Jeffrey Engel answers “This book uses the phrase "facies...”

Julie-Anne asked this question about Foucault’s Pendulum:

This book uses the phrase "facies hermeticae" a few times and I've yet to figure out what it means in the given context. The top google results are quotations from the book, can anyone explain what Eco means by this?

Jeffrey Engel Probably just another way to say "secret" or "hidden" knowledge. ie. "The study of hermetics". Facies are "characteristics" or the "face of things". S…moreProbably just another way to say "secret" or "hidden" knowledge. ie. "The study of hermetics". Facies are "characteristics" or the "face of things". So figuratively we're probably talking about the "study of...". And hermetics of course is discussed much in the book, it's the secret knowledge that people think relates to mystical or religious things. Although some people elevate it to simply "secret" things in general. So, the face of hidden things, or the characteristics of secret knowledge. ie. "the study of secret and missing knowledge", etc.(less)

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Foucault’s Pendulum

by Umberto Eco

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