A relic
is an
object or a personal item of
religious
significance
, carefully preserved with
an air of veneration as a
tangible memorial. Relics are an important aspect of some forms of
Buddhism
,
Christianity
,
Hinduism
,
Shamanism
, and many other religions.
The word relic comes from the Latin reliquiae, meaning "remains." A reliquary is a shrine that houses one or more relics.