omphalos
IPA: ˈɑmfʌɫˈɔs
noun
- An ancient religious stone artifact, or baetylus, used to denote the direction of the "center" of the world.
- The theological proposition that the world was created with certain indicia of a history which had not actually occurred (such as the humans who had never been connected to umbilical cords being created with navels).
- The navel.
- A raised central point; a boss.
- The center or hub.
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Examples of "omphalos" in Sentences
- The ancient Greeks believed Delphi was the omphalos, or navel, of the world
- The omphalos stone at Delphi was said to mark the exact center of the earth
- Scholars continue to debate the significance of the omphalos in Greek mythology and religion
- Some believe the omphalos stone was a symbol of fertility and creation
- Pilgrims would travel from far and wide to visit the omphalos at Delphi and seek guidance from the Oracle
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