A sign of belonging

11 religious customs unique in the world

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There are thousands of religions around the world, each following unique beliefs and customs. Some practices arise from the cultures associated with a particular faith, others from traditions shaped by historical events, and some can work as a way of showing adherence to a certain religion.

While some practices and beliefs may be shared among different religions, some are distinctive to a particular group. In this article, we will explore 11 customs and traditions that are unique to a religious group.

Sikhism: Uncut hair and turban

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Sikhism is a religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of India. Nowadays, it is estimated that around 30 million people around the world follow the Sikh faith.

As instructed by Guru Gobind Singh, Sikhs uphold five distinctive symbols of their faith, known as the Five Ks. One of these symbols is Kesh, or uncut hair, which Sikh men traditionally cover with a turban. This commandment also applies to facial hair. Sikh women tend to leave their uncut hair down, but some choose to wear a turban or other forms of head covering.

Orthodox Christianity: right-to-left sign of the cross

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The sign of the cross, also known as signing oneself, is a Christian practice that dates back to at least the 3rd century and signifies the belief in the Holy Trinity. It is performed by touching the forehead, then the chest, and finally both shoulders.

While Catholics and other Christian denominations also use the sign of the cross, Orthodox churches are the main religious group to be identified by this practice performing it from right to left (touching the right shoulder first) and using three fingers to represent the Trinity.

Buddhism: Anatta (no-soul)

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Buddhism stands out for its lack of certain concepts that most Western people would come to expect from a major religion. One of these is the idea of a soul or a permanent, unchanging essence within a person. Instead, the focus is on the cycle of death and rebirth (samsara) and the interconnection of all things.

For Buddhists, nothing is isolated. Everything is part of a big system that’s interconnected, and clinging to the notion of a fixed self leads to suffering and disappointment. Letting go of attachments is a way to transcend suffering and move toward enlightenment (nirvana).

Catholics: no meat on Fridays

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Fridays are a special day in the Catholic tradition because they commemorate the day Christ died. This makes it a day of reflection, penance, and sacrifice, as a way to share the hardships and troubles Christ suffered. One common form of penance is by abstaining from eating meat.

Traditionally, not sacrificing an animal to eat was a way to highlight Christ’s death as the major sacrifice on Fridays. Because meat was once the foundation of most diets, giving it up was seen as a meaningful act of self-denial. This tradition only applies to warm-blooded animals, and everything that lives in water is permitted, which sometimes led to people eating beavers and capybaras on Good Friday.

Protestant Denominations: Iconoclasm

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Religious images are an important topic in all Christian denominations. Some use it as a way of honoring God and remember the saints, while others feel that they can lead to improper veneration, and most Protestant denominations fall into the second category: they believe that it violates the biblical commandment against idolatry.

In following this custom, they prefer not to have images or overtly ornate churches, not only to avoid giving material things the reverence owed only to God, but also as a way to avoid distractions.

Hinduism: the longest wedding ritual

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Weddings are joyous occasions across all cultures and religions, but Hindu weddings are on a different level. They are known for being colorful, ornate, and filled with dances, good food, and music. But this is not just a cultural trait: the wedding ritual is also ornate and intricate, and is one of the longest wedding rituals in the world.

While Hindu wedding customs vary widely by region, language, and community, they all share a common spiritual foundation. Most include at least three main rituals, each with its own traditions and associated ceremonies, making Hindu weddings multi-day events, often lasting a minimum of three days.

Islam: eating with the right hand

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Many cultures and religions designate a specific hand for certain activities, such as eating or drinking, as a way to promote cleanliness. In Islamic tradition, the right hand is considered the appropriate hand for such acts, not only for reasons of hygiene but also for spiritual and symbolic significance.

Many Muslim scholars reference the right hand is associated with purity and blessing, while the left is considered impure and reserved for tasks related to personal hygiene. Some traditions also believe that the devil eats with the ‘impure’ hand, so they recommend using the right hand so as not to imitate him.

Shinto: no doctrine or scripture

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Shinto is a nature-based religion with centuries of history, practiced primarily in Japan. It venerates multiple deities, known as kami, which are believed to inhabit natural landscapes, forces of nature, and various aspects of life. By venerating them in their shrines, Shinto followers aim to cultivate harmonious relationships with these deities.

Unlike many other religions, Shinto does not have a central scripture or formal doctrine that dictates how it should be practiced. There is a strong focus on rituals and traditions, which are deeply ingrained in Japanese society and its customs. This means that there are multiple variations of Shinto practice, depending on the region, its history, and its customs.

Judaism: breaking a glass

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Judaism is an ethnoreligion, meaning its religious beliefs are closely intertwined with cultural identity, even for Jews who may not consider themselves religious. One enduring tradition is the breaking of a glass by the groom during the wedding ceremony, a custom observed even by many secular Jews.

The breaking of the glass is traditionally understood as a remembrance of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and the hardships that followed. But why such a sad memento on a joyful occasion? To remind us that life has its ups and downs, and joy is always mixed with sorrow.

Taoism: Inner smile

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Taoism (also known as Daoism) is both a religion and a philosophy stemming from ancient China, but with influences in many Asian societies. It emphasizes harmony with the universe and its energy (Tao or Dao), and has many practices related to meditation and spiritual cultivation.

The Inner Smile is one of these customs. By smiling inwardly, followers of Tao aim to cultivate a sense of gratitude and love for their bodies and, through this connection, release negative energy and promote well-being.

Mormons: No coffee or tea

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church) observes several dietary guidelines, one of which is the avoidance of coffee and tea. But where does this custom originate?

The Word of Wisdom (a section of LDS scripture) outlines health-related guidelines, including the prohibition of certain substances. Among these, "hot drinks" are forbidden. Traditionally, this has been interpreted to mean hot coffee and tea (excluding herbal teas). For many members, this has extended to avoiding caffeine altogether, though interpretations vary. Some believe that chilled coffee and tea are permissible, while others consume alternative caffeinated beverages, such as soda.

Deep blue facts

You won't believe what they found in the Pacific: 10 incredible sea facts

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As you probably know, the oceans cover about 70% of the Earth's surface. That's huge! However, humans have explored only about 5% of the ocean. Just imagine what fascinating—and possibly terrifying—creatures might be hiding down there! If you're ready to learn 10 little-known facts about the ocean, keep reading.

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If you think the Andes are the longest mountain range on the planet, you're only partially right! At about 5,500 miles long, the Andes are the longest mountain range on Earth’s surface. However, the ocean hides a giant over 40,000 miles long. That’s right—the Mid-Ocean Ridge, which lies entirely underwater, is actually the longest mountain range on Earth!

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In the Pacific Ocean, about 124 miles east of the Mariana Islands, lies the famous Mariana Trench. It's more than just a trench—it's the deepest oceanic trench on Earth. In fact, it's even deeper than Mount Everest is tall! You might be thinking, "Wait, what?" Well, Everest rises an impressive 29,032 feet above sea level, but the deepest point of the Mariana Trench, known as the Challenger Deep, plunges to about 36,000 feet below sea level.

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If you say "older than dinosaurs" to refer to something that happened a long, long time ago, you could also say "as old as sea sponges." That’s because sea sponges—simple, invertebrate sea creatures—have existed on this planet since before the dinosaurs, and they’re still here! As some of the first multicellular organisms on Earth, they’ve been around for about 600 million years!

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We all know that trees and plants give us oxygen through photosynthesis. But did you know that land-based plants contribute only about 20 to 30% of the Earth's oxygen? That’s right—the majority, around 70%, comes from the ocean! This oxygen is produced through photosynthesis by marine organisms like phytoplankton, algae, and cyanobacteria.

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Frogfish aren’t particularly distinguished by their beauty, but their eccentric appearance is not the only strange thing about them. When it comes to eating, they have a really hard time! Why? It happens that these creatures are carnivorous and feed mainly on other fish and crustaceans. But here's the thing: they don't have teeth! So, they have no choice but to swallow their prey whole.

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Despite being teeming with life, even containing thousands of species that humans have yet to discover, the ocean also has areas where there’s virtually nothing. What do we mean? We're talking about the so-called "dead zones" of the ocean—those parts where the amount of oxygen is so low that almost no form of life can survive!

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Among the many surprises that can be found under the sea is the Great Barrier Reef, recognized as the largest living structure on the planet.

Located off the coast of Australia, it stretches over 1,400 miles—that's about the same distance as between New York City and Dallas! In fact, it’s so large that it can even be seen from space. Amazing, isn’t it?

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The ocean is home to incredible creatures, and among the most fascinating is the mimic octopus. As its name suggests, this extraordinary animal has the ability to adopt a wide variety of shapes.

The mimic octopus can change its color, texture, and form to blend in with its surroundings, imitating different surfaces. But what’s even more surprising is its ability to mimic not just the appearance, but also the behaviors of other marine animals!

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Water is incredibly powerful—and surprisingly fast! It has been proven that tsunamis—those giant waves caused by underwater earthquakes—can travel at speeds of 500 to 600 miles per hour, roughly the same speed as a jet plane. That’s why tsunamis are so dangerous and destructive when they reach land.

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Do you know what nudibranchs are? These creatures are soft-bodied marine mollusks are known for their stunning colors. But their appearance isn’t the only amazing thing about them—some types of nudibranchs are even solar-powered! What does that mean? Well, these incredible creatures can harness the sun’s rays to produce energy, much like plants do.