Janus
Two-faced Janus looks to past and future, presiding over doorways, gates, and every beginning. Romans invoked him at rituals, travel, and war’s start, keeping his doors open only during conflict.
Story beats
- 1) Janus oversees the first moments—of days, months (January), journeys, and contracts.
- 2) His temple doors (Ianus Geminus) stay open in wartime, shut in peace.
- 3) Travelers and ritualists pray to him to open safe passage and close off danger.
- 4) His two faces see what was and what will be, harmonizing transition.
Context & symbolism
Janus embodies liminality: the power of thresholds where choices happen. Unlike other gods, he lacks Greek counterpart, rooted in Rome’s focus on civic order and beginnings.
His dual gaze invites reflection before action—planning with memory and foresight together.
Motifs
- Two faces, past and future
- Keys and staffs opening/closing paths
- Temple doors signaling war or peace
- Invocations at ritual start
Use it in play
- Negotiate passage through a magical gate only Janus can open.
- Close a war gate to end conflict; sabotage keeps it open.
- Seek Janus’ omen before a heist—he reveals one truth of past, one of future.
- Carry a Janus key that can open any door once and seal it forever.