A blessing (from to bless, Old English bleodsian or bletsian) originally meant "sprinkling with blood" during the pagan sacrifices, the Blóts (reference: AHD).

A blessing, (also used to refer to bestowing of such) is the infusion of something with holiness, divine will, or one's hopes. Within Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Anglicanism and similar traditions, formal blessings of the church are performed by bishops, priests, and sometimes deacons, but as in many other religions, anyone may formally bless another.

A curse, at least in its most formal sense, is the opposite of a blessing. Blessing is similar to charm.

In the Bible, blessings and curses are related; the book of Deuteronomy prescribes that obedience to the Torah brings God's blessing, while disobedience brings a curse. The Priestly Blessing is set forth at Numbers 6:24-26:

May the LORD bless you, and keep you;

May the LORD make his face shine to upon you, and be gracious to you;

May the LORD turn his countenance to you and grant you peace.

This formula has been introduced into Christian worship as well. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus pronounces blessings on the poor, the humble, and the persecuted in the Beatitudes at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.

Blessing can also be a request for permission, as in "gaining your parents' blessing" would consist of having been granted consent.

In Spanish, there is a blessing which can be used as a tender farewell, especially from a parent: Vaya con Dios (Go with God), also Adios (A Dios, to God), French Adieu.

Blessing is also a term used for marriage in the Unification Church

See also

• List of Jewish Prayers and Blessings
• Benediction

Religious behaviour and experience

Segen | Õnnistus | ברכה | Zegen | Błogosławieństwo