What is "epiphany"

Epiphany \E*piph"a*ny\, n. [F. ['e]piphanie, L. epiphania, Gr. 'epifa`nia (sc. ?), for 'epifa`neia appearance, fr. 'epifai`nein to show forth; 'epi` + fai`nein to show. See Fancy.]

1. An appearance, or a becoming manifest.

   Whom but just before they beheld transfigured and in a glorious epiphany upon the mount.
   --Jer. Taylor.

   An epic poet, if ever such a difficult birth should make its epiphany in Paris.
   --De Quincey.

2. (Eccl.) A church festival celebrated on the 6th of January, the twelfth day after Christmas, in commemoration of the visit of the Magi of the East to Bethlehem, to see and worship the child Jesus; or, as others maintain, to commemorate the appearance of the star to the Magi, symbolizing the manifestation of Christ to the Gentles; Twelfthtide.

early 14c., "festival of the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles" (celebrated Jan. 6; usually with a capital -E-), from Old French epiphanie, from Late Latin epiphania, neuter plural (taken as feminine singular), from late Greek epiphaneia "manifestation, striking appearance, festival held in commemoration of the appearance of a god at some particular place" (in New Testament, "advent or manifestation of Christ"), from epiphanes "manifest, conspicuous," from epiphainein "to manifest, display, show off; come suddenly into view," from epi "on, to" (see epi-) + phainein "to show" (see phantasm). Of divine beings other than Christ, first recorded 1660s; general literary sense of "any manifestation or revelation" appeared 1840, first in De Quincey.

n. 1 A manifestation or appearance of a divine or superhuman being. 2 An illuminating realization or discovery, often resulting in a personal feeling of elation, awe, or wonder. 3 (context Christianity English) Season or time of the Christian church year from the Epiphany feast day to Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday), the day before Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent (See Epiphany).

1. n. a divine manifestation

2. twelve days after Christmas; celebrates the visit of the three wise men to the infant Jesus [syn: Epiphany of Our Lord, Twelfth day, Three Kings' Day, January 6]

An epiphany (from the ancient Greek ἐπιφάνεια, epiphaneia, "manifestation, striking appearance") is an experience of sudden and striking realization. Generally the term is used to describe scientific breakthrough, religious or philosophical discoveries, but it can apply in any situation in which an enlightening realization allows a problem or situation to be understood from a new and deeper perspective. Epiphanies are studied by psychologists and other scholars, particularly those attempting to study the process of innovation.

Epiphanies are relatively rare occurrences and generally follow a process of significant thought about a problem. Often they are triggered by a new and key piece of information, but importantly, a depth of prior knowledge is required to allow the leap of understanding. Famous epiphanies include Archimedes's discovery of a method to determine the density of an object (" Eureka!") and Isaac Newton's realization that a falling apple and the orbiting moon are both pulled by the same force.

Epiphany (; Koine Greek: Ἐπιφάνεια, Epiphaneia, "Manifestation", "striking appearance") or Theophany ( Ancient Greek: (ἡ) Θεοφάνεια, Τheophaneia meaning "Vision of God"), also known as Three Kings' Day, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God in his Son as human in Jesus Christ. In Western Christianity, the feast commemorates principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Christ child, and thus Jesus' physical manifestation to the Gentiles. Moreover, the feast of the Epiphany, in some Western Christian denominations, also initiates the liturgical season of Epiphanytide. Eastern Christians, on the other hand, commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God.

The traditional date for the feast is January 6. However, since 1970, the celebration is held in some countries on the Sunday after January 1. Eastern Churches following the Julian Calendar observe the Theophany feast on what for most countries is January 19 because of the 13-day difference today between that calendar and the generally used Gregorian calendar. In many Western Christian Churches, the eve of the feast is celebrated as Twelfth Night. The Monday after Epiphany is known as Plough Monday.

Alternative names for the feast in Greek include (τα) Θεοφάνια, Theophany as neuter plural rather than feminine singular, η Ημέρα των Φώτων, i Imera ton Foton (modern Greek pronunciation), hē hēmera tōn phōtōn (restored classical pronunciation), "The Day of the Lights", and τα Φώτα, ta Fota, "The Lights".

Epiphany may refer to:

Epiphany is a 1997 mystery novel by British author David Hewson. The story delves between two linear timelines, one in the 1970s the other the 1990s, and explores elements of drugs, murder and quantum physical philosophy.

Epiphany is the second studio album by Christian rapper Manafest. It was released July 19, 2005 under BEC Recordings. The release also marks Manafest's first label album, as well as the start of his long-time affiliation with BEC.

The album contains the single "Skills" featuring Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch.

"Epiphany" is the first single from American soul- R&B singer-songwriter Chrisette Michele's second studio album of the same name, released for airplay on January 27, 2009. It was a R&B top 20 hit and became her most successful single to date. It also marks her first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, where it peaked at #89.

"Epiphany" is episode 16 of season 2 in the television show Angel. Written by Tim Minear and directed by Thomas J. Wright, it was originally broadcast on February 27, 2001 on the WB network. After spending an evening of empty passion with Darla, despite knowing that any moment of true happiness will make him lose his soul, Angel wakes up with his soul intact and realizes that being evil to combat evil is not all it’s cracked up to be. Now, Angel needs to regain the trust of Wesley, Cordelia and Gunn who have been taken hostage by a group of murderous, revenge-seeking Skilosh demons who are looking for human hosts to spread their kin. Meanwhile, a jealous Lindsey learns that Darla has had sex with Angel, and goes looking to kill Angel himself. Also, Kate recovers and sees a new light to her life after Angel saves her from a suicide attempt.

Epiphany is the second studio album by American record producer and recording artist T-Pain. It was released on June 5, 2007, by his record label Nappy Boy Entertainment, distributed by Akon's label Konvict Muzik and Jive Records. The album marks as a first for T-Pain; who launched his own record label Nappy Boy Entertainment. Critics gave the album positive reviews for T-Pain's production and his use of various characters throughout its track listing. Epiphany debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and spawned three singles: " Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')", " Bartender" and " Church".

"Epiphany" is the 131st episode of the ABC television series, Desperate Housewives. It is the twentieth episode of the show's sixth season and was aired on April 25, 2010.

Epiphany is the first studio album by Smooth jazz artist Ian Villafana, released in 2010.