pagan
Loading your saved state.
pagan
Relating to the polytheistic religions and cultures of antiquity and the pre-Christian period, especially the Germanic, Celtic, Roman, or Greek ones. Followers of these religions are referred to as pagans.
Die Wintersonnenwende war ein wichtiges heidnisches Fest der Germanen.
The winter solstice was an important pagan festival of the Germanic peoples.
The adjective 'heidnisch' (pagan) is derived from the noun 'der Heide' (pagan; plural: die Heiden). A Heide is a person who belongs to a pagan religion.
Historiker erforschen die Lebensweise der alten Heiden.
Historians research the way of life of the ancient pagans.
In its historical meaning, 'heidnisch' (pagan) is often combined with terms such as 'heidnische Götter' (pagan gods), 'heidnische Rituale' (pagan rituals), 'heidnische Bräuche' (pagan customs), or 'heidnische Feste' (pagan festivals).
Viele unserer heutigen Weihnachtsbräuche haben heidnische Wurzeln.
Many of our present-day Christmas customs have pagan roots.
The historical meaning (m01) can be recognized through connections with ancient or pre-Christian topics. The figurative meaning (m02) often describes a modern, non-religious lifestyle from a critical, religious perspective and is less common.
Archäologen fanden eine alte heidnische Kultstätte.
Archaeologists found an old pagan cult site.
The use of 'heidnisch' (pagan) in the sense of 'ungläubig' (godless / unbelieving) or 'nicht-religiös' (non-religious) can today be perceived as outdated or derogatory. It is mostly used only in a very conservative or ironic context.
Er nannte unseren Konsum am Black Friday mit einem Augenzwinkern ein „heidnisches Ritual“.
With a wink, he called our Black Friday consumption a 'pagan ritual.'
Christian
'christlich' and 'heidnisch' can express a religious contrast. 'christlich' refers to Christianity, its teachings, culture, or followers. 'heidnisch' often refers to pre-Christian or non-Christian religions, especially from antiquity or old Germanic and Celtic cultures. In historical texts, the contrast is especially clear: Christian customs on one side, pagan customs on the other. You should use 'heidnisch' carefully because, depending on the context, it can sound judgmental.
Im Museum sahen wir Schmuck aus einer heidnischen Kultur.
At the museum, we saw jewelry from a pagan culture.
Das Dorf hat eine alte christliche Kirche im Zentrum.
The village has an old Christian church in the center.