Borulás

Borulás is the act of prostrating oneself before a sacred presence, deity, or authority. It typically involves lowering the upper body toward the ground, either by kneeling and bending at the waist or, in some rituals, by lying flat. The term derives from the Hungarian verb borulni, meaning to fall forward or to fall down, and it is used to describe both literal and symbolic submissions.

In religious contexts, borulás is a common gesture in many Christian traditions. Worshippers may kneel, bow, or prostrate themselves during prayer, adoration, penitence, or during particular moments of liturgy and ritual. The exact form and degree of prostration vary by tradition and local custom. In Catholic and Orthodox practices, borulás can accompany acts of reverence at the altar or during specific prayers, while in other communities it may appear during Holy Week or special ceremonies.

Outside strictly liturgical settings, borulás can be used metaphorically to denote humility or deep respect toward a person, a sacred object, or a cause. It may appear in literary or rhetorical contexts to convey submission or awe.

Historical usage often linked borulás with humility before divine authority or with ceremonial homage in feudal or ceremonial settings. Today, the term remains primarily a description of a physical posture in religious life and in discussions of ritual etiquette, as well as a literary symbol of submission.