like mecca and medina nyt crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! If you're tackling the New York Times crossword and are stumped by the clue "like mecca and medina", you've come to the right place. We provide all possible answers, complete with explanations, to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "like mecca and medina nyt crossword" by Letter Count
4 Letters
HOLY: Referring to places of profound religious significance, such as Mecca and Medina are within Islam. These cities are revered as spiritual centers.
6 Letters
SACRED: Possessing a special religious character, revered and hallowed, perfectly describing cities like Mecca and Medina. They are considered set apart for worship and pilgrimage.
More About "like mecca and medina nyt crossword"
The clue "like mecca and medina" points to a characteristic shared by these two iconic cities in Saudi Arabia. Both Mecca and Medina hold unparalleled importance in Islam, recognized globally as its holiest cities. Mecca is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the site of the Kaaba, the central structure towards which Muslims worldwide pray. Medina is significant as the place where the Prophet Muhammad established the first Muslim community and where he is buried.
Their historical and religious narratives imbue them with an aura of sanctity and reverence. Millions of Muslims undertake the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, and many also visit Medina. The terms "holy" and "sacred" perfectly encapsulate their status, making them common answers in crosswords when such religious and geographical references are made.
Understanding these cultural and religious nuances is often key to unlocking crossword clues that delve into world knowledge, highlighting how crosswords can be both an entertaining pastime and an educational tool.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Context is Key: For clues referencing specific places or historical figures, think about their primary characteristics or roles. Mecca and Medina immediately bring to mind their religious significance.
- Consider Synonyms: Once you have a preliminary answer like "HOLY", brainstorm its synonyms ("SACRED," "VENERATED," "HALLOWED") to see if another fits the letter count or intersecting letters better.
- Check Letter Count: Always verify the number of letters required for the answer. Many online crossword solvers (including ours!) organize solutions by length, which is a massive time-saver.
- Look at Intersecting Words: The most reliable way to confirm a multi-option answer is by checking how it fits with the letters of words that cross it. This is often the definitive clue.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Mecca and Medina considered 'holy' or 'sacred'?
Mecca is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the site of the Kaaba, the most sacred site in Islam, which all Muslims face during prayer. Medina is where the Prophet Muhammad emigrated to and is buried. Both cities hold immense religious significance as central places of worship and pilgrimage in Islam, thus being considered holy or sacred.
How do crosswords use geographical or religious references?
Crosswords often use geographical locations or religious concepts to clue answers that describe a characteristic of that place or concept. For example, a clue referencing specific holy cities like Mecca and Medina points to answers describing their intrinsic nature, such as 'holy,' 'sacred,' or 'pilgrim destination.' This tests solvers' general knowledge and vocabulary related to world cultures and religions.
What should I do if a crossword clue has multiple possible answers?
When a clue like 'like mecca and medina' has multiple valid answers (e.g., HOLY, SACRED), you should look at the letter count specified for the answer in the puzzle. If no count is given, check the intersecting words you've already filled in. The correct answer will be the one that fits both the letter count and the intersecting letters perfectly. Our site provides answers by letter count to assist with this.