As nouns the difference between hierophant and heirophant
is that hierophant is an ancient greek priest who interpreted sacred mysteries, especially the priest of the (w) while heirophant is .
hierophant
Noun
(
en noun)
An ancient Greek priest who interpreted sacred mysteries, especially the priest of the (w).
An interpreter of sacred mysteries or arcane knowledge.
One who explains or makes a commentary.
Quotations
*1837': 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 . — Edward Bulwer-Lytton, ''Athens: Its Rise and Fall, 1837
*1894': Thus I became the '''hierophant of those three worthy and talented men, who, in spite of their literary accomplishments, were not wise, since they were infatuated with occult and fabulous sciences, and believed in the existence of phenomena impossible in the moral as well as in the physical order of things. — Arthur Machen, translation of ''Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1894.
*1975': Ambassadors of northern countries stand / Impassive while our '''hierophants intone / Long canticles of Christ the Contraband: / Our grandees' hearts are shrunk to kidney stones. — Peter Porter, in 'Baroque Quatrains Dedicated to James Fenton', in ''Living in a Calm Country, 1975
*1987': No, I must play creator / And make them up, these '''hierophants . — Peter Porter, in 'A Tribute to my enemies', in ''The Automatic Oracle, 1987
Derived terms
*hierophantic
*hierophantically
Related terms
* hierophany
See also
*Hieromnemon
