Sacred prostitution

Sacred prostitution refers to historical or cultural practices where sexual services were offered within religious or spiritual contexts, often as rituals honoring gods, deities, or spiritual beliefs. In these practices, prostitution was integrated into ceremonies, viewed as a form of devotion or spiritual expression, and sometimes held societal or divine significance. It differs from ordinary commercial sex work by its ritualistic or religious purpose, though interpretations and acceptability varied across cultures and time periods. Today, sacred prostitution is a concept studied mainly within anthropology and history to understand its role in ancient societies and spiritual traditions.