Cross and hooks
This is my submission for "Faith".
To me, it represents faith beyond religion - faith in the One God who is worshipped in all religions, faith that the One God would not penalise a person for embracing the icons, symbols and rituals of different "faiths".
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Thaipusam is a Hindu festival in which devotees pierce their bodies with hooks, needles or skewers as an act of sacrifice.
In 2004, I captured this remarkable image of a Thaipusam participant wearing a crucifix, or Catholic cross.
The person could well be a Catholic, because occasionally there are non-Hindus who take part in the festival. (One year, a German journalist did.)
More likely, he is a Hindu - because Hinduism is a very open religion and its followers readily accept the gods and deities of other religions.
In the Hooked and skewered photo essay.
4 responses
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Amelia (amy) Quicke gave props (20 Jun 2008):
good choice
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J. Harris Blacklist gave props (23 Jul 2008):
Unique entry, and I vote Yes.
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Bonnie Blanton (Deleted) gave props (22 Sep 2008):
Good entry and very different point of view here. Voted "yes".
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Lauren Hirsh said (31 Mar 2009):
Wow this is an amazing photo, I never knew something like this existed. Thank you so much for sharing :)
