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Hierophantic

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.03 sec.
hi·er·o·phant  (hr--fnt, hr-, h-r-fnt)
n.
1. An ancient Greek priest who interpreted sacred mysteries, especially the priest of the Eleusinian mysteries.
2. An interpreter of sacred mysteries or arcane knowledge.
3. One who explains or makes a commentary.

[Late Latin hierophanta, from Greek hierophants : hieros, holy; see eis- in Indo-European roots + -phants, one who shows (from phainein, phan-, to show; see bh-1 in Indo-European roots).]

hier·o·phantic adj.


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The notion of Ficino as a self-styled prophetic, hierophantic figure fits not only within the world of active intellectuals in early modern Europe (Giovanni Mercurio da Correggio and Savonarola come to mind as do transalpine figures like Jan of Leiden), but more specifically in the context of millenarian Florence at the at the end of the Quattrocento.
Able to dispense mercy, presidents can bring down the apocalypse; at bottom, the presidency is hierophantic and tinted with regality, a truth partly captured in FDR's hyperbolic likening of his administration to Christ's driving the moneychangers from the temple.
But, from Bert Lahr and Ed Wynn through Bob Hope and Jack Benny to Robin Williams and Bob "The Bobcat" Goldthwaite, the art has a secret, hierophantic lineage.
 
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