naos

views updated Jun 11 2018

naos.
1. Inner cell or sanctuary of a Greek temple, equivalent to the Roman cella, containing the statue of the deity.

2. Sanctuary of a centrally planned Byzantine church.

3. Small shrine, often portable, e.g. the battered-sided Egyptian type, carried by a Naöphorus figure.

Bibliography

J. Curl (2005);
Dinsmoor (1950)