Nota: A tradução desta entrada está atualmente em revisão de qualidade, portanto parte do conteúdo é exibida temporariamente apenas em inglês.
Este verbete ainda não foi traduzido para o seu idioma, portanto o original é exibido abaixo.
eidolon
Eidolon is a highly formal, literary, and archaic term. It is rarely used in everyday conversation and is almost exclusively found in poetry, classical literature, or specialized fantasy settings. Using it in a casual context would appear pretentious or out of place.
When referring to a phantom, it suggests something more ethereal or symbolic than a standard ghost. While a ghost is often a lingering spirit of a dead person, an eidolon is frequently an apparition that represents a concept or a shimmering, unstable image.
In its psychological or philosophical sense, it describes an ideal that is unattainable. Unlike an ideal, which can be a goal to strive for, an eidolon often carries a nuance of illusion or a deceptive mental image—something that looks perfect but lacks substance or reality. This creates a sense of longing mixed with the realization that the object of desire is a fabrication.
Meanings
Examples
He spent his life chasing the eidolon of a perfect society.
She realized her love was merely an eidolon of the woman she once knew.
The poet wrote of an eidolon that represented absolute beauty.
A pale eidolon drifted through the corridors of the ruined castle.
The summoner called forth a towering eidolon to defend the city.
Is this a real person or just some shimmering eidolon of my imagination?
Is this a real person or just some shimmering eidolon of my imagination?
The ancient text describes an eidolon that guards the gates of the underworld.