Water is a common chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of life. The substance has a solid state called ice, and a gaseous state known as water vapor or steam. Water covers 71% of the Earth’s surface. It has many distinct properties critical for the proliferation of life that set it apart from other substances. It carries out this role by allowing organic compounds to react in ways that ultimately allow replication. All known forms of life depend on water. Much of the universe’s water is produced as a byproduct of star formation. When stars are born, their birth is accompanied by a strong outward wind of gas and dust. When this outflow of material eventually impacts the surrounding gas, the shock waves that are created compress and heat the gas. The water observed is quickly produced in this warm dense gas.

Holy water is water that has been blessed and set apart for baptism. It is also used as a sacrament. Holy water is kept in the font, the church furnishing used for baptisms, which is typically located at the entrance to the church. Its location at the entrance serves as a reminder of the centrality of baptism as the primary rite of initiation into the Christian faith. As a reminder of baptism, Roman Catholics dip their fingers in the holy water and make the sign of the cross when entering the church. An aspergill or aspergillum is a brush or branch used to sprinkle the water. An aspersorium is the vessel which holds the holy water and into which the aspergillum is dipped. Salt may be added to the water where it is customary.

In Catholicism, holy water, as well as water used during the washing of the priest’s hands at mass, is not allowed to be disposed of in regular plumbing. Roman Catholic churches will usually have a special basin that leads directly into the earth for the purpose of proper disposal. A hinged lid is kept over the holy water basin to distinguish it from a regular sink basin, which is often just beside it. Items that contain holy water are separated, drained of the holy water, and then washed in a regular manner.

In Ancient Greek religion, a holy water called chernips was created when extinguishing in it a torch from a religious shrine. Many Muslims believe that water from the The Well of Zamzam in Mecca is divinely blessed. It is also believed to have supernatural properties. The Sikhs prepare holy water, which is called amrit, and used in a ritual Sikh baptism. Hindus believe that the water from the river Ganges is holy.