epiphany

[ ih-pif-uh-nee ]

noun

, plural e·piph·a·nies.

1. (initial capital letter) a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth-day.
2. an appearance or manifestation, especially of a deity.
3. a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
4. a literary work or section of a work presenting, usually symbolically, such a moment of revelation and insight.

epiphany

¹

/ ˌɛpɪˈfænɪk; ɪˈpɪfənɪ /

noun

1. the manifestation of a supernatural or divine reality
2. any moment of great or sudden revelation

Epiphany

²

/ ɪˈpɪfənɪ /

noun

1. a Christian festival held on Jan 6, commemorating, in the Western Church, the manifestation of Christ to the Magi and, in the Eastern Church, the baptism of Christ

Epiphany

1. A festival in Christianity celebrating the visit of the Wise Men to the infant Jesus . Epiphany means “a showing forth” — in this case a showing forth of Jesus to the Gentiles .

Derived Forms

• epiphanic, adjective

Other Words From

• ep·i·phan·ic [ep-, uh, -, fan, -ik], e·pipha·nous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of epiphany¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English epiphanie, from Late Latin epiphanīa, from Late Greek epipháneia, from Greek: “apparition,” equivalent to epi- epi- ( def ) + phan- (stem of phaínein “to appear”) + -eia -y ³( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of epiphany¹

C17: via Church Latin from Greek epiphaneia an appearing, from epi- + phainein to show

Example Sentences

Albin’s epiphany in “I Am What I Am” is simple yet profound: He wants neither praise nor pity, but only to be seen as his “own special creation.”

From Los Angeles Times

YANGJU, South Korea — In the late 1970s, before he became a television star and a household name in South Korea, Im Chae-moo was working as an extra when he had an epiphany.

From Los Angeles Times

She has an epiphany about her own ambitiousness, the apple not falling far from the tree.

From Los Angeles Times

She also points to an epiphany she had a quarter century ago, when she went to a Yankees game and sat in the bleachers.

From Los Angeles Times

As the escalating pressure mounts, he has a cathartic meltdown and several epiphanies that are fun to watch.

From Salon

Related Words

• flash
• insight
• inspiration
• realization
• vision

What Is The Feast Of The Epiphany?

What is the Feast of the Epiphany?

The Feast of the Epiphany (often simply called Epiphany) is a Christian holiday. In the Western Church, it celebrates the revelation of Jesus as the Christ (the prophesied Messiah or Savior) to the Magi (popularly known as the three wise men) and to all Gentiles (non-Jews).

In the Eastern Church, the Epiphany commemorates the baptism of Jesus and the revelation of his divinity.

The Feast of the Epiphany is considered the twelfth and final day of the Christmas celebration.

For this reason, it is sometimes called Twelfth Day.

Many Christians observe the Epiphany as the end of the Christmas season and it is traditional to leave up Christmas decorations until this day.

In some places, the Feast of the Epiphany is considered to mark the start of Carnival season—the period of feasting and merriment before Lent.

When is the Feast of the Epiphany?

The Feast of the Epiphany is commonly observed on January 6. In some branches of the Eastern Church, it is celebrated on January 19. In either case, it is observed 12 days after Christmas.

More information and context on the Feast of the Epiphany

The word epiphany can be used in a general way to refer to “an appearance or manifestation, especially of a deity,” and this is what the Feast of the Epiphany commemorates. It is among the oldest Christian holidays.

The Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated in different ways around the world, including with special cakes. In some places, people exchange gifts on Epiphany rather than Christmas.

What are some terms that often get used in discussing the Feast of the Epiphany?

• Twelfth Day
• Twelfth Night
• Magi
• Christmas
• baptism
• divinity
• Advent
• Candlemas
• Mardi Gras
• carnival
• Lent

How is the Feast of the Epiphany discussed in real life?

The Feast of the Epiphany is observed by many Christians as the end of the Christmas season. It is traditional to take down Christmas decorations on the day.

In Italy, however, today we celebrate the Second Sunday of Christmas because we will have the feast of the Epiphany on the 6th. The Epiphany is a public holiday in our country.

— Friar Mario Conte (@FriarMario) January 2, 2022

OMG! It's the day after the Feast of the Epiphany and I have not packed away the Christmas decorations! Serious etiquette failure!

— Ben Hider (@benhider) January 7, 2011

For everyone who dreads taking down the Christmas tree, remember that we're in the twelve days of Christmas until Epiphany on January 6th, so you have plenty of time to lay about and enjoy it✨

— 𝔽𝕣𝕖𝕪𝕒'𝕤 𝕊𝕙𝕚𝕖𝕝𝕕𝕞𝕒𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕟 (@_desert_bones) December 26, 2021

 

Try using the Feast of the Epiphany!

True or False?

The Feast of the Epiphany is considered the twelfth day of the Christmas celebration.