A god is a deity recognized within a religious or mythological tradition. Depending on the tradition, a god may create, govern, embody, or protect some part of existence; receive worship or offerings; appear in narrative; or serve as the focus of philosophical reflection.
| Term | God |
|---|---|
| Field | Religion, mythology, folklore, and theology |
| Meaning | A divine being or power understood within a particular tradition |
| Related distinctions | Deity, goddess, spirit, ancestor, culture hero, and the capitalized name God |
What is a god?
There is no single set of qualities shared by every being translated into English as a god. Some gods are immortal; others can die. Some are creators, while others belong to a world they did not create. A god may rule a broad cosmic domain or remain closely connected to one place, community, occupation, or natural force.
For that reason, folklorists and historians of religion define divine figures in the context of the people who tell stories about them, address them, represent them, or organize ritual life around them.
God and deity
Deity is often used as a broad comparative term for a god, goddess, or other divine being. In ordinary English, god may refer to a male deity, but that gendered usage does not fit every cultural category. Translation can make unlike beings appear more similar than they are.
Capitalized God commonly functions as a proper name or title for the supreme deity in monotheistic traditions. Lowercase god is normally a general category. The difference is grammatical, but it also reflects different religious frameworks.
Gods in myth and worship
A myth may describe a god’s birth, conflicts, relationships, powers, or role in establishing the world. Ritual practice may present another side of the same deity through prayer, festival, sacrifice, pilgrimage, images, or sacred places. A mythological character cannot always be understood from stories alone.
God, spirit, and culture hero
The boundaries among gods, spirits, ancestors, and culture heroes vary. A figure may be understood differently across periods, regions, or communities. A culture hero can shape the human world without being worshipped as a god, while a local spirit may receive offerings without belonging to a formal pantheon.
Related terms
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, “God and Goddess”
- Mircea Eliade, ed., The Encyclopedia of Religion
- David Leeming, The Oxford Companion to World Mythology
Last reviewed: September 2026.