Wesley Carey: Different types of Pilgrimages

In "Images and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture," Victor and Edith Turner outline four different types of pilgrimages and their features. The first type of pilgrimage are prototypical pilgrimages, which are pilgrimages which were established by the founder of a religion, or by some other important figure of a faith. These pilgrimages include Mecca for Islam and Rome and Jerusalem for Christianity. The second type of pilgrimage are archaic pilgrimages, which have combinations of different traditions and symbols from older religious beliefs present along pilgrimage routes now traveled by members of newer religions. The third type of pilgrimage are medieval pilgrimages, which are pilgrimages that originated during the European Middle Ages and whose tone reflects the ideas and traditions of that time period. The last type of pilgrimage are modern pilgrimages, which are postmedieval pilgrimages. These pilgrimages are characterized by the passionate and pious pilgrims that travel them.