Awe is an emotion comparable to wonder[1] but less joyous, and more fearful or respectful. In general awe is directed at objects considered to be more powerful than the subject, such as the breaking of huge waves on the base of a rocky cliff, or the thundering roar of a massive waterfall.[2] The Great Pyramid of Giza, the Grand Canyon, or the vastness of open space in the cosmos are all places or concepts which would typically inspire awe. Awe is defined in Robert Plutchik's Wheel of emotions[3] as a combination of surprise and fear.
Psychologists have noted that awe can inspire. When asked to describe themselves whilst viewing an awe-inspiring sight (such as a dinosaurskeleton), test subjects were more likely to describe themselves in oceanic terms (eg "I am an inhabitant of the planet Earth") as opposed to more specific terms (eg "I have blonde hair")
