Incarnation

Incarnation refers to the embodiment of a divine or transcendent reality in a living being. The term derives from Latin incarnatio, from incarnare "to make flesh." In religious and philosophical discourse, it denotes claims that a non-physical essence takes on a physical presence, or that a soul animates a succession of bodies across time.

In Hinduism, the term avatar describes gods taking mortal form to fulfill cosmic purposes; the soul (atman) migrates through many lives (samsara) due to karma. Buddhism teaches rebirth without an enduring self, a stream of causally connected phenomena. Jainism likewise teaches transmigration of jivas governed by karma. In Christianity, incarnation denotes God the Son becoming fully human in Jesus Christ, a unique salvific event. Islam generally rejects reincarnation. Sikhism emphasizes liberation from the cycle through devotion to God, highlighting ethical living and remembrance.

Philosophical distinctions: Christian incarnation refers to the union of divine and human natures in one person. Reincarnation or transmigration describes the passing of a soul into new bodies across cycles, often without divine intervention. Buddhism uses rebirth without a permanent self, contrasting with Hindu or Jain notions of an enduring jiva or atman.

In philosophy and cognitive science, incarnation raises questions about personal identity, continuity of consciousness, and moral responsibility across lives.

Culturally, the idea appears in theology, mysticism, literature, and popular culture, often used metaphorically to denote embodiment of a principle in a person or object. Criticism includes concerns about empirical evidence and logical coherence.