and saint to thee alone were given,The two most sacred names of earth and heaven.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to the moral feelings or states of the soul, as distinguished from the external actions; reaching and affecting the spirits.
God's law is spiritual; it is a transcript of the divine nature, and extends its authority to the acts of the soul of man.
Sacred
Hence, not to be profaned or violated; inviolable.
Secrets of marriage still are sacred held.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to the soul or its affections as influenced by the Spirit; controlled and inspired by the divine Spirit; proceeding from the Holy Spirit; pure; holy; divine; heavenly-minded; - opposed to carnal.
That I may impart unto you some spiritual gift.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings.
If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one.
Sacred
Consecrated; dedicated; devoted; - with to.
A temple, sacred to the queen of love.
Spiritual
Not lay or temporal; relating to sacred things; ecclesiastical; as, the spiritual functions of the clergy; lords spiritual and temporal; a spiritual corporation.
Sacred
Solemnly devoted, in a bad sense, as to evil, vengeance, curse, or the like; accursed; baleful.
But, to destruction sacred and devote.
Spiritual
A spiritual function, office, or affair. See Spirituality, 2.
He assigns supremacy to the pope in spirituals, and to the emperor in temporals.
Sacred
Concerned with religion or religious purposes;
Sacred texts
Sacred rites
Sacred music
Spiritual
A kind of religious song originated by Blacks in the southern United States
Sacred
Worthy of respect or dedication;
Saw motherhood as woman's sacred calling
Spiritual
Concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church;
Religious texts
A nenber if a religious order
Lords temporal and spiritual
Spiritual leaders
Spiritual songs
Sacred
Made or declared or believed to be holy; devoted to a deity or some religious ceremony or use;
A consecrated chursh
The sacred mosque
Sacred elephants
Sacred bread and wine
Sanctified wine
Spiritual
Concerned with or affecting the spirit or soul;
A spiritual approach to life
Spiritual fulfillment
Spiritual values
Unearthly love
Sacred
Worthy of religious veneration;
The sacred name of Jesus
Jerusalem's hallowed soil
Spiritual
Lacking material body or form or substance;
Spiritual beings
The vital transcendental soul belonging to the spiritual realm
Sacred
(often followed by `to') devoted exclusively to a single use or purpose or person;
A fund sacred to charity
A morning hour sacred to study
A private office sacred to the President
Spiritual
Like or being a phantom;
A ghostly face at the window
A phantasmal presence in the room
Spectral emanations
Spiritual tappings at a seance
Common Curiosities
How do sacred and spiritual values influence lifestyle?
Sacred values typically guide behavior in accordance with religious laws, while spiritual values focus more on personal moral and ethical growth.
Are sacred texts always spiritual?
Sacred texts are inherently spiritual as they deal with aspects of the divine and moral guidelines within a religious context.
Can something be spiritual but not sacred?
Yes, something can be considered spiritual if it pertains to personal soulful experiences without being designated as sacred by a religious group.
What is the difference in emotional impact between sacred and spiritual?
Sacred often invokes a sense of awe and formality, while spiritual experiences generally foster a feeling of personal peace and enlightenment.
Can spiritual practices involve religious rituals?
Yes, spiritual practices can involve religious rituals, but they also encompass personal, non-traditional approaches to spirituality.
What defines a sacred place?
A sacred place is defined by its religious significance and the reverence it holds within a particular faith.
How are sacred sites protected?
Sacred sites are often protected by legal measures and community efforts due to their religious and cultural importance.
Is spirituality confined to religious contexts?
No, spirituality can exist outside of religious contexts as it pertains to personal beliefs about the soul or essence.
What role does community play in sacred and spiritual experiences?
Community plays a central role in sacred experiences through shared practices, whereas spiritual experiences may be more individualistic.
Can spiritual experiences be shared with others?
While spiritual experiences are often personal, they can also be shared with others.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
