Usage patterns 〈 物もの 〉 を 偶ぐう 像ぞう として 崇すう 拝はい する to worship something as an idol
Ancient people worshipped the sun as an idol.
〈 人ひと 〉 を 偶ぐう 像ぞう として 崇あが める to revere someone as an idol
Many young people revere him as an idol.
偶ぐう 像ぞう を 壊こわ す to smash an idol (e.g. in iconoclasm)
The reformers smashed the idols in the temple.
Kanji 偶 accidentally, even number, couple Related words 偶像 usually denotes a physical statue or image that is worshipped, or a metaphorical figure of devotion, while アイドル refers to a pop star or celebrity admired by fans.
偶像 is the general term for any image or figure that is worshipped, whereas 神像 specifically means a statue or image of a deity.
偶像 covers any worshipped image, religious or secular, while 仏像 refers specifically to a statue of Buddha.
偶像 is the general word for an idol or graven image in any religion, while 本尊 refers specifically to the central object of worship enshrined in a Buddhist temple or altar.
Don't confuse with 銅像 is a bronze statue, usually of a historical or public figure, without necessarily being an object of worship, while 偶像 emphasizes veneration or idealized admiration.
Counted with For statues, figures, dolls, and humanoid robots.
Literary counter for Buddhist statues and images.
Word family· 8 idolization; turning into an idol
idolatry
idolization; treating as an idol
idolatry; idol worship
iconoclasm; image breaking
Show 3 more Show fewer Etymology A Sino-Japanese compound in which 偶 means a human figure, image, or statue and 像 means an image or likeness; together they denote an idol or effigy.
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