Idolmancy is a technique based on the viewing divination metal or stone idols and is derivative ± agalmatomancy. The term comes from the Greek language eidōlon, phantom + manteía, prophecy), as ama the method has been known since ancient times.
The term idol is often synonymous with the iconic image.
Idolmancy was also associated with demonomancy because often idols represent the demons that inhabited them and waited for summoning.
On old altars, it was normal to present decorative images of deities. The idols fulfilled the role of worship and served for divination purposes.
Members of the Abrahamic religions identify cult images as idols, and their worship as idolatry – the worship of empty forms. The book of Isaiah gave a classic expression to the paradox associated with the cult of iconic images:
Their land is also full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, which they did with their own fingers.
- Isaiah 2.8 , reflected in Isaiah 17.8 .
Catholics and Orthodox Christians are making an exception for the worship of images of saints – distinguish the worship of adoration or latrii .