In classical times an oracle was a person who was considered wise and prophetic, gifted with priot knowledge of events due to a divine nature granted to them by the gods.

'Oracle' derives from the latin verb "to speak", and can be used to describe the person who makes predictions, the site of the oracle or even the statements themselves.

In the classical period oracles were considered portals through which gods could speak to man. The most notable oracles of Greek antiquity were Pythia, the priestess to Apollo, and the oracle of Dione and Zeus. Pythia was the only female oracle.

Pythia was the oracle at Delphi, who gave prophecies on the seventh day of the month. Individuals would sacrifice animals to please the oracle, and consult them on important matters.

Pythia exerted considerable influence in the culture, being the highest authority on civil and religious matters in male-dominated ancient Greece. She answered the questions posed to her by citizens, kings, foreigners and philosophers on questions of politics, war, crime, duty, law and even domestic issues.

In ancient India the oracle was an object known as Akashwani or Asariri, and played a key role in many of the events detailed in the Mahabharata and Ramayana. For example Kamsa, the evil uncle of Krishna, was told by an oracle that the eighth son of his stster Devaki would kill him. There are even still existing oracles in India. Messages and advice from the oracle would appear on blank metallic plates.

In Tibetan Buddhism, oracles have always played an important role in both government and religion. In Buddhism the word "oracle" is used to describe the spirit that enters men and women who act as media between the natural and spiritual realms.

The Dalai Lama, who lives in northern India, still consults an oracle, which is considered the official oracle of the Tibetan government. This is a custom which has been going on for centuries.

In Africa, the Igbo people of Nigeria have a long tradition of using oracles. They were usually female priestesses to a particular god, usually living in a cave or other secluded location. The oracles would deliver prophecies to visitors seeking their advice. Even though most Igbos are now Christian, some continue to use oracles.

Oracles are even present in Norse mythology, when Odin took the severed head of god Mimir to Asgard for consultation. They can also be found in Hawaii, where oracles would live in small towers and communicated the will of the gods to the people. Oracles have played an important part in the development of many cultures and religions.