Genius loci
Encyclopedia
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 a Cornucopia
, patera
and/or a snake
. There are many Roman altars found in Western Europe dedicated in whole or in part to the particular Genius Loci. The Roman imperial cults of the Emperor
and the imperial house are in part derived from the Genius Loci. Professor Greg Woolf, in his article Divinity and Power in Ancient Rome states that "Regular sacrifices were also paid to the genius of the reigning emperor by local neighborhood associations". These 265 local districts had their cult organised around the Lares Compitales (deities of the crossroads) but the Emperor Augustus
"reorganized the cult into a worship of the Lares Augusti along with the Genius Augusti". The idea, approximately, being the Emperor's genius is the genius loci of the entirety of the "place" of the Roman empire.
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".
of places in Asia are still honored today in city pillar shrine
s, outdoor spirit house
s and indoor household and business shrines.
", rather than necessarily a guardian spirit.
Usage: "Light reveals the genius loci of a place."
made the Genius Loci an important principle in garden
and landscape (see bagh
) design with the following lines from Epistle IV, to Richard Boyle, Earl of Burlington:
Pope's verse laid the foundation for one of the most widely agreed principles of landscape architecture
. This is the principle that landscape designs should always be adapted to the context in which they are located.
A priori, archetype
, and genius loci are the primary principals of Neo-Rationalism or New Rationalism. Pioneered by the Italian architect Aldo Rossi
, Neo-Rationalism developed in the light of a re-evaluation of the work of Giuseppe Terragni
, and gained momentum through the work of Giorgio Grassi
. Characterized by elemental vernacular forms and an absence of cosmetic detail, the Neo-Rationalist style has adherents beyond architecture in the greater world of art.
In the context of modern architectural theory, genius loci has profound implications for place-making, falling within the philosophical branch of 'phenomenology'. This field of architectural discourse is explored most notably by the theorist Christian Norberg-Schulz
in his book, Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture.
, such as Dungeons and Dragons or The Dresden Files
, a genius loci is an intelligent spirit
or magical
power that resides in a place. Very few genius loci of this form are able to move from their native area, either because they are "part of the land" or because they are bound to it. Genius loci are usually portrayed as being extremely powerful and usually also very intelligent, though there is a great deal of variability on these points. Some versions are nearly omnipotent and omniscient inside the area they inhabit, while others are simply vast, semi-sentient wellsprings of magical energy. This power almost never extends beyond the border of the genius loci.
Different settings give different explanations for the existence of genius loci. In most cases, however, the intelligent, magical entity simply develops from the similarly named "spirit of place" over a great deal of time. In other settings, genius loci are formed by powerful magical events, and in others they are the results of ley lines, mana pools, or an equivalent.
Religion in ancient Rome
Religion in ancient Rome encompassed the religious beliefs and cult practices regarded by the Romans as indigenous and central to their identity as a people, as well as the various and many cults imported from other peoples brought under Roman rule. Romans thus offered cult to innumerable deities...
a genius
Genius (mythology)
In ancient Roman religion, the genius was the individual instance of a general divine nature that is present in every individual person, place or thing.-Nature of the genius:...
loci was the protective spirit of a place. It was often depicted in religious iconography as a figure holding a Cornucopia
Cornucopia
The cornucopia or horn of plenty is a symbol of abundance and nourishment, commonly a large horn-shaped container overflowing with produce, flowers, nuts, other edibles, or wealth in some form...
, patera
Patera
A patera was a broad, shallow dish used for drinking, primarily in a ritual context such as a libation. These paterae were often used in Rome....
and/or a snake
Serpent (symbolism)
Serpent in Latin means: Rory Collins :&, in turn, from the Biblical Hebrew word of: "saraf" with root letters of: which refers to something burning-as, the pain of poisonous snake's bite was likened to internal burning.This word is commonly used in a specifically mythic or religious context,...
. There are many Roman altars found in Western Europe dedicated in whole or in part to the particular Genius Loci. The Roman imperial cults of the Emperor
Imperial cult (ancient Rome)
The Imperial cult of ancient Rome identified emperors and some members of their families with the divinely sanctioned authority of the Roman State...
and the imperial house are in part derived from the Genius Loci. Professor Greg Woolf, in his article Divinity and Power in Ancient Rome states that "Regular sacrifices were also paid to the genius of the reigning emperor by local neighborhood associations". These 265 local districts had their cult organised around the Lares Compitales (deities of the crossroads) but the Emperor Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
"reorganized the cult into a worship of the Lares Augusti along with the Genius Augusti". The idea, approximately, being the Emperor's genius is the genius loci of the entirety of the "place" of the Roman empire.
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
Norman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
church built of Roman
Roman Britain
Roman Britain was the part of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire from AD 43 until ca. AD 410.The Romans referred to the imperial province as Britannia, which eventually comprised all of the island of Great Britain south of the fluid frontier with Caledonia...
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".
Contemporary Asian usage
The numinous spiritsNumen
Numen is a Latin term for a potential, guiding the course of events in a particular place or in the whole world, used in Roman philosophical and religious thought...
of places in Asia are still honored today in city pillar shrine
Lak Mueang
Lak Mueang are City pillars found in most cities of Thailand. Usually housed in a shrine which is also believed to house Chao Pho Lak Mueang , the city spirit deity; it is held in high esteem by citizens....
s, outdoor spirit house
Spirit house
A spirit house or san phra phum is a shrine to the protective spirit of a place that are found in the Southeast Asian countries of Burma, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. Most houses and businesses have a spirit house placed in an auspicious spot, most often in a corner of the property. The...
s and indoor household and business shrines.
Western usage
In contemporary usage, genius loci usually refers to a location's distinctive atmosphere, or a "spirit of placeSpirit of place
Spirit of place refers to the unique, distinctive and cherished aspects of a place; often those celebrated by artists and writers, but also those cherished in folk tales, festivals and celebrations...
", rather than necessarily a guardian spirit.
Usage: "Light reveals the genius loci of a place."
Art and architecture
Alexander PopeAlexander Pope
Alexander Pope was an 18th-century English poet, best known for his satirical verse and for his translation of Homer. He is the third-most frequently quoted writer in The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, after Shakespeare and Tennyson...
made the Genius Loci an important principle in garden
Garden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has...
and landscape (see bagh
Bagh (garden)
Bāgh which usually translates to garden, refers to an enclosed area with permanent cultures as well as flowers. It is common to near-, middle- and south-eastern countries...
) design with the following lines from Epistle IV, to Richard Boyle, Earl of Burlington:
- Consult the genius of the place in all;/That tells the waters or to rise, or fall;/Or helps th' ambitious hill the heav'ns to scale,/Or scoops in circling theatres the vale;/Calls in the country, catches opening glades,/Joins willing woods, and varies shades from shades,/Now breaks, or now directs, th' intending lines;/Paints as you plant, and, as you work, designs.
Pope's verse laid the foundation for one of the most widely agreed principles of landscape architecture
Landscape architecture
Landscape architecture is the design of outdoor and public spaces to achieve environmental, socio-behavioral, or aesthetic outcomes. It involves the systematic investigation of existing social, ecological, and geological conditions and processes in the landscape, and the design of interventions...
. This is the principle that landscape designs should always be adapted to the context in which they are located.
A priori, archetype
Archetype
An archetype is a universally understood symbol or term or pattern of behavior, a prototype upon which others are copied, patterned, or emulated...
, and genius loci are the primary principals of Neo-Rationalism or New Rationalism. Pioneered by the Italian architect Aldo Rossi
Aldo Rossi
Aldo Rossi was an Italian architect and designer who accomplished the unusual feat of achieving international recognition in four distinct areas: theory, drawing, architecture and product design.-Early life:...
, Neo-Rationalism developed in the light of a re-evaluation of the work of Giuseppe Terragni
Giuseppe Terragni
Giuseppe Terragni was an Italian architect who worked primarily under the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini and pioneered the Italian modern movement under the rubric of Rationalism...
, and gained momentum through the work of Giorgio Grassi
Giorgio Grassi
Giorgio Grassi , is one of Italy's most important architects. Much influenced by Ludwig Hilberseimer, Heinrich Tessenow and Adolf Loos, his extremely formal work is predicated on absolute simplicity, clarity, and honesty without ingratiation, rhetoric, or spectacular shape-making; it refers to...
. Characterized by elemental vernacular forms and an absence of cosmetic detail, the Neo-Rationalist style has adherents beyond architecture in the greater world of art.
In the context of modern architectural theory, genius loci has profound implications for place-making, falling within the philosophical branch of 'phenomenology'. This field of architectural discourse is explored most notably by the theorist Christian Norberg-Schulz
Christian Norberg-Schulz
Christian Norberg-Schulz was a Norwegian architect, architectural historian and theorist.He was born in Oslo. He is the father of singer Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz....
in his book, Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture.
Modern fantasy
In modern works of fantasyFantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
, such as Dungeons and Dragons or The Dresden Files
The Dresden Files
The Dresden Files is a series of contemporary fantasy/mystery novels written by Jim Butcher.He provides a first person narrative of each story from the point of view of the main character, private investigator and wizard Harry Dresden, as he recounts investigations into supernatural disturbances in...
, a genius loci is an intelligent spirit
Spirit
The English word spirit has many differing meanings and connotations, most of them relating to a non-corporeal substance contrasted with the material body.The spirit of a living thing usually refers to or explains its consciousness.The notions of a person's "spirit" and "soul" often also overlap,...
or magical
Magic (fantasy)
Magic in fiction is the endowing of fictional characters or objects with magical powers.Such magic often serves as a plot device, the source of magical artifacts and their quests...
power that resides in a place. Very few genius loci of this form are able to move from their native area, either because they are "part of the land" or because they are bound to it. Genius loci are usually portrayed as being extremely powerful and usually also very intelligent, though there is a great deal of variability on these points. Some versions are nearly omnipotent and omniscient inside the area they inhabit, while others are simply vast, semi-sentient wellsprings of magical energy. This power almost never extends beyond the border of the genius loci.
Different settings give different explanations for the existence of genius loci. In most cases, however, the intelligent, magical entity simply develops from the similarly named "spirit of place" over a great deal of time. In other settings, genius loci are formed by powerful magical events, and in others they are the results of ley lines, mana pools, or an equivalent.