An avatar is a representation of a person, often in the form of a graphic or an icon, used as a profile picture or as a symbol of an online identity. In virtual reality and video gaming, an avatar is a character that represents the player and is controlled by the player to interact with the virtual environment. The word “avatar” is derived from Sanskrit, where it originally referred to the incarnation of a Hindu deity. In modern usage, it has taken on a broader meaning to refer to any representation of a person in a digital or virtual context.