pulvinar
9.9
A cushioned seat in Roman ceremonies that holds statues of gods
- noun
- /ˈpʌlvɪnɑr/
- Archaic
:
pulvinar
- In ancient Rome, the pulvinar served as a ceremonial seat where deities were showcased to worshippers.
Examples
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During religious ceremonies, the priests placed the statues of the gods on the pulvinar to honor them.
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The rich designs of the pulvinar reflected the importance of the gods in Roman society.
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The rest of it we call the pulvinar, which means pillow.
How Ornate
Surface Forms
Etymology
Pulvinar comes from the Latin word pulvinus, which means 'cushion' or 'pillow'. In ancient Rome a pulvinar was a cushioned couch or ceremonial seat used to show the statues of the gods, so the word brings to mind a soft, special seat.