graven image
Sculpted worship object
A graven image is an idol or object of worship carved from wood, stone, or metal.
The phrase comes from biblical prohibitions against making images of God or false gods: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
It now appears mostly in religious contexts or when invoking that commandment's spirit against idolatry.
Object of worship
- effigySculpted human representation
- totemSpiritual clan symbol
- fetishIrrational devotion to something
- amuletWorn protective token
figurine · statuette · deity · polytheism · paganism · heathenism · ancestor worship · cult object
Shaped three-dimensional art
- carvingShaping by cutting away
- bas-reliefSculpture projecting slightly
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
- chiselEdged carving implement
bronze · marble · stone · woodcut · casting · molding · craftsmanship · artisan
Cultural or social prohibition
- forbiddenNot allowed
- blasphemyIrreverence toward the sacred
- sacrilegeViolation of the hallowed
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
commandment · idolatry · iconoclasm · covenant · transgression · apostasy · proscription · sin
Sacred ritual table
- shrineSacred devotional place
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- templeSacred worship structure
- offeringsThings presented or given
ritual · incense · prayers · prostration · pilgrimage · libation · sacrifice · ceremony
Attacking revered traditions
- iconoclastAttacker of cherished beliefs
- vandalismWillful property damage
- defacementDamaging an appearance
- smashingBritish slang for excellent
demolition · reformation · desecration · purge · Byzantine · Cromwell · Taliban · zealotry
idol
Object of worship
amulet · figurine · statuette · deity · polytheism · paganism · heathenism · ancestor worship · cult object · false god
sculpture
Shaped three-dimensional art
- carvingShaping by cutting away
- bas-reliefSculpture projecting slightly
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
chisel · bronze · marble · stone · woodcut · casting · molding · craftsmanship · artisan · relief
taboo
Cultural or social prohibition
heresy · commandment · idolatry · iconoclasm · covenant · transgression · apostasy · proscription · sin · abomination
altar
Sacred ritual table
offerings · ritual · incense · prayers · prostration · pilgrimage · libation · sacrifice · ceremony · devotion
iconoclasm
Attacking revered traditions
- iconoclastAttacker of cherished beliefs
- vandalismWillful property damage
- defacementDamaging an appearance
smashing · demolition · reformation · desecration · purge · Byzantine · Cromwell · Taliban · zealotry · protest
- commandmentsTen Commandments, no other gods, honor thy parents, honor parents, no stealing
- Idolatryidol worship, false gods, idol, golden calf, Baal
- Mosaic lawMoses, Mosaic law, Ten Commandments, tablets of stone, commandment
- sacred imagesidol, religious icon, god figure, Christ figure, golden calf
- sacred objectsrelic, relics, reliquaries, reliquary, holy relic
- Biblical IdolsBaal, golden calf, household gods, Beelzebub, idols
graven imagethe Almighty
Supreme divine being
Yahweh · divine presence · God · theophany
image, engrave, engraving, engraved, imagery, engraver, engravings, imager, graven