Omphalion
Omphalion in Greek means "navel (of the earth)"; compare the omphalos of Delphi. Hagia Sophia One of the most intriguing features of Hagia Sophia is a marble section of the floor known as the Omphalos. The Omphalos is located in the south-east quarter of the main square beneath the dome, exactly in the middle of the square. Each side measures 5.65 meters (18.5 feet). Within the square lay 30 circles of various sizes. There is one large circle in the middle; 4 circles of equal size at each corner; 2 smaller circles of similar size occupy the space between each corner circle; 16 smaller circles in-between these. The 3 remaining circles are on the south end and are linked to the 4 larger circles on that end. The most striking feature of the Omphalos is the brilliant marble, with myriad types and colors mixed in. Marble was the material of choice for Imperial churches: it was believed to be created by earthy matter freezing in water that had sunk into the Earth's crust. The design is unusual and has been interpreted in many ways over the years. One interpretation could be that is that the central circle could be the