What is the difference between an icon and an idol?

Question

What is the difference between an icon and an idol?

Answer 1

There is an overlap in the distinction.

An idol is more general. Any of a number of celebrities in hollywood--singers, actors, can be an idol. An idol has a large following of admirers.

An icon is an idol but has a greater significance in representing a whole type. Elvis Presley was an icon of rock and roll. Marlon Brando an icon of the movie industry. Madona may be an icon too.

The word icon is reserved for the special of the special. They're are far fewer of them.  They withstand time longer. They are not one hit wonders; they endure.

Whereas an idol may be just a passing fad.

Answer 2

An icon is something know to most everyone.   And idol is something you worship.

Answer 3

an icon is also a painting of a saint. Mainly used by the Eastern Orthodox Church. The word iconoclast refers to those in the movement that aimed to destroy such images during the Byzantine times. An Idol is a statue that represents a being to worship. Or a character or person that you like very much and are crazy about like a movie star. An Icon would be someone who is so good at what he does that he becomes a symbol of that thing