Learn about itLearn onlyHistorical practice
This page describes the practice. There is deliberately no automated reading for it — see the notes below.
Background
Belomancy is the ancient art of divination with arrows, practised at least by Babylonians, Greeks, Arabs and Scythians. The Islamic prayer of istikhara is described as a permitted substitute for arrow divination, which Islam forbade.
How it works
Arrows marked with answers were shaken in a quiver and one drawn, or arrows were shot and their landing read.
At a glance
- Also called
- Bolomancy, Arrow lots
- Traditions
- Babylonian, Ancient Greek, Pre-Islamic Arab, Scythian
- Regions
- Middle East & Persia, Ancient Mediterranean
- You need
- Nothing
- Price
- Free