Artifact

An or  is a usually simple object (such as a tool or ornament) showing human workmanship or modification as distinguished from a natural object.

Religious artifact
A religious artifact is an object that can have religious, cultural or personal significance. Almost all religious traditions have objects that are used in worship, festivals, rites of passage, or as daily reminders to followers of their beliefs, their traditions, and their identity.

These can be a means of signifying specialness, a visible link to the community and its history or can be a symbol of key principles and beliefs or a object that signifies a key event in the history or theology of that particular religion. It may be used in worship ( a chalice) or be a focus for reflection ( an icon).

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