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heliolatry

Other forms: heliolatries

Heliolatry is the worship of the sun, a practice common in many ancient cultures that saw the sun as a powerful deity.

The word heliolatry combines the Greek root for "sun," helios, with the Greek suffix -latry, meaning "worship." Many ancient cultures, including the ancient Egyptians and the Inca of South America, practiced heliolatry; they believed the sun was a god who controlled life and the seasons. Today, while heliolatry is not common, humans still recognize the importance of the sun as the source of heat and light that enables life on Earth as we know it.

Definitions of heliolatry
  1. noun
    the worship of the sun
    synonyms: sun-worship
    see moresee less
    type of:
    worship
    the activity of worshipping
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