chief deity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief deity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the primary god or goddess in a particular religion or mythology. Example: "In ancient Greek mythology, Zeus is often regarded as the chief deity of Mount Olympus."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Its chief deity is Yamuna, the Hindu river goddess.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Murugan, chief deity of the ancient Tamils of South India, son of the warrior goddess Korravai.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Their chief deity was the Egyptian storm and desert god, Seth, whom they identified with a Syrian storm god, Hadad.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Zeus, in ancient Greek religion, chief deity of the pantheon, a sky and weather god who was identical with the Roman god Jupiter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sabarimala authorities have said the ban on women is rooted in a centuries-old tradition and is essential to the rites related to the temple's chief deity, Ayyappan.

The Guardian

El, the general term for "deity" in Semitic languages as well as the name of the chief deity of the West Semites.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Analysis of Chief Deities of the Three Races.

Cornell University

Ilmarinen, one of the chief deities in Finno-Ugric religion, functioning both as creator deity and as weather god.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But also included were some of the chief deities connected with the fertility cult, and the mother goddesses played an important role.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In addition to a palace built at Karnak and a memorial temple in western Thebes, both now largely vanished, the chief extant monument of Tutankhamun is the Colonnade of the Temple of Luxor, which he decorated with reliefs depicting the Opet festival, an annual rite of renewal involving the king, the three chief deities of Karnak (Amon, Mut, and Khons), and the local form of Amon at Luxor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

8 This acclaim recognized his rule as constitutional, not "tyrannical". 9 The two chief deities of Sicily; cp.

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing religious or mythological systems, use "chief deity" to clearly identify the most important god or goddess in that pantheon. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity about the deity's significance.

Common error

Avoid using "chief deity" to describe human leaders or figures of authority. While "chief" can refer to a leader, "deity" specifically denotes a divine being. Using the phrase in this context can be confusing or disrespectful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief deity" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that it is grammatically sound and used to identify the most important divine figure in a religious or mythological context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

30%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chief deity" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote the primary god or goddess in a religion or mythology. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While its frequency is uncommon, it is predominantly found in encyclopedic, news, and wiki contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the hierarchical structure of the religious system being discussed and avoid using it to describe human leaders. Alternatives like "principal deity" or "main deity" can be considered for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

principal deity

Replaces "chief" with "principal", emphasizing the foremost rank.

main deity

Substitutes "chief" with "main", denoting the primary or most important deity.

supreme god

Replaces "deity" with "god", specifying a male divine figure, and "chief" with "supreme", indicating the highest authority.

foremost god

Replaces "chief" with "foremost", highlighting the leading position.

primary divinity

Replaces "deity" with "divinity", a more abstract term for a divine being, and "chief" with "primary".

head god

Substitutes "chief" with "head", indicating a position of leadership or control.

ruling deity

Replaces "chief" with "ruling", emphasizing the deity's power and authority.

dominant deity

Substitutes "chief" with "dominant", signifying prevalence and influence.

leading god

Replaces "chief" with "leading", focusing on guidance and direction.

paramount deity

Replaces "chief" with "paramount", stressing the superior status.

FAQs

What does "chief deity" mean?

The term "chief deity" refers to the most important or primary god or goddess in a particular religion or mythology. It denotes the divine figure with the highest rank and influence.

What can I say instead of "chief deity"?

You can use alternatives like "principal deity", "main deity", or "supreme god" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "chief deity" when talking about modern religions?

Yes, "chief deity" can be used when discussing modern religions, provided the religion has a clear hierarchical structure among its divine figures. For monotheistic religions, terms like "God" or "the Supreme Being" are more appropriate.

How do I correctly use "chief deity" in a sentence?

Use "chief deity" to identify the primary divine figure within a specific religious or mythological system. For example: "Zeus is often regarded as the chief deity of the Greek pantheon".