Polytheistic: meaning, definitions and examples
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polytheistic
[ ˌpɒlɪˈθiːɪstɪk ]
religious belief
Polytheistic refers to the belief in or worship of multiple deities, often in a religious context. This belief system is contrastive to monotheism, which involves the worship of a single god. Polytheistic religions typically have a pantheon of gods, each associated with different aspects of life and nature. These deities often have distinct personalities, stories, and attributes, reflecting the diverse nature of human experience and social organization. Ancient civilizations such as those in Greece, Rome, Egypt, and India are well-known for their polytheistic beliefs.
Synonyms
many-god, multiplicitous, mythological
Examples of usage
- The ancient Greeks practiced polytheistic rituals to honor their many gods.
- Polytheistic religions often have a rich mythology associated with their deities.
- Hinduism is one of the world's major polytheistic religions.
- Festivals in polytheistic cultures often celebrate various gods and goddesses.
Translations
Translations of the word "polytheistic" in other languages:
🇵🇹 politeísta
🇮🇳 बहु-देववादी
🇩🇪 polytheistisch
🇮🇩 politeis
🇺🇦 політеїстичний
🇵🇱 politeistyczny
🇯🇵 多神教の
🇫🇷 polythéiste
🇪🇸 politeísta
🇹🇷 çok tanrılı
🇰🇷 다신교의
🇸🇦 وثني
🇨🇿 polyteistický
🇸🇰 polyteistický
🇨🇳 多神论的
🇸🇮 politeističen
🇮🇸 fjölgyðistr
🇰🇿 көп құдайшылық
🇬🇪 ბევრ ღმერთიანობა
🇦🇿 çoxtanrılı
🇲🇽 politeísta
Word origin
The term 'polytheistic' comes from the Greek words 'polus', meaning 'many', and 'theos', meaning 'god'. The concept has been prevalent since ancient times, as many early civilizations wove rich narratives around their various deities. From the polytheistic practices of the Sumerians and Egyptians who worshiped gods associated with nature and societal needs to the complex pantheons of the Greeks and Romans, polytheism shaped the cultural and spiritual landscape of these societies. The term itself began to be used in the English language in the 17th century to describe these transformative belief systems. As scholarship of religion evolved, polytheism was increasingly contrasted with monotheism.