demigod

thumb|upright=1.25|"Cú Chulainn|Cuchulain Slays the [[Hound of Culain", illustration by Stephen Reid from Eleanor Hull's ''The Boys' Cuchulain, 1904]]

In polytheistic religions and mythologies, a demigod or demigoddess is a being that is half-divine and half-human, born of a deity and a human, or a human or non-human creature that is accorded divine status after death, or someone who has attained the "divine spark" (divine illumination). An immortal demigod often has tutelary status and a religious cult following, while a mortal demigod is one who has fallen or died, but is popular as a legendary hero. Figuratively, the term is used to describe a person whose talents or abilities are so elevated that they appear to approach divinity.