The word "老天爷" is formed through a process of personification and cultural compounding, beginning with the concept of "天" (Heaven or the sky) as a primal, impersonal force. To make this force more relatable and approachable within a familial and social hierarchy, the respectful and familiar term "爷" (lord, grandfather, or master) is attached, implying a patriarchal authority figure who oversees human affairs. The prefix "老" (old, venerable) is then added not for age but to convey deep reverence, antiquity, and established power, culminating in a composite term that conceptualizes the supreme cosmic authority as an ancient, familial patriarch, the "Venerable Heavenly Lord".