The Logrus
Encyclopedia
In The Chronicles of Amber
, a series of fantasy novels by Roger Zelazny
, the Logrus is a shifting, three-dimension
al maze
which represents the forces of Chaos
in the multiverse
.
of Amber. Where the unchanging, rigid Pattern represents Order, the Logrus is constantly altering its shape and represents the principle of Chaos.
The Logrus appears as a tentacular force that must be navigated on a magical/mental level. Those who navigate this construct successfully gain power over, and the ability to travel through, Shadow. An additional power gained from the successful navigation of the Logrus is the ability to "pull" desired, non-specific objects out of Shadow worlds.
Negotiating with the Logrus is extremely difficult and potentially fatal. Prospective initiates of the Logrus generally receive advanced training, but success is dependent less on knowledge than on will. In addition to the danger of dying, some who have attempted the Logrus have experienced permanent cerebral damage, though this fate tends to happen only to those who are weak willed or not of full chaosian blood. Luckily those of chaosian blood usually only end up being insane for a short period of time. Negotiating both the Logrus and the Pattern, as Merlin
has, is a uniquely daring feat.
Just as Dworkin Barimen
is keeper of the Pattern, Suhuy is the keeper of the Logrus and is a member of the noble houses of Chaos.
In one analysis, the Logrus has been construed as a rival metaphysical entity to the Unicorn of Amber, not the Pattern, with the climax of the Merlin Cycle a conflict between these forces.
usage. In the example, a search-and-replace operation is being executed. The text to search for is specified as a regular expression pattern. The sample text to replace the pattern with is logrus.
The Chronicles of Amber
The Chronicles of Amber is group of novels that comprise a fantasy series written by Roger Zelazny. The main series consists of two story arcs, each five novels in length. Additionally, there are a number of Amber short stories and other works....
, a series of fantasy novels by Roger Zelazny
Roger Zelazny
Roger Joseph Zelazny was an American writer of fantasy and science fiction short stories and novels, best known for his The Chronicles of Amber series...
, the Logrus is a shifting, three-dimension
Dimension
In physics and mathematics, the dimension of a space or object is informally defined as the minimum number of coordinates needed to specify any point within it. Thus a line has a dimension of one because only one coordinate is needed to specify a point on it...
al maze
Maze
A maze is a tour puzzle in the form of a complex branching passage through which the solver must find a route. In everyday speech, both maze and labyrinth denote a complex and confusing series of pathways, but technically the maze is distinguished from the labyrinth, as the labyrinth has a single...
which represents the forces of Chaos
Chaos (cosmogony)
Chaos refers to the formless or void state preceding the creation of the universe or cosmos in the Greek creation myths, more specifically the initial "gap" created by the original separation of heaven and earth....
in the multiverse
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
.
Characteristics
In the Courts of Chaos exists the Logrus, a three dimensional construct that is the opposite number to the PatternThe Pattern
In The Chronicles of Amber series of fantasy novels, The Pattern is an inscribed labyrinth which gives the multiverse its order.-The Pattern:The Pattern exists in a huge cavern, in the caves beneath the mountain Kolvir, deep under Amber Castle...
of Amber. Where the unchanging, rigid Pattern represents Order, the Logrus is constantly altering its shape and represents the principle of Chaos.
The Logrus appears as a tentacular force that must be navigated on a magical/mental level. Those who navigate this construct successfully gain power over, and the ability to travel through, Shadow. An additional power gained from the successful navigation of the Logrus is the ability to "pull" desired, non-specific objects out of Shadow worlds.
Negotiating with the Logrus is extremely difficult and potentially fatal. Prospective initiates of the Logrus generally receive advanced training, but success is dependent less on knowledge than on will. In addition to the danger of dying, some who have attempted the Logrus have experienced permanent cerebral damage, though this fate tends to happen only to those who are weak willed or not of full chaosian blood. Luckily those of chaosian blood usually only end up being insane for a short period of time. Negotiating both the Logrus and the Pattern, as Merlin
Merlin (The Chronicles of Amber)
Merlin is the narrator and main character in the second half of the Chronicles of Amber by American science fiction author Roger Zelazny. He is an incidental character in the first half of the series, eventually being revealed to be the listener to whom Corwin relates the tale of his attempts to...
has, is a uniquely daring feat.
Just as Dworkin Barimen
Dworkin Barimen
Dworkin Barimen is a fictional character in Roger Zelazny's The Chronicles of Amber, a fantasy book series.Dworkin hails from House Barimen in the Courts of Chaos. After obtaining the Left Eye of the Serpent through methods unknown, he fled into Shadow and met the Unicorn. With her help and using...
is keeper of the Pattern, Suhuy is the keeper of the Logrus and is a member of the noble houses of Chaos.
Reception and analysis
The Logrus has been called a source of "tactical nuclear weaponry, remote handling and magical apportation".In one analysis, the Logrus has been construed as a rival metaphysical entity to the Unicorn of Amber, not the Pattern, with the climax of the Merlin Cycle a conflict between these forces.
In popular culture
In Pro Perl, Peter Wainwright makes a punning reference to the Logrus (and the Pattern) in an example of regular expressionRegular expression
In computing, a regular expression provides a concise and flexible means for "matching" strings of text, such as particular characters, words, or patterns of characters. Abbreviations for "regular expression" include "regex" and "regexp"...
usage. In the example, a search-and-replace operation is being executed. The text to search for is specified as a regular expression pattern. The sample text to replace the pattern with is logrus.