Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Genius (mythology)
In Roman mythology, every man had a genius and every woman a juno (Juno was also the name for the queen of the gods).
Originally, the genius/juno were ancestors who guarded over their descendants. Over time, they turned into personal guardian spirits, granting intellect and prowess. Sacrifices were made to one's genius/juno on one's birthday.
The juno was worshipped under many titles:
- Iugalis - protected marriage
- Matronalis - protected married women
- Pronuba - protected the bride
- Virginalis - protected virginity
In addition to each genius/juno of individuals, regions, families, households and cities had a genius. The genius of the Roman race was a winged, naked youth. The genius dedicated to places were usually depicted as snakes.
See also Lares, Di Penates, Genius loci
In certain older translations of the Arabian Nights, a genius is a male jinni.
10-26-2009 08:16:03
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details