Omphalos
/ˈɒm.fə.lɒs/noun
A central point or focal point; in ancient Greek religion, a sacred stone marking the center of the world.
Did you know?At Delphi, the famous omphalos stone was treated as the navel of the world, tying the word to the ancient belief that sacred centers could anchor cosmic order.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₃embʰ-
“A root meaning 'navel' or 'central point'.”
Ancient Greek
GRK
ὀμφαλός (omphalós)
“Navel; the center or hub of something.”
Classical Greek
GRK
ὀμφαλός τῆς γῆς
“The navel of the earth, especially the sacred center at Delphi.”
Late Latin
LAT
omphalos
“Borrowed Greek term used in learned and technical writing.”
Modern English
ENG
omphalos
“A central point or focal point, especially a symbolic center.”