Final answer:
Hierophany involves various forms of encountering the divine, including supernatural encounters, mystical experiences, and the revelation of sacred objects within religious rituals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Within the context of religious studies, the definition of hierophany you are looking for is not just the manifestation of the sacred but also can be understood as encompassing various ways in which the divine or supernatural may be experienced or revealed. Specifically, it can refer to an encounter with the supernatural, instances of seeing sacred objects as part of religious rituals, or the mystical experience where one may experience unity or oneness with a deity or the totality of existence. A hierophany often entails a sense of encountering something far greater than oneself, transcending ordinary experiences to reveal a higher dimension of reality, irrespective of whether this encounter is direct or mediated through religious symbols, practices, or objects.