Year 9 Religion Revision: Mary and Dreaming & Catholicism

Vocabulary terms covering Catholic beliefs regarding Mary, artistic symbolism, and definitions related to Aboriginal spirituality and the Dreaming.

Disciple

A follower or student of a teacher, leader, or philosopher; Mary is considered the first among these in Christianity.

Blue clothing (Marian Symbolism)

A traditional color used in Catholic artwork to depict Mary, often representing her status as Queen of Heaven.

Lily (Marian Symbolism)

A symbol used in depictions of Mary representing her purity and the Immaculate Conception.

Crown (Marian Symbolism)

An artistic symbol representing Mary as the Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Stars (Marian Symbolism)

A symbol frequently appearing in Marian art, often as a circle around her head symbolizing the 12 tribes of Israel or the 12 apostles.

Virgin Birth

The Marian belief documenting that Jesus was conceived through the Holy Spirit without a human father.

Mother of God (Theotokos)

A Marian belief and title meaning 'God-bearer,' emphasizing that Mary is the mother of Jesus, who is truly God.

The Assumption

The belief that at the end of her earthly life, Mary was taken body and soul into heavenly glory.

The Immaculate Conception

The belief that Mary was preserved from original sin from the first moment of her own conception.

Mother of the Church

A title for Mary that recognizes her as the spiritual mother of all members of the Christian community.

Apparition

A supernatural appearance of Mary to individuals or groups at a specific time and location.

Acknowledgment of Country

A statement of respect that can be given by any person—Indigenous or non-Indigenous—to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land.

Welcome to Country

A formal ceremony or protocol performed by Traditional Owners or Elders to welcome visitors to their ancestral land.

Connection to Country

The spiritual, physical, and cultural relationship that Aboriginal people have with the land, which they consider sacred.

The Dreaming

The core of Aboriginal spirituality that explains the origin of the universe, the creation of the land, and the laws of existence.

Bunjil

A specific figure/creator spirit found in Dreaming stories.

Message stick

A traditional Aboriginal tool used as a form of communication between different groups to pass on important information.

The Stolen Generations

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families by Australian government agencies and church missions in the past.

9 Aspects of Religion

A framework comprising nine distinct components used to study and analyze religions, including Aboriginal spirituality.