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TOPPING OUT CEREMONIES AND THE BLESSING OF BUILDINGS AND PROJECTS |
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| Over the centuries, there have been many different settings in which buildings and special projects have been blessed. | |
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Blessing Projects
The Daruma doll, from Japan, is usually made of papier mache. At the start of a project the left eye is inked in and, on completion, the right eye is added.
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Obvious examples of 'projects' are military expeditions and voyages of exploration, but far smaller ones too have warranted this kind of special ceremony. In recent years, it has been quite usual for commercial projects, such as a corporate restructuring, creation of a 'secret' development team, or launch of a new product, to be blessed at their outset. This has often been because of the strong religious beliefs of the Chairman or President of the company or because of the strong faith of the original founders. In Japan, this is still common practise with Shinto priests often initiating a new production line or other corporate events. Not to do so is seen by the workforce, the community and even city investors as very poor conduct by the company's directors. Blessings of this kind, honour those who have led to the inception of the project, seek divine support and good luck for the project itself and good health and fortune to those who participate. Where there are obvious recipients of the end result, such as the residents of a community, the blessing seeks to bestow similar benefits to them. By involving all interested parties, it is often seen as an effective way of building commitment from people who might otherwise oppose the project. |
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Blessing Homes
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In many civilisations, people would seek a blessing from a wandering priest or monk, who would gladly perform the rites in exchange for alms and probably a room for the night. The key benefits sought would be health, wealth and a large family. Where demons were thought to remain in the property they would be asked to leave as might the spirits of the recent dead. More generally, a property might be cleared of the aura of previous occupants and prepared for new ones. Todays' house-warming parties, are the vestige of earlier spiritual blessings and many people are now reintroducing the idea of a blessing in the middle of an afternoon or evening party when they have their closest friends around them in their new home. No home is too grand or too simple for a blessing - one of the loveliest celebrations I have been to was a simple dinner with four guests in a bedsit! |
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Blessing
of Other Premises
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Non-domestic properties, including factories, surgeries, clinics, shops, halls and churches all receive blessings - usually seeking the best outcomes for those who work in or visit them. |
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Topping Out Ceremonies
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One special case of the blessing of premises, is the topping out ceremony. The topping out celebration is held when the highest point of a new building has been constructed. It is a celebration to thank the workers for their efforts, to honour their safe working and to wish safety for those about to complete the construction. Where projects have a significant political or local impact, the topping out ceremony takes on an additional role in cementing relationships between the different parties involved. In the 70s and 80s, the spiritual component of the ceremony was often dropped but today, more and more civic authorities and construction companies are drawing on a priest to create something significant for those present. With a resurgence of interest in multi-culturalism, and the increasing representation of different ethnic groups among the workforce, this is a service that an interfaith minister is increasingly considered most appropriate for. Click HERE to read more about the history of topping out - and its usual symbols of the fir tree and flag. |
