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sacred thread

American  

noun

Hinduism.
  1. a cord worn by Hindus of the three upper castes as a sign of being twice-born or initiated into the Vedas.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On the first, priests tie a sacred thread around the necks of the transgender devotees, symbolising their marriage to the Hindu warrior god Aravan.

From Barron's • May 3, 2026

When the avalanche passed, Rijal fell to his knees clutching his upanayana, the sacred thread devout Hindus wear around their neck, and wept.

From Reuters • May 7, 2015

He had taken his shirt off to bathe, and I could see draped over his left shoulder the sacred thread given to Brahman boys when they come of age.

From "Homeless Bird" by Gloria Whelan

Brāhmans serve as their priests, and they invest boys with the sacred thread either at marriage or at a special ceremony known as Gurmukh.

From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)

Mr. Crooke states that they claim partly a Vaishya and partly a Brāhmanical descent, and wear the sacred thread.

From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)

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