tjurunga (redirected from Churinga)

tjurunga

 or churinga

In native Australian religion, a ritual object that is a representation or manifestation of a mythical being. They are symbols of communication between humans and the Dreaming. Most tjurunga are used in men's secret and sacred rituals, though some small objects figure in women's rituals and still smaller objects in men's love magic. At initiation, a boy is introduced to the rituals and tjurunga of his local descent group. Later, he receives his own tjurunga, with which he has a personal bond. At a person's death, the tjurunga is sometimes buried with the corpse.