Rhipidion
/rɪˈpɪdiən/noun
A ceremonial liturgical fan, especially one used in Eastern Christian worship.
Did you know?In Byzantine and Eastern Orthodox tradition, the rhipidion developed from a practical fly-whisk into a ceremonial object often decorated with six-winged seraphim.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ῥιπίς (rhipís)
“A fan or anything used for fanning, including a fire fan.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ῥιπίδιον (rhipídion)
“A small fan; the diminutive form of rhipís.”
Late Antiquity
Greek
ῥιπίδιον (rhipídion)
“A fan used in Christian ceremonial settings, originally with a practical role in protecting sacred objects from insects.”
Byzantine Greek
Greek
ῥιπίδιον (rhipídion)
“A liturgical fan associated with attendants, angels, and ceremonial honor.”
Modern English
English
rhipidion
“A ceremonial fan used particularly in Eastern Christian liturgy.”
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