What does genius loci mean?
Definitions for genius loci
ˈgɛn ɪˌʊs ˈloʊ ki; Eng. ˈdʒi ni əs ˈloʊ saɪ, -kaɪge·nius loci
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word genius loci.
Princeton's WordNet
genius locinoun
the special atmosphere of a place
genius locinoun
the guardian spirit of a place
Wiktionary
genius locinoun
The spirit or one of the spirits presiding over or guarding a particular place, such as a glade or pool.
genius locinoun
The geist, distinctive atmosphere, or characteristic spirit of a place, especially when regarded as an artistic muse.
Etymology: From genius + loci, genitive singular form of locus = “(guardian) spirit of a place”.
Wikipedia
Genius loci
In classical Roman religion, a genius loci (plural genii locorum) was the protective spirit of a place. It was often depicted in religious iconography as a figure holding attributes such as a cornucopia, patera (libation bowl) or snake. Many Roman altars found throughout the Western Roman Empire were dedicated to a particular genius loci. The Roman imperial cults of the Emperor and the imperial house developed in part in connections with the sacrifices made by neighborhood associations (vici) to the local genius. These 265 local districts had their cult organised around the Lares Compitales (guardian spirits or lares of the crossroads), which the emperor Augustus transformed into Lares Augusti along with the Genius Augusti. The emperor's genius is then regarded as the genius loci of the Roman Empire as a whole. Roman examples of these genii can be found, for example, at the church of St. Giles, Tockenham, Wiltshire where the genius loci is depicted as a relief in the wall of a Norman church built of Roman material. This shows "a youthful and curly-haired Roman Genius worked in high relief, holding a cornucopia in his left hand and a patera in his right", which previously has been "erroneously identified as Asclepius".
Wikidata
Genius loci
In classical Roman religion a genius loci was the protective spirit of a place. It was often depicted in religious iconography as a figure holding attributes such as a cornucopia, patera or snake. Many Roman altars found throughout the Western Roman Empire were dedicated to a particular genius loci. The Roman imperial cults of the Emperor and the imperial house developed in part in connections with the sacrifices made by neighborhood associations to the local genius. These 265 local districts had their cult organised around the Lares Compitales, which the emperor Augustus transformed into Lares Augusti along with the Genius Augusti. The Emperor's genius is then regarded as the genius loci of the Roman Empire as a whole. Roman examples of these Genii can be found, for example, at the church of St. Giles, Tockenham, Wiltshire where the genius loci is depicted as a relief in the wall of a Norman church built of Roman material. This shows "a youthful and curly-haired Roman Genius worked in high relief, holding a cornucopia in his left hand and a patera in his right', which previously has been "erroneously identified as Aesculapius".
Matched Categories
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of genius loci in Chaldean Numerology is: 1
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of genius loci in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6
Translations for genius loci
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"genius loci." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 6 May 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/genius+loci>.
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