Christianity
Islam
Judaism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Birth & New Life
The arrival of a child is marked with sacred rites across all traditions. Naming ceremonies, dedications, and blessings welcome the newborn into the community of faith and express gratitude for the gift of life.
Across the World's Religions
Christianity
- Practice
- Infant baptism or dedication; naming blessings
- Key Text
- Luke 1:57-63; Mark 10:13-16; Psalm 127:3
Islam
- Practice
- Aqiqah (sacrifice on 7th day); adhan in ear; naming ceremony
- Key Text
- Quran 19:7; Hadith (Tirmidhi 1519)
Judaism
- Practice
- Brit Milah (boys, 8th day); Simchat Bat (girls); naming at Torah
- Key Text
- Genesis 17:12; Genesis 21:3; Luke 2:21
Hinduism
- Practice
- Jatakarma (birth rites); Namakarana (naming ceremony)
- Key Text
- Grihya Sutra; Manusmriti 2.30
Buddhism
- Practice
- Blessing ceremony; offering alms to monks for merit
- Key Text
- DN 31 (Sigalovada Sutta); Khuddakapatha