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This illustration shows the Sacred Altar of Heaven. This altar is located in the city of Peking, China.

Altar of Heavan

This illustration shows the Sacred Altar of Heaven. This altar is located in the city of Peking, China.

"Altars were either square or round. Specimens of both kinds are here given from ancient sculptures." — Anthon, 1891

Altars

"Altars were either square or round. Specimens of both kinds are here given from ancient sculptures."…

"The Contellation Ara; One of the 15 ancient southern constellations; the Altar."-Whitney, 1902

Ara

"The Contellation Ara; One of the 15 ancient southern constellations; the Altar."-Whitney, 1902

"An alter. Ara was a general term denoting any structure elevated aove the ground, and used to receive upon it offerings made to the gods. Altare, probably contracted from alta ara, was properly restricted to the larger, higher, and more expensive structures. The two specimens shown here are square." — Smith, 1873

Ara

"An alter. Ara was a general term denoting any structure elevated aove the ground, and used to receive…

"An alter. Ara was a general term denoting any structure elevated aove the ground, and used to receive upon it offerings made to the gods. Altare, probably contracted from alta ara, was properly restricted to the larger, higher, and more expensive structures." — Smith, 1873

Ara

"An alter. Ara was a general term denoting any structure elevated aove the ground, and used to receive…

"An alter. Ara was a general term denoting any structure elevated aove the ground, and used to receive upon it offerings made to the gods. Altare, probably contracted from alta ara, was properly restricted to the larger, higher, and more expensive structures." — Smith, 1873

Ara

"An alter. Ara was a general term denoting any structure elevated aove the ground, and used to receive…

Martyrdom of St. Thomas at Canterbury Cathedral.

Martyrdom of St. Thomas

Martyrdom of St. Thomas at Canterbury Cathedral.

The Metz Cathedral is also known as the St. Etienne de Metz in French. It is a Roman Catholic church located in Moselle, France. The interior nave shown in this picture, is the center aisle that leads to the altar, it is the third highest in France.

Metz Cathedral

The Metz Cathedral is also known as the St. Etienne de Metz in French. It is a Roman Catholic church…

Illustration of King Clovis kneeling before Saint Remigius. Clovis' wife, Clotilde, kneels next to him. Remigius, dressed in robes, is baptizing Clovis. Several members of Clovis' court stand behind him. Monks and other clergy as well as two altar boys with incense stand around and behind Remigius.

Clovis, King of the Franks, is Baptized by Saint Remigius

Illustration of King Clovis kneeling before Saint Remigius. Clovis' wife, Clotilde, kneels next to him.…

"Then the fire of Jehovah fell, and consumed the burnt-offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, Jehovah, he is God; Jehovah, he is God." I Kings 18:38-39 ASV <p>Illustration of Elijah kneeling before the altar, surrounded by a trench as the people kneel and praise God. The altar has a bull on top of it and it is on fire. Flames shoot down from heaven.

Elijah Praying to God to Set Fire to His Altar in Front of the Prophets of Baal

"Then the fire of Jehovah fell, and consumed the burnt-offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the…

The engraving, "Elizabetha Regina (From 'A Booke of Christian Prayers.' Printed by John Daye, London, 1569.)." -Cundall, 1895

Elizabetha Regina

The engraving, "Elizabetha Regina (From 'A Booke of Christian Prayers.' Printed by John Daye, London,…

A ornate Roman engraving.

Roman engraving

A ornate Roman engraving.

"A small desk in cathedrals, churches, etc., at which the litany is enjoined to be sung or said. It is sometimes called a litany stool or litany desk, and when used it is generally placed in the middle of the choir, sometimes near the steps of the altar." -Whitney, 1911

Faldstool

"A small desk in cathedrals, churches, etc., at which the litany is enjoined to be sung or said. It…

The chancel screen finial is found in the space around the altar. It is a 16th century design found in Freiburg, Germany.

Chancel Screen Finial

The chancel screen finial is found in the space around the altar. It is a 16th century design found…

The stairway of the great altar at Pergamon in Ancient Greece shows a frieze. A frieze is a sculpture of an entablature in bas-relief.

Frieze of Altar at Pergamon

The stairway of the great altar at Pergamon in Ancient Greece shows a frieze. A frieze is a sculpture…

"Lady Chapel of Gloucester Cathedral, England, looking toward the nave." -Whitney, 1911

Gloucester Cathedral

"Lady Chapel of Gloucester Cathedral, England, looking toward the nave." -Whitney, 1911

"Gothic Altar. An Altar is an erection made for the offering of sacrifices for memorial purposes, or for some other object. An altar designed for sacrifice is mentioned in Scripture as early as the time of Noah."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Gothic Altar

"Gothic Altar. An Altar is an erection made for the offering of sacrifices for memorial purposes, or…

An illustration of a gravestone with a man and woman carved on it. They are both facing each other and kneeling in front of an altar praying.

Man and Woman on a Gravestone

An illustration of a gravestone with a man and woman carved on it. They are both facing each other and…

This Chimaera Head is shown from its front and side view. Found in the corner of an antique three-sided altar.

Chimaera Head

This Chimaera Head is shown from its front and side view. Found in the corner of an antique three-sided…

This Ram head is found at a Roman altar.

Ram Head

This Ram head is found at a Roman altar.

Illustration of the High Priest, most likely Aaron, in the Holy of Holies, holding the Ten Commandments. The Ark of the Covenant sits in the back.The Table of Showbread sits on the right with twelve loaves of bread on top. The Golden Candlestick is on the left with its seven lit flames. The Altar of Perfumes is in the center and incense is burning on it.

Inside the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle

Illustration of the High Priest, most likely Aaron, in the Holy of Holies, holding the Ten Commandments.…

"When she was about to be slain at the altar, Artemis intervened and carried her off in a cloud to be priestess of her temple in Tauris (the Crimea), while a stag was substituted in the sacrifice." &mdash; The Delphian Society, 1913

Rescue of Iphigenia

"When she was about to be slain at the altar, Artemis intervened and carried her off in a cloud to be…

A cartoon drawing of Thomas Jefferson.

A Caricature of Jefferson

A cartoon drawing of Thomas Jefferson.

"And they arose before the morning on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month (which is the month of Casleu) in the hundred and forty-eighth year. And they offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of holocausts which they had made. According to the time, and according to the day wherein the heathens had defiled it, in the same was it dedicated anew with canticles, and harps, and lutes, and cymbals. And all the people fell upon their faces, and adored, and blessed up to heaven, him that had prospered them. And they kept the dedication of the altar eight days, and they offered holocausts with joy, and sacrifices of salvation, and of praise." 1 Maccabees 5:52-56 DRA <p>Illustration of large crowd gathered to observe the rededication of the altar of holocausts.

Judas Machabeus Restores the Temple

"And they arose before the morning on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month (which is the month…

"And Noah builded an altar unto Jehovah, and took of every clean beast, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt-offerings on the altar." Genesis 8:20 ASV <p>Illustration of Noah and his family offering sacrifice after disembarking from the ark.

Noah Gives Thanks after the Flood

"And Noah builded an altar unto Jehovah, and took of every clean beast, and of every clean bird, and…

"And they came to the place which God had told him of. And Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of Jehovah called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham. And he said, Here I am. And he said, Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him. For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me." Genesis 22:9-12 <p>This sculpture is a Bronze-relief by Brunellesco. There is a similar sculpture done by Ghiberti. It can now be found in the National Museum in Florence, Italy.

Offering of Isaac

"And they came to the place which God had told him of. And Abraham built the altar there, and laid the…

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican." Luke 18:10 ASV <p>Illustration of a Pharisee and a publican, also referred to as a tax collector, praying in the temple. The Pharisee is dressed in full priestly costume and robes. He is standing behind the veil, within the room that holds the menorah and incense altar, and praying with his head up and chest out. The publican stands outside of the main room, head bowed, staff in hand.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, or the Tax Collector

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican." Luke 18:10…

This gold pattern is a 15th century design found on the floor of the altar shrine in the monastery of Heilbronn in Germany.

Gold Pattern

This gold pattern is a 15th century design found on the floor of the altar shrine in the monastery of…

This gold pattern is a design found on the floor of the altar shrine in the church of St. Egidius, Barthfeld, Slovakia.

Gold Pattern

This gold pattern is a design found on the floor of the altar shrine in the church of St. Egidius, Barthfeld,…

"And the angel of Jehovah called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham. And he said, Here I am. And he said, Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him. For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me." Genesis 22:11-12 <p>The angel of the Lord halts the sacrifice of Isaac and provides a ram in his place.

Sacrifice of Isaac

"And the angel of Jehovah called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham. And he said, Here…

The Half-figure Socle of Altar is the base platform design of the altar. It is a design of two half-figure human bodies with the bottom part is a scroll foliage design. This socle is found in the cathedral of Orvieto, Italy, designed during the Italian Renaissance.

Half-Figure Socle of Altar

The Half-figure Socle of Altar is the base platform design of the altar. It is a design of two half-figure…

"And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:" 1 Kings 8:22 KJV

Solomon Dedicates the Temple

"And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and…

"Plan of Wells Cathedral. A, Apse or apsis. B, Altar, altar-platform, and altar-steps. D E, Eastern or lesser transept. F G, Western or greater transept. H, Central towers. I J, Western towers. K, North porch. L, Library or register. M, Principal or western doorway. N N, Western side doors. O, Cloister yard or garth. P Q, North and south aisles of choir. R S, East and west aisles of transept. T U, North and south aisles of nave. R R, Chapels. V, Rood screen or organ loft. W, Altar of Lazy chapel." &mdash; Winston's Encyclopedia, 1919

Wells Cathedral

"Plan of Wells Cathedral. A, Apse or apsis. B, Altar, altar-platform, and altar-steps. D E, Eastern…

"And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of altar of incense. And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John." Luke 1:11-13 ASV <p>Illustration of Zacharias, the priest, on his knees in front of an angel in the temple. Zacharias has an incense burner in his hand and smoke is rising from the altar. The angel's right arm is raised. A menorah sits behind Zacharias. The Table of Showbread is on the right. The curtain, or veil, that leads to the Holy of Holies is behind the altar. Zacharias doesn't believe the angel's message and so is struck blind.

Zacharias is Told by an Angel that His Wife Will Have a Son, John the Baptist

"And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of altar of incense. And…