Oculus is Latin for "eye." The word refers to anything which has an eye-like structure like a round window or a circular opening at the top of a dome. The rounded opening in the dome of the Pantheon (circular temple) in Rome, Italy is famously known as the Oculus.
The Oculus in Pantheon is always known to be open to allow the rains to enter and fall to the floor; from where it is carried away through the drainage pipelines. It is a beautiful sight to behold as one witnesses the sunlight streaming in right through the apex and striking the lower part of the dome. The radiantly lit opening and the surrounding glossy-looking concrete surface above the coffering gives a distinctive appearance of an eye. In archaeology, oculus is the name of a motif found primarily in Western European prehistoric art.
The Oculus in Pantheon is always known to be open to allow the rains to enter and fall to the floor; from where it is carried away through the drainage pipelines. It is a beautiful sight to behold as one witnesses the sunlight streaming in right through the apex and striking the lower part of the dome. The radiantly lit opening and the surrounding glossy-looking concrete surface above the coffering gives a distinctive appearance of an eye. In archaeology, oculus is the name of a motif found primarily in Western European prehistoric art.
