Fire walking is quite literally the action of walking across some sort of flame/heat. The ceremony takes place in a variety of places around the world including the Indian subcontinent, Malaya, Japan, China, Fiji Islands, Tahiti, Society Islands, New Zealand, Mauritius, Bulgaria, and Spain. It was also practiced in classical Greece and in ancient India and China.

Fire walking takes several forms, the most common being the practice of walking swiftly over a layer of embers spread thinly along the bottom of a shallow trench. Sometimes the participants have to walk through a blazing log fire. Instead of embers from a wood fire, there may be red-hot stones or embers may be poured over the participants head in a “fire bath".

There are many reasons for someone to fire walk. Fire walking has been practiced by many people and cultures in all parts of the world. The earliest known references are from Iron Age India in 1200 BC. It is often used as a rite of passage, a test of human power and courage, or as a test of human faith in religion. Various explanations have been provided for walking on fire. Sometimes it is said that its performance guarantees a good harvest, and sometimes it purifies the participants. Someone who as lied or committed some form of crime can use a form of a "fire bath" to try and absolve themselves. If they go through the ordeal unharmed they have proven themselves innocent and clean.