corona

The word "corona" originally described the bright glow seen around the sun during a total eclipse—like a beautiful, shining crown. It can also describe a smaller ring of light you might see around the moon (or a bright light) when thin clouds pass in front of it. In recent years, "corona" has also become a common casual way to refer to the virus behind COVID-19. You might see photos of the sun’s corona during an eclipse, hear people talk about “getting corona,” or notice "Corona" as the name of a beer brand.

The word "corona" comes from Latin, meaning "crown" or "wreath." Historically, it referred to the luminous aura seen around celestial bodies when they are obscured—such as the sun during a total eclipse or the moon when veiled by thin clouds. That shimmering ring of light is a breathtaking sight, and the imagery of a "crown" for the sun explains why coronas are often depicted as symbols of majesty in art and mythology.

However, "corona" has gained significant prominence in modern times due to its connection with virology. The coronavirus family is a large group of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases like SARS and MERS. In 2019, a novel coronavirus—officially named SARS-CoV-2—emerged, causing the global pandemic known as COVID-19. Because of its crown-like appearance under a microscope (due to the spike proteins on its surface), scientists named it "coronavirus," linking it back to the original Latin meaning of the word.

Beyond science and medicine, you may also encounter "Corona" as a proper name—most famously as a beer brand—and in some place names. So, "corona" can point to a majestic astronomical phenomenon, an everyday sky effect, a group of viruses (and the virus behind COVID-19), or a brand name. It’s a reminder that words can evolve and carry multiple layers of meaning, reflecting both natural beauty and modern history.