Natalie Gilbert: Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture

Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture has a strong focus on the concept liminality. According to Turner, it can be defined as “the state and process of mid-transition in a rite of passage. In class we discussed this and Professor Redick told his story of how in the Marines there is a definite sense of being liminal. One is neither a Marine, but while at training and removal from society, one is not a civilian either. I thought the ideal analogy of what can be considered liminal was the act of standing in a doorway. In the movie we watched in class, I believe on Hirata’s pilgrimage he was liminal when crossing over the bridge on his own to get to the river to perform his ceremony for his parents. This is an example where objects and tangible things can symbolize the state of being liminal. The process carried on pilgrimages is a state of separation, then liminal, and finally regurgitation back into society. I personally would like to experience this process at some point in life in terms of going on a pilgrimage.