Heaven vs. Sky — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 6, 2023
"Heaven" typically refers to a religious or spiritual realm. "Sky" refers to the expanse over the earth visible when one looks upward. The former often denotes a place of afterlife or divinity, while the latter is a physical, observable entity.
Difference Between Heaven and Sky
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Heaven is commonly understood as a spiritual or divine realm that is associated with gods, angels, and the afterlife. It's perceived as a peaceful and often idyllic place where souls might go after death, based on various religious and spiritual beliefs.
Conversely, the sky is a tangible, visible entity that forms part of our earthly environment. The sky can be observed by looking upward during the day or night, presenting a view of clouds, the sun, the moon, stars, and other celestial entities.
Heaven, in many cultural narratives, is a place of eternal peace and rest. In Christianity, it's perceived as a paradise where devout believers go after death. It's a concept that is pivotal in various religious and spiritual ideologies and philosophies.
In contrast, the sky is not an abstract or philosophical concept but a physical part of our world. It encompasses the atmosphere and outer space as observed from Earth. Meteorological phenomena like rain, sunshine, and storms happen in the sky.
The concept of heaven might vary widely among different cultures and religions, but it generally embodies a state or place of perfect, serene existence, often beyond our physical world. It can symbolize hope, comfort, or a future reward in many narratives.
ADVERTISEMENT
The sky is omnipresent and can be studied and explained scientifically. It is divided into different layers with varied characteristics and hosts various weather phenomena. The sky is crucial for various practical aspects like aviation, astronomy, and meteorology.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Spiritual/Divine realm
Physical entity
Tangibility
Abstract, non-tangible
Tangible, visible
Association
Often associated with afterlife or divinity
Associated with weather, astronomy
Basis
Religious/spiritual beliefs
Scientific study
Manifestation in Literature
Symbolizes peace, afterlife
Described in literal or metaphoric way
Compare with Definitions
Heaven
A place regarded in various religions as the abode of God and the angels.
Christians believe that virtuous souls go to Heaven after death.
Sky
The expanse of air over the earth’s surface.
The sky is clear and blue today.
Heaven
A state of being eternally in the presence of God after death.
She prayed every night for her grandma, who was in Heaven.
Sky
Used to indicate a high degree or extreme limit.
Prices have gone sky-high.
Heaven
Heaven or the heavens, is a common religious cosmological or transcendent supernatural place where beings such as gods, angels, spirits, saints, or venerated ancestors are said to originate, be enthroned, or reside. According to the beliefs of some religions, heavenly beings can descend to Earth or incarnate and earthly beings can ascend to Heaven in the afterlife or, in exceptional cases, enter Heaven alive.
Sky
The sky is everything that lies above the surface of the Earth, including the atmosphere and outer space. In the field of astronomy, the sky is also called the celestial sphere.
Heaven
Often heavens The sky or universe as seen from the earth; the firmament.
Sky
The expanse of air over any given point on the earth; the upper atmosphere as seen from the earth's surface.
Heaven
Often Heaven The abode of God, the angels, and the souls of those who are granted salvation.
Sky
Often skies The appearance of the upper atmosphere, especially with reference to weather
Threatening skies portend a storm.
Heaven
An eternal state of communion with God; everlasting bliss.
Sky
The celestial regions; the heavens
Stars in the southern sky.
Heaven
Any of the places in or beyond the sky conceived of as domains of divine beings in various religions.
Sky
The highest level or degree
Reaching for the sky.
Heaven
Heaven God
Heaven help you!.
Sky
To hit or throw (a ball, for example) high in the air.
Heaven
Heavens Used in various phrases to express surprise
Good heavens!.
Sky
To hang (a painting, for example) high up on the wall, above the line of vision.
Heaven
Often heavens The celestial powers; the gods
The heavens favored the young prince.
Sky
To jump very high in order to make a play, as in getting a rebound in basketball.
Heaven
A condition or place of great happiness, delight, or pleasure
The lake was heaven.
Sky
The atmosphere above a given point, especially as visible from the surface of the Earth as the place where the sun, moon, stars, and clouds are seen.
That year, a meteor fell from the sky.
Heaven
The sky, specifically:
Sky
With a descriptive word: the part of the sky which can be seen from a specific place or at a specific time; its climate, condition, etc.
I lay back under a warm Texas sky.
We’re not sure how long the cloudy skies will last.
Heaven
The distant sky in which the sun, moon, and stars appear or move; the firmament; the celestial spheres.
Sky
Usually preceded by the: the abode of God or the gods, angels, the souls of deceased people, etc.; heaven; also, powers emanating from heaven.
This mortal has incurred the wrath of the skies.
Heaven
(obsolete) The near sky in which weather, flying animals, etc. appear; (obsolete) the atmosphere; the climate.
Sky
Ellipsis of sky blue
Heaven
(obsolete) A model displaying the movement of the celestial bodies, an orrery.
Sky
The set of all lightlike lines (or directions) passing through a given point in space-time.
Celestial sphere
Heaven
(religion) The abode of God or the gods, traditionally conceived as beyond the sky; especially:
Sky
In an art gallery: the upper rows of pictures that cannot easily be seen; also, the place where such pictures are hung.
Heaven
The abode of God and of the angels and saints in His presence.
Sky
(obsolete) A cloud.
Heaven
The abode of the Abrahamic God; similar abodes of the gods in other religions and traditions, such as Mount Olympus.
Sky
(transitive)
Heaven
Providence, the will of God or the council of the gods; fate.
Sky
(informal) To drink (a beverage) from a container without one's lips touching the container.
Heaven
(religion) The afterlife of the blessed dead, traditionally conceived as opposed to an afterlife of the wicked and unjust (compare hell); specifically:
Sky
To hang (a picture on exhibition) near the top of a wall, where it cannot easily be seen; (by extension) to put (something) in an undesirable place.
Heaven
Paradise, the afterlife of the souls who are not sent to a place of punishment or purification such as hell, purgatory, or limbo; the state or condition of being in the presence of God after death.
Sky
To toss (something) upwards; specifically, to flip (a coin).
Heaven
The afterlife of the blessed dead in other religions and traditions, such as the Pure Land or Elysium.
Sky
(sports)
Heaven
(by extension) Any paradise; any blissful place or experience.
Sky
(obsolete) To raise (the price of an item on auction, or the level of the bids generally) by bidding high.
Heaven
(by extension) A state of bliss; a peaceful ecstasy.
Sky
(intransitive)
Heaven
Similarly blissful afterlives, places, or states for particular people, animals, or objects.
Sky
To move quickly, as if by flying; to fly; also, to escape, to flee (especially by airplane).
Heaven
(obsolete) To transport to the abode of God, the gods, or the blessed.
Sky
(sports)
Heaven
(obsolete) To beatify, enchant, or please greatly.
Sky
A cloud.
[A wind] that blew so hideously and high,That it ne lefte not a skyIn all the welkin long and broad.
Heaven
(obsolete) To beautify, to make into a paradise.
Sky
Hence, a shadow.
She passeth as it were a sky.
Heaven
The expanse of space surrounding the earth; esp., that which seems to be over the earth like a great arch or dome; the firmament; the sky; the place where the sun, moon, and stars appear; - often used in the plural in this sense.
I never saw the heavens so dim by day.
When my eyes shall be turned to behold for the last time the sun in heaven.
Sky
The apparent arch, or vault, of heaven, which in a clear day is of a blue color; the heavens; the firmament; - sometimes in the plural.
The Norweyan banners flout the sky.
Heaven
The dwelling place of the Deity; the abode of bliss; the place or state of the blessed after death.
Unto the God of love, high heaven's King.
It is a knellThat summons thee to heaven or to hell.
New thoughts of God, new hopes of Heaven.
Sky
The wheather; the climate.
Thou wert better in thy grave than to answer with thy uncovered body this extremity of the skies.
Heaven
The sovereign of heaven; God; also, the assembly of the blessed, collectively; - used variously in this sense, as in No. 2.; as, heaven helps those who help themselves.
Her prayers, whom Heaven delights to hear.
The willAnd high permission of all-ruling Heaven.
Sky
To hang (a picture on exhibition) near the top of a wall, where it can not be well seen.
Brother Academicians who skied his pictures.
Heaven
Any place of supreme happiness or great comfort; perfect felicity; bliss; a sublime or exalted condition; as, a heaven of delight.
O bed! bed! delicious bed!That heaven upon earth to the weary head!
Sky
To throw towards the sky; as, to sky a ball at cricket.
Heaven
To place in happiness or bliss, as if in heaven; to beatify.
We are happy as the bird whose nestIs heavened in the hush of purple hills.
Sky
The atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
Heaven
Any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
Sky
Throw or toss with a light motion;
Flip me the beachball
Toss me newspaper
Heaven
The abode of God and the angels
Sky
The upper atmosphere or space viewed from the earth.
Stars twinkle in the night sky.
Heaven
A place or condition of utmost happiness.
The quiet tropical island was simply heaven for her.
Sky
A particular state of the atmosphere.
The sky threatened rain with its dark, gray clouds.
Heaven
Used in various phrases to express surprise or frustration.
Oh, heavens! I forgot the keys at home!
Sky
A high or lofty position.
She aimed for the sky with her ambitions.
Heaven
A spiritual realm of existence.
The concept of heaven is prevalent in many religions.
Common Curiosities
What does the term Sky refer to?
Sky refers to the observable expanse above the earth's surface.
Can the Sky be studied scientifically?
Yes, the sky is subject to scientific study, particularly in meteorology and astronomy.
Can the concept of Heaven differ among cultures?
Yes, different cultures and religions can have varied interpretations of Heaven.
Is Heaven usually associated with religious beliefs?
Yes, Heaven is often associated with various religious and spiritual beliefs.
Can Heaven be used in idiomatic expressions?
Yes, for instance, "in seventh heaven" indicates a state of extreme happiness.
What is Heaven commonly perceived as?
Heaven is typically perceived as a divine or spiritual realm.
Can Sky refer to outer space?
Yes, the sky can also refer to the observable outer space from Earth.
Is Heaven considered a physical place?
Generally no, Heaven is often considered a spiritual or non-physical realm.
Is belief in Heaven universal?
No, beliefs about Heaven can vary widely among individuals and cultures.
Can the Sky be observed universally?
Yes, the sky is a universal, tangible entity observed from Earth.
Can the Sky have different meanings in literature?
Yes, the sky can be used literally or symbolically in various narratives.
Does the Sky change its appearance?
Yes, the sky can change in color, cloud cover, and other aspects due to weather and time of day.
Is the Sky always blue?
No, the sky can appear in various colors depending on the time and weather conditions.
Is Heaven typically depicted positively?
In most narratives, yes, Heaven is depicted as serene and positive.
Do all religions have a concept of Heaven?
Not all, but many religions have concepts of Heaven or similar afterlife realms.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Elated vs. Happy
Next Comparison
Grass vs. WeedAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
