Theophany (Ancient Greek: θεοφάνεια, romanized: theopháneia, lit. 'appearance of a deity') is an encounter with a deity that manifests in an observable and tangible form. It is often confused with other types of encounters with a deity, but these interactions are not considered theophanies unless the deity reveals itself in a visible form. Traditionally, the term "theophany" was used to refer to appearances of the gods in ancient Greek and Near Eastern religions. While the Iliad is the earliest source for descriptions of theophanies in classical antiquity, the first description appears in the Epic of Gilgamesh.

In numerous creation stories, a deity or deities speak with many kinds of animals, often prior to the formation of dry land on earth.

The term theophany derives from the Ancient Greek word θεοφάνεια (theopháneia), meaning "appearance of a god", from (Ancient Greek: θεός theós "divinity", and phainein (φαίνειν, "to show" or "to appear"). In classical usage, it referred to visible appearances of deities to humans, especially in mythological contexts. These could be in anthropomorphic form or as other phenomena—light, fire, or cloud—and often served to affirm the deity's favor, deliver a message, or enact divine will. Similarly, in the Hebrew Bible and related literature, theophanies are often characterized by awe-inspiring phenomena such as thunder, fire, clouds, or bright light.

In modern academic usage, "theophany" is used across religious traditions to describe any tangible manifestation of a deity in a form accessible to human perception, especially visual. It is distinct from terms like divine inspiration, revelation, or incarnation, which refer to different types of religious experience. If the divine presence is expressed more broadly without being tied to a specific deity, the term hierophany may be preferred.

Theophany played a prominent role in the mythological and ritual life of many ancient cultures. These manifestations of deities were understood not only as mythic narratives but also as real interventions into the world, often forming the basis of cultic practices, political legitimacy, or sacred geography. In ancient literature, theophanies frequently mark the establishment of divine authority or the commissioning of heroic or prophetic figures.

One of the earliest literary examples of a theophany occurs in the Epic of Gilgamesh, in which dreams and signs from the gods shape the journey of the hero. In Mesopotamian religion, divine appearances were often mediated through symbolic forms rather than direct anthropomorphic encounters. These included dreams, omens, celestial phenomena, or the interpretation of sacrificial entrails (extispicy), which were understood as messages from the gods.

Dreams held a privileged place as vehicles of divine communication. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, both Gilgamesh and Enkidu receive dreams interpreted as divine guidance or warning. Similarly, in the Atrahasis myth, the god Enki communicates with the hero through a wall-dream to warn of the impending flood.

Sacred statues were also considered theophanic, not merely symbolic. The cult image (ṣalmu) of a deity, once ritually enlivened in ceremonies such as the mouth-washing ritual (mīs pî), was believed to embody the living presence of the god. These statues could be carried into battle, consulted for oracles, or housed in temples where their "appearance" through ritual unveiling was part of public theophanic experience.