anagogical
- adjective
- /ˌænəˈɡɑːdʒɪkəl/
- Literature
:
anagógico
- The preacher emphasized the anagogical interpretation of the scripture, exploring its deeper spiritual meaning.
Examples
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When four levels of analysis are used, they follow a sequence of ascent from the historical (or literal) to the allegorical, the tropological (sometimes called the moral), and finally the anagogical (this anagogy not being the same as the anagogy of Pseudo-Dionysian thought).
Academic text (2011) -
A strong theology of the resurrection demonstrates how this openness is graced and redeemed by indicating that this symbolic depth of the body (its analogical and anagogical senses, if you will) has been confirmed by God and fulfilled in the risen Jesus.
Academic text (2006) -
He x-rays a text to trace anagogical bones that support it.
Academic text (1997) -
Many scholars analyze ancient texts for their anagogical insights, revealing the mystical lessons hidden within.
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In studying the poem, she noted its anagogical elements, which suggested a higher spiritual truth beyond the literal words.
Synonyms
1
9.9
Describes a spiritual or mystical reading of texts and events
How Spiritual
Surface Forms
Morphology
anagogical = anagoge (opaque) = anagog + ical
The word 'anagogical' is derived from 'anagoge', which is not a common word in English, making the derivation opaque for most learners.
Etymology
The word anagogical comes from an old Greek word made of ana- 'up' and ago 'lead', so it literally means 'to lead up'. A helpful image is a reading that 'leads you up' from the plain story to a higher, spiritual meaning, which is why anagogical describes interpretations that find hidden religious or spiritual sense.