Zion
- This article deals with the historical and biblical Zion of Israel. For other uses of the term, see Zion (disambiguation).
Zion, or Sion, is an archaic term that originally referred to a section of Jerusalem, which, by Biblical definition, is the City of David. After the death of King David, the term Zion came to refer to the hill in Jerusalem which was the site of Solomon's temple. Later, Zion came to refer to the temple and the temple grounds themselves. Beyond that, Zion is used to symbolize Jerusalem and the Promised Land of God to come, in which God dwells among his chosen people.
The modern hill south of the Armenian Quarter of the Old City now called Zion is the result of a misnomer dating from the Middle Ages when pilgrims mistook the relatively large, flat summit for the original site of the City of David.
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Modern use
Anti-Slavery
The longing for Zion of the Babylonian Hebrews was adopted as a metaphor by Christianized Black slaves. Thus, Zion symbolizes a longing, by wandering peoples, for a safe homeland. This could be a literal place such as in Ethiopia for Rastafarians for example. For others, it has taken on a more spiritual meaning—a safe spiritual homeland, like in heaven, or a kind of peace of mind in one's present life.
Latter Day Saint usage of the term Zion
- Main article: Zion (Mormonism)
Zion is a term with broad significance in Mormonism. In addition to its Biblical meaning referring to Jerusalem, Latter Day Saints see Zion more broadly as any city in which the people are unified and are "pure at heart". In particular, the term refers to the central physical location or city to which Latter Day Saints have historically gathered, which has included Kirtland, Ohio, Independence, Missouri, and Nauvoo, Illinois. In a more metaphorical sense, Zion represents a unified society of Latter Day Saints, unified as members of the Church of Christ. Zion also refers to what Latter Day Saints generally believe will be the New Jerusalem, a physical, Millennial city expected to be established in Jackson County, Missouri.
Rastafarians
For Rastafarians, Zion is to be found in Africa, and more specifically in Ethiopia, where the term is also in use. Some Rastas believe themselves to represent the Children of Israel in modern times, and their goal is to repatriate to Africa, or to Zion. Rasta reggae music is peppered with references to Zion. One of the best known examples is the Bob Marley song Zion Train; in recent years, such references have also "crossed over" into popular music, thanks to Soul artists like Lauryn Hill.
Other references
In fiction, Zion is often used as the name for a safe haven or homeland, as in The Matrix films where "Zion" is the last free human city, located deep beneath the surface of Earth.
See also
External links
de:Zion es:Sión id:Zion he:הר ציון lt:Sionas (religija) nl:Zion ja:シオン pl:Syjon pt:Sião ru:Сион