Shiva
|shi-va|
/ˈʃiːvə/
Destruction and renewal; seven-day mourning
Etymology
'Shiva' (mourning) originates from Hebrew, specifically the word 'shiv'ah', where 'shiv'ah' meant 'seven'. 'Shiva' (the deity) originates from Sanskrit, specifically the word 'Śiva', where 'śiva' meant 'auspicious, gracious'.
'Shiva' (Hebrew) passed into Yiddish and then into English as 'shivah'/'shiva' to denote the seven-day mourning period. 'Śiva' passed from Sanskrit into Prakrit and Middle Indo-Aryan languages and entered English via early Oriental studies and translations as the proper name of the deity.
The Hebrew term initially meant 'seven' and narrowed in English to mean the specific seven-day mourning observance; the Sanskrit term originally meant 'auspicious' or 'gracious' and evolved into the proper name of the god associated with destruction and regeneration.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
in Hinduism, a major deity often regarded as the destroyer and regenerator within the Trimurti (the Hindu trinity).
Many temples are dedicated to Shiva across India.
Synonyms
Noun 2
in Judaism, a seven-day mourning period observed by a bereaved family after the funeral (also spelled "shivah").
The family observed Shiva for seven days after the funeral.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/23 05:44