In ancient Greek religion, a hierophant was a high priest who revealed sacred objects during the Eleusinian Mysteries. In a broader sense, the hierophant is any mediator of the sacred—a guru, a prophet, a saint. In poetry, the poet can take on the role of the hierophant, using words to unveil hidden spiritual truths to the reader. The hierophant figure symbolizes the need for guidance, initiation, and the transmission of wisdom from one who has seen to those who seek to see.

The Hierophant (from Greek “revealer of sacred things”) interprets mystery—like the Pope, a shaman, or Kabbalist; in Tarot, the card represents tradition and spiritual teaching; poets may cast themselves as hierophants, translating the ineffable into image and rhythm for the uninitiated seeker.