cult images

Man-made objects that are venerated for the deity or spirit they embody and that are the center of a particular cult or religion. Cult images may be dressed, fed, or paraded in various rituals. Although their meanings overlap, a cult image differs from an "idol" in that it typically is a larger item that is uniquely the focus of a certain religion or cult, often particularly referring to religions of the ancient world. For objects used similarly but containing no images, use "religious objects" or "cult objects." This term is generally used for non-Christian images; for Christian images that are themselves considered sacred, use "icons."