syncretic
Combining different beliefs
Syncretic describes something that blends elements from different sources—especially religions, philosophies, or cultural traditions—into a unified whole.
Santeria is syncretic, merging West African Yoruba beliefs with Roman Catholicism.
The term can apply beyond religion: a syncretic cuisine combining French and Vietnamese influences.
The noun is syncretism.
Combining parts into whole
- eclecticismCombining from multiple sources
- integrationCombining into a whole
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- harmonizationCreating consistency across systems
dialectic · Neoplatonism · unification · convergence · holism · monism · universalism · amalgamation
Joining into unity
- pasticheImitative artistic tribute
- bricolageConstruction from available materials
- collageAssembled mixed-media artwork
- mash-upBlend of existing works
remix · hybrid · blend · crossover · amalgam · montage · sampling · eclecticism
Pidgin maturing into mother tongue
- hybridityMixed-origin quality
- acculturationAdopting another group's customs
- multiculturalismCoexistence of diverse traditions
- cross-culturalInvolving multiple societies
intercultural · melting-pot · diaspora · cosmopolitan · globalization · Creole · pidgin · assimilation
Movement toward religious unity
- interfaithAcross religious boundaries
- pluralismCoexistence of differing views
- paganismNon-monotheistic religious practice
- SanteriaSyncretic Cuban Yoruba-Catholic religion
Vodou · Greco-Roman · Hellenistic · Gnosticism · Sikhism · universalism · pantheism · mysticism
synthesis
Combining parts into whole
- eclecticismCombining from multiple sources
- integrationCombining into a whole
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
harmonization · dialectic · Neoplatonism · unification · convergence · holism · monism · universalism · amalgamation · systematization
fusion
Joining into unity
- pasticheImitative artistic tribute
- bricolageConstruction from available materials
- collageAssembled mixed-media artwork
mash-up · remix · hybrid · blend · crossover · amalgam · montage · sampling · eclecticism · genre-blending
creolization
Pidgin maturing into mother tongue
- hybridityMixed-origin quality
- acculturationAdopting another group's customs
- multiculturalismCoexistence of diverse traditions
cross-cultural · intercultural · melting-pot · diaspora · cosmopolitan · globalization · Creole · pidgin · assimilation · intermingling
ecumenism
Movement toward religious unity
- interfaithAcross religious boundaries
- pluralismCoexistence of differing views
- paganismNon-monotheistic religious practice
Santeria · Vodou · Greco-Roman · Hellenistic · Gnosticism · Sikhism · universalism · pantheism · mysticism · theology
syncreticorthodox
Conforming to established belief
purist · fundamentalist · sectarian · dogmatic · traditionalist
syncreticpure
Unmixed, without impurities
unmixed · exclusivist · homogeneous · separatist · insular
syncretism, syncretize, syncretist, syncretistic, syncretizing