zoolatry

Thân thiện

Definition

Noun: The religious worship or veneration of animals. This practice involves attributing sacred status, divine qualities, or spiritual significance to animals, often as deities, symbols, or intermediaries.

Usage

"Zoolatry" is a formal, academic term used primarily in the fields of anthropology, religious studies, and history. It describes a specific type of belief system or ritual practice found in various cultures, both ancient and modern.

Examples

• The ancient Egyptian practice of zoolatry included the veneration of cats, ibises, and crocodiles.
• Scholars study zoolatry to understand the relationship between early human societies and the natural world.
• Some forms of zoolatry involve the belief that a particular animal is the embodiment of a god.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in contrast to or in comparison with other forms of worship, such as idolatry (worship of idols) or anthropolatry (worship of humans).
• It can be discussed in the context of totemism, where a social group has a spiritual connection to a specific animal or natural object.

Variants and Related Words

• Animal Worship: A more common, descriptive phrase synonymous with zoolatry.
• Theriolatry: A less common synonym with the same meaning.

Synonyms

• Animal worship
• Theriolatry

Word Origin and Notes

The word "zoolatry" is derived from the Greek words zōion (meaning "animal") and -latria (meaning "worship"). It is a specific and technical term, not typically used in everyday conversation.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the worship of animals

Từ đồng nghĩa

• animal-worship