hierophant

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hierophant

/ˈhaɪəɹəˌfænt/
/ˈhaɪɹəˌfænt/

Where it comes from

From Latin hierophanta, from Ancient Greek ἱεροφάντης (hierophántēs), from ἱερός (hierós, “holy”) + φαίνω (phaínō, “I show, make known”).

noun hierophants · hierophantes

An ancient Greek priest who interpreted sacred mysteries, especially the priest of the Eleusinian Mysteries. The exhibition of ancient statues, relics, and symbols, concealed from daily adoration (as in the Catholic festivals of this day), probably, made a main duty of the Hierophant.
An interpreter of sacred mysteries or arcane knowledge. Poets are the hierophants of an unapprehended inspiration; the mirrors of the gigantic shadows which futurity casts upon the present; the words which express what they understand not; the trumpets which sing to battle and feel not what they inspire; the influence which is moved not, but moves. Poets
One who explains or makes a commentary.

Translations

Every language

noun ancient Greek priest

Español	hierofante
日本語	聖師 seishi, shōshi
Português	hierofante
Français	hiérophante
Deutsch	Hierophant
Italiano	ierofante, ierofanta
Ελληνικά	ιεροφάντης ierofántis
Română	hierofant
Русский	иерофа́нт ijerofánt

noun interpreter of sacred mysteries

Français	hiérophante

noun one who explains or makes a commentary

Français	hiérophante

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MLA

"hierophant." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/hierophant. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

hierophant. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/hierophant

Chicago

"hierophant." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/hierophant.

BibTeX

@misc{hierophant_2026,
  title = {hierophant},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/hierophant},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}