Genius Loci: 'Spirit of a Place'

The term ‘genius loci’ is an ancient Roman belief suggesting that each place has its own guardian spirit; this spirit gives life to people and places, accompanies them from birth to death and determines their character. Although places may change and so do structures; their ‘genius loci’ remains the same. Therefore, even time cannot cancel the ‘genius loci’; as a result of which places preserve their identity. In Roman religious iconography, the genius loci was often depicted as a figure holding attributes such as a cornucopia, libation bowl or snake. 

In ancient Indian architecture and scriptures, ‘Genius Loci’ manifests as the Vastu Purusha Mandala - an indispensable part of the science of building, which constitutes the mathematical and diagrammatic basis for generating design. It is the metaphysical plan of a building that also incorporates the presence of supernatural forces. Purusha refers to energy, power, soul or cosmic man. Mandala is the generic name for any plan or chart which symbolically represents the cosmos.

 

The Vastu Purusha is the presiding deity of any site. Usually he is depicted as lying on it with the head in the northeast and legs in the southwest but he keeps changing position throughout the year. Vastu shastra prescribes desirable characteristics for sites and buildings based on flow of energy. The morning sun is considered especially beneficial and purifying however the sun does not play a specific role in the Vaastu shastras. Energy is primarily considered as emanating from the ‘brahmasthan’ or center of the building. This energy is a mixture of Vaastu energy, which is subtle energy from the earth, and Vastu energy which is subtle energy from Consciousness itself. Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space are the five elements or ‘panch mahabhoota’ that remain at the core of the science.

Spirit of place (or soul) 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. It is thus as much in the invisible weave of culture (stories, art, memories, beliefs, histories) as it is the tangible physical aspects of a place; such as monuments, boundaries, rivers, woods, architectural style, rural crafts, styles, pathways,or its interpersonal aspects (the presence of relatives, friends, kindred spirits, and the like).

From macro to micro, all ‘places’ are said to have their own spirits. A city has its genius loci, as does a building. Guardian spirits are also seen in the form of tutelary deities. A tutelary is a deity or spirit who is a guardian, patron or protector of a particular place, geographic feature, lineage, nation, culture, community or occupation. An individual too may be said to have a guardian spirit, the personal deity who protects him/her from birth to death. 

Historically, in many cultures, tutelary deities of places are seen. The Capitoline Triad of Juno, Jupiter and Minerva were tutelaries of Rome. In Greece, Athena is said to be the tutelary of Athens. Native American religion has zoomorphic tutelaries, or power animals. In many African cultures, tutelaries appear as totems around villages. Chinese folk religion includes a myriad of tutelary deities such as Guan Yuis, from the Three Kingdoms period. In Korean Shamanism, two figures were worshipped as deities and placed at the edge of villages to frighten off demons. Thai provincial capitals have tutelary citypillars and palladiums. The guardian spirit of a house is known as Chao Thi or Phra Phum, with a miniature shrine placed in the home for worshipping this spirit. Tibetan Buddhism has Yidam as a tutelary deity. Dakini is the patron of those who seek knowledge. In Hinduism, tutelary deities (ishta-devata) are known as Kuldevi or Kuldeva. Gramadevata are guardian deities of villages. Devas can also be seen as tutelary. Shiva is said to be the patron tutelary of yogis and saints.