transfigurations
Complete form alterations
Transfigurations are dramatic changes in form or appearance, especially ones that elevate or glorify the subject.
The word carries religious weight from the Transfiguration of Christ, when Jesus's appearance became radiantly luminous on a mountaintop.
Outside religious contexts, transfigurations suggest profound transformations that reveal something essential or transcendent: The sunset's transfigurations of the ordinary landscape left us speechless.
The term implies change that goes beyond mere alteration to something approaching revelation.
Change of underlying substance
- resurrectionRevival from death
- ascensionMovement to higher position
- theophanyVisible appearance of deity
- glorificationElevating praise or worship
beatification · revelation · epiphany · miracle · sanctification · salvation · redemption · apocalypse
Transforming into other beings
- transmutationComplete change of form
- enchantmentMagical influence over someone
- spellArrange letters correctly
- sorceryPractice of dark magic
conjuration · glamour · bewitchment · polymorph · thaumaturgy · illusion · incantation · witchcraft
Thorough change in form
- conversionAct of changing states
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- alterationAct of modifying
- transitionChange from one state
evolution · reformation · restructuring · remodeling · shift · modification · overhaul · reinvention
Thorough change in form
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- morphogenesisDevelopmental shape emergence
- transmutationComplete change of form
- chrysalisPupal casing for metamorphosis
cocoon · caterpillar · pupa · larva · tadpole · molting · emergence · lifecycle
Complete change of form
- philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
- magnum opusCreator's supreme achievement
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
- base metalsNon-precious metallic elements
lead into gold · elixir · crucible · alembic · hermeticism · sulfur · mercury · salt
Shaped three-dimensional art
- installationProcess of putting in
- before-and-afterPaired images showing change
- makeoverComplete appearance overhaul
- restorationReturning something to condition
reimagining · adaptation · reinterpretation · portrait · altarpiece · iconography · triptych · Raphael
transubstantiation
Change of underlying substance
- resurrectionRevival from death
- ascensionMovement to higher position
- theophanyVisible appearance of deity
glorification · beatification · revelation · epiphany · miracle · sanctification · salvation · redemption · apocalypse · messiah
shapeshifting
Transforming into other beings
- transmutationComplete change of form
- enchantmentMagical influence over someone
- spellArrange letters correctly
sorcery · conjuration · glamour · bewitchment · polymorph · thaumaturgy · illusion · incantation · witchcraft · charm
transformation
Thorough change in form
- conversionAct of changing states
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- alterationAct of modifying
transition · evolution · reformation · restructuring · remodeling · shift · modification · overhaul · reinvention · renewal
transformation
Thorough change in form
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- morphogenesisDevelopmental shape emergence
- transmutationComplete change of form
chrysalis · cocoon · caterpillar · pupa · larva · tadpole · molting · emergence · lifecycle · evolution
transmutation
Complete change of form
- philosopher's stoneLegendary substance enabling transmutation
- magnum opusCreator's supreme achievement
- quintessencePurest embodiment of something
base metals · lead into gold · elixir · crucible · alembic · hermeticism · sulfur · mercury · salt · alchemist
sculpture
Shaped three-dimensional art
- installationProcess of putting in
- before-and-afterPaired images showing change
- makeoverComplete appearance overhaul
restoration · reimagining · adaptation · reinterpretation · portrait · altarpiece · iconography · triptych · Raphael · Renaissance
transfigurationstweaks
Minor modifications
fine-tuning · touch-ups · refinements · adjustments · tinkering
transfigurationsdegradations
Declines in condition
disfigurements · corruptions · debasements · deformations · defacements
transfigurationsstasis
State of inactivity
preservation · constancy · immutability · unchangingness · fixity