avatar
Online visual identity
An avatar is a digital representation of a person in virtual spaces—video games, chat rooms, social media.
Users customize avatars to represent themselves or create alternate identities: My avatar has purple hair and wings.
The word comes from Hindu mythology, where an avatar is the earthly incarnation of a deity, particularly Vishnu descending to earth in human or animal form.
This religious sense persists in discussions of Hinduism and occasionally in figurative use for someone who perfectly embodies a quality: He was the avatar of cool.
Concrete manifestation of idea
- manifestationOutward display of something
- personificationAttributing humanity to non-humans
- symbolRepresentational mark or sign
- iconPictorial screen symbol
figure · stand-in · proxy · representation · alter ego · persona · digital twin · self-expression
Original model for copies
- simulacrumImitative stand-in for reality
- essenceFundamental nature of something
- selfOne's own being
- identityWho someone is
projection · mask · authenticity · representation · virtuality · embodiment · presence · abstraction
Hindu deity of preservation
- KrishnaEighth avatar of Vishnu
- RamaVishnu's seventh incarnation
- deityWorshipped supernatural being
- descentDownward slope or lineage
manifestation · Buddha · divine · dharma · cosmic · sacred · Garuda · lotus
Side-facing outline
- usernameAccount identification string
- gamertagPlayer's online identity
- screen nameOnline identity alias
- handlePart for gripping
online identity · profile picture · display name · user icon · social media · forum · chat · multiplayer
Mythological first woman
- Na'viFictional blue-skinned species
- bansheeDeath-foretelling Irish spirit
- bioluminescentEmitting light through biology
- unobtaniumFictional ideal substance
James Cameron · motion capture · 3D · sequel · blue · alien · indigenous · colonialism
Body's outer layer
- outfitSet of clothes worn together
- hairstyleArranged head covering
- accessoriesSupplementary items or adornments
- wardrobeGarment storage furniture
cosmetics · tattoos · emotes · armor · weapons · clothing · appearance · personalization
embodiment
Concrete manifestation of idea
- manifestationOutward display of something
- personificationAttributing humanity to non-humans
- symbolRepresentational mark or sign
icon · figure · stand-in · proxy · representation · alter ego · persona · digital twin · self-expression · identity
archetype
Original model for copies
- simulacrumImitative stand-in for reality
- essenceFundamental nature of something
- selfOne's own being
identity · projection · mask · authenticity · representation · virtuality · embodiment · presence · abstraction · symbol
Vishnu
Hindu deity of preservation
descent · manifestation · Buddha · divine · dharma · cosmic · sacred · Garuda · lotus
profile
Side-facing outline
- usernameAccount identification string
- gamertagPlayer's online identity
- screen nameOnline identity alias
handle · online identity · profile picture · display name · user icon · social media · forum · chat · multiplayer · MMO
Pandora
Mythological first woman
- Na'viFictional blue-skinned species
- bansheeDeath-foretelling Irish spirit
- bioluminescentEmitting light through biology
James Cameron · unobtanium · motion capture · 3D · sequel · blue · alien · indigenous · colonialism · environment
skin
Body's outer layer
- outfitSet of clothes worn together
- hairstyleArranged head covering
- accessoriesSupplementary items or adornments
wardrobe · cosmetics · tattoos · emotes · armor · weapons · clothing · appearance · personalization · unlockable
- social mediaposts, post, influencer status, followers, tweet
- customizationcustomize, customizing, personalize, personalizing, custom
- Online Accountsemail account, password, username, login, profile
- online presencewebsite, profile, homepage, account, page
- profile picturesprofile picture, selfie, headshot, user icon, portrait
- screen elementsbutton, icon, menu, cursor, toolbar
avatarreal self
Authentic core identity
authentic self · physical self · flesh and blood · legal identity · true form
- digital avatarsVirtual user representations
- anime avatarJapanese-animated profile image
- default avatarPreset user image
- gaming avatarDigital persona in games
- cartoon avatarDrawn representation online
- virtual avatarGraphical user representation online