Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):
   • To deify; to apotheosize; to canonize as a god: The primary meaning refers to the formal act of conferring divine status upon a mortal being, spirit, or legendary hero, often through an official decree or ceremonial recognition. This is a concept deeply rooted in mythology and folk religion.
   • To enshrine; to confer a divine title: It involves granting a specific divine rank or title within a celestial hierarchy.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Theo truyền thuyết, Ngọc Hoàng đã phong thần cho nhiều vị tướng có công. (According to legend, the Jade Emperor deified many meritorious generals.)
  • Truyện "Phong Thần Diễn Nghĩa" kể về cuộc chiến và việc phong thần cho các anh hùng. (The novel "Investiture of the Gods" tells of a war and the deification of its heroes.)

Advanced Usage

• "Phong thần" as a Cultural/Historical Concept: The term is central to the Chinese novel "Fengshen Yanyi" (Investiture of the Gods), which describes a mythical war where the victors are appointed to roles in the celestial bureaucracy. In this context, it implies an organized, bureaucratic process of appointing gods.
• Used figuratively in modern contexts: It can be used informally to describe elevating someone to an extremely high, almost god-like status of fame or reverence in a particular field (e.g., sports, arts).
  • Sau trận đấu xuất sắc, người hâm mộ gần như phong thần cho cầu thủ đó. (After the excellent match, fans almost deified that player.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sự phong thần (n): The act of deification; the investiture ceremony.
  • Sự phong thần được thực hiện với nghi lễ long trọng. (The deification was performed with a solemn ceremony.)
• Thần (n): God, deity, spirit.
• Phong (v): To confer, to bestow (a title, rank).

Synonyms

• Deify: To make a god of; to worship as a god.
• Apotheosize: To elevate to divine status; glorify, idealize.
• Canonize (in a religious, though often Christian, context): To officially declare a deceased person a saint.
• Enshrine: To preserve or cherish as sacred.

Related Idioms and Set Phrases

• "Truyện Phong Thần" / "Phong Thần Diễn Nghĩa": Refers specifically to the classic Chinese novel "Investiture of the Gods," which is the primary cultural reference for this term.
• "Được phong thần": To be deified; to achieve a legendary, untouchable status.
  • Với thành tích đó, ông ấy đã được phong thần trong làng điện ảnh. (With that achievement, he was deified in the film industry.)