iconization
Making something symbolic
Iconization is the process of turning someone or something into an icon—elevating a person, image, or idea to symbolic or revered status.
A musician undergoes iconization when their image transcends their work to represent an entire era or movement.
The term appears in cultural criticism and media studies: the iconization of celebrity, the iconization of the American flag.
Uncritical excessive admiration
- adulationExtravagant, servile praise
- worshipReligious reverence and praise
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- adorationProfound loving regard
reverence · fanaticism · obsession · cult · fandom · idolater · deification · fetishization
Peak or deification
- exaltationIntense joyful elevation
- enshrinementFormal preservation as sacred
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
- elevationHeight above reference point
lionization · immortalization · aggrandizement · tribute · honoring · acclaim · praise · homage
Celebrity status achieved
- famePublic recognition, widespread
- celebrityWidely recognized public figure
- popularityMass public favor
- starLuminous astronomical object
phenomenon · figurehead · trendsetter · influence · charisma · superstar · luminary · personality
hero-worship
Uncritical excessive admiration
- adulationExtravagant, servile praise
- worshipReligious reverence and praise
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
adoration · reverence · fanaticism · obsession · cult · fandom · idolater · deification · fetishization · glorification
apotheosis
Peak or deification
- exaltationIntense joyful elevation
- enshrinementFormal preservation as sacred
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
elevation · lionization · immortalization · aggrandizement · tribute · honoring · acclaim · praise · homage · canonization
stardom
Celebrity status achieved
- famePublic recognition, widespread
- celebrityWidely recognized public figure
- popularityMass public favor
star · phenomenon · figurehead · trendsetter · influence · charisma · superstar · luminary · personality · renown
emblem
Representational sign or device
- symbolRepresentational mark or sign
- representationDepiction or likeness
- signifierMeaning-bearing form
motif · archetype · totem · badge · insignia · hallmark · token · image · pictogram · ideogram
iconizationobscurity
State of being unknown
anonymization · oblivion · forgetting · erasure · marginalization
iconizationdemonization
Casting as evil
vilification · iconoclasm · desecration · defamation · delegitimization
iconizationdemythologization
Removing supernatural from narratives
normalization · trivialization · humanization · commodification · genericization
icon, icons, iconic, iconically, iconize, iconized, iconoclast, iconoclasm, iconoclastic