Sfumata - Divine Smoke ?

The success or failure of the electoral process will be indicated to the world through the Sfumata or Smoke Signals.

I culled this from an article from Harvard Business School. "How do Cardinals divine the Will of God ?". My 1st Posting on Religion is here, where I kinda mentioned who just, may be-- declared as the next "Bishop of Rome"

I find this really strange, that  Smoke Signals are used indicate to the world the outcome of the electoral process.  I also run Smoke Signals. A category dedicated to Truths and Values on Native Indians.

Comments

[felix gerena]

The smoke in the Vatican is just a way of telling to those outside that the Pope has been elected (if the smoke is white) or they must vote again (if it is grey). It´s a sign that helps to communicate that simple messagge.

In the case of other smoke rituals such as those of the indians, the smoke has a wider meaning, it´s directly related to the religious beliefs of the practitioners. I can´t remember now any catholic ritual directly bound to smoke, as there are others like ashes or water.

[/pd]

ACtually Felix, in the Roman Catholic rites, there is the incense burning which gives way to smoke.

Yes, vespars & benidications are important for buring of incense. Why ? its a tradition of faith.