Rzeczy święte. O kulturowych wędrówkach „Trzech małp z Nikko”

Abstract

Sacred object: On the cultural migrations of the Three monkeys from Nikko

The text is concerned with transformations of a sacred object during its spreading and functioning beyond its original cultural context. The author uses the example of the cultural migrations of the Three monkeys from Nikko and claims that during the process of desacralization the symbol is transformed into a sign or emblem. This process indicates the functions and the role of religion in con­temporary culture. From a different perspective, when a sacred object is treated as a ritual object 1 sensitive experience could be taken into account and 2 objects’ power could be recognized in acting.