Cnoüs

First Appearance and Context

Cnoüs is cited within the Hylaean hymn sung during an aut in the Mynster. In that rite, the music first depicts a state of disorder that “preceded Cnoüs,” then converges to a single tone representing the Light dawning in Cnoüs’s mind, coinciding with the moment the aut sets the mechanism in motion. The hymn also names Hylaea as “our mother” who brings forth the light of her father, Cnoüs.

Roles/Actions and Affiliations

• In mathic tradition as expressed through the hymn, Cnoüs stands at the turning point between Kaos (non‑systematic thought) and ordered understanding.
• The ritual’s musical design uses the collapse of many voices into one pure tone to signify Cnoüs’s moment of enlightenment; after this, the winding proceeds smoothly.
• Invoked in the Hylaean Anathem that accompanies the daily aut.

Relationships

• Identified as the father of Hylaea and Deät in the hymn.

Descriptions/Characteristics

• Associated with “Light” as a metaphor for insight and order.
• Among avout, “Light of Cnoüs” is also used colloquially—sometimes with irony—to describe having “upsight” when engaged in theorics.
• The phrase Light of Cnous functions as a devotional image; statues of Saunts commonly show an enraptured gaze toward it, and avout sometimes mimic this pose when carrying their glowing spheres en route to assemblies.

Iconographies and Sæcular Perceptions

During reviews of Iconography, Cnoüs is mentioned in connection with the Penthabrian iconography: outsiders depict the avout as guardians of ancient mystical secrets said to be handed down by Cnoüs, with theorics cast as a smokescreen for hidden power. This reflects a Sæcular narrative and is presented as one of several recurring stereotypes, not as a literal claim about practice.

Current Status/Location

Cnoüs functions as a mythic‑philosophical figure referenced in ongoing liturgical practice and in Sæcular iconographies. No physical person or location is associated with him so far.