Avatar vs. Persona — What's the Difference?

Avatar (Sanskrit: अवतार, IAST: avatāra; Sanskrit pronunciation: [ɐʋɐtaːrɐ]), is a concept within Hinduism that in Sanskrit literally means "descent". It signifies the material appearance or incarnation of a deity on earth.

A persona (plural personae or personas), depending on the context, can refer to either the public image of one's personality, or the social role that one adopts, or a fictional character. The word derives from Latin, where it originally referred to a theatrical mask.

A manifestation of a deity or released soul in bodily form on earth; an incarnate divine teacher.

The aspect of someone's character that is presented to or perceived by others

An icon or figure representing a particular person in a video game, Internet forum, etc.

Pl. personas The role that one assumes or displays in public or society; one's public image or personality, as distinguished from the inner self.

The incarnation of a Hindu deity, especially Vishnu, in human or animal form.

Pl. per·so·nas or per·so·nae (-nē) The character represented by the voice of the speaker or narrator in a literary work.

An embodiment or manifestation, as of a quality or concept:"Reagan was at his strongest as the avatar of American consensus, peddling a sunny normalcy, a happy-go-lucky and ultimately accommodating attitude"(Gil Troy).

Personae The characters in a dramatic or literary work.

A temporary manifestation or aspect of a continuing entity:occultism in its present avatar.

A social role.

An icon, graphic, or other image by which a person represents himself or herself on a communications network or in a virtual community, such as a chatroom or multiplayer game.

A character played by an actor.

(Hinduism) An incarnation of a deity, particularly Vishnu.

(psychology) The mask or appearance one presents to the world.

The embodiment of an idea or concept; an instantiation#Noun, especially a personification or incarnation#Noun.

An imaginary person representing a particular type of client or customer, considered when designing products and services that will appeal to them.

A complex and dynamic digital representation of a person or being in the form of a digital model, used online as a simulation or emulation of a person, or as a person's online alter ego, in a virtual world, virtual chat room, or metaverse.

An actor's portrayal of someone in a play;

A simple and static or nearly static digital representation of a person or being in the form of a small digital object, used online as a simulacrum or token of a person or that person's online alter ego, in any digital environment but especially in non-virtual, non-metaversal ones.

(Jungian psychology) a personal facade that one presents to the world;

The descent of a deity to earth, and his incarnation as a man or an animal; - chiefly associated with the incarnations of Vishnu.

An incarnation, embodiment or personification of a principle, quality, or attitude; - used of people, mostly in a positive sense as a manifestation of a behavior or character worthy of admiration.

A new personification of a familiar idea;

The manifestation of a Hindu deity (especially Vishnu) in human or superhuman or animal form;