What does votive mean?
Votive means that an object or building was given in fulfilment of a vow. Related terms are ex voto and votive offering. The word comes from Latin votivus, “relating to a vow”, from votum, vow. Dutch: votief.
Votive in architecture
Someone may vow, for example, to build a church if they survive a dangerous situation, and then have the church built to keep that promise. Such a building is a votive church. A well-known example is the Votivkirche in Vienna, built in thanks after Emperor Franz Joseph survived an assassination attempt in 1853.
Common compounds:
- Votive church or chapel: a church or chapel built in fulfilment of a vow.
- Votive altar: an altar, often small and made of stone, set up in thanks or after a vow. Many Roman votive altars with inscriptions survive.
- Votive tablet: a stone slab with an inscription stating who dedicated a building to a deity or saint, and why. Votive tablets also occur on their own as an expression of thanks.
- Votive figure and votive candle: offerings at places where people hope for healing or protection, such as pilgrimage sites.
Roman votive stones sometimes carry the abbreviation VSLM: Votum Solvit Libens Merito, “fulfilled the vow willingly and deservedly”.
In practice
When you research or restore a historic building, a votive origin often explains its location, patron and inscriptions. Tips:
- Read inscriptions and date stones carefully: dates, names and formulas such as VSLM point to a votive origin.
- Treat votive tablets and altars as fragile heritage. Do not clean inscribed natural stone yourself with high pressure or acids; leave repairs to a conservator.
- Check archives or the heritage register for the building history before planning any work.
Related terms
- Altar
- Parts of a church
- Cruciform church
- Hall church
- Hidden church
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