Home: Between functional walls and a sanctuary for the soul

Source: The Aristotelian household: An economic unit of mastery and survival

Chapter 2

From these two partnerships (that is - the partnership between man and woman and between man and slave) the household is first created. The partnership created by way of nature for everyday needs is therefore the household, whose members Charondas calls "companions to the table," and Epimenides the Cretan calls them "companions to the manger."

Chapter 3

It is necessary first and foremost to discuss the craft of household management, for every state is composed of households. We shall divide the matter of household management again according to those parts that make up the household itself: the first and smallest parts of the household are the master and the slave, the husband and the wife, the father and the children. It is fitting that we examine these three - what is each of them and what should its nature be? This is a bond of mastery, this - of marriage, because the union of woman and man has no special adjective, and the third - a bond of procreation, since for this too no adjective of its own has been designated. Let us say, therefore, that the three bonds we mentioned exist. And there is one more component, which some see as its main part; I mean what is called the business of money, and the nature of this must be examined.

(Aristotle, Politics, Book I; Image: "Coming Home", Otto Kirberg (1850–1926))

Explanation: Functional partnerships: The anatomy of the household

A partnership among members of the household creates the home, whose essence and role are economic. The various bonds among those present in the household—man and woman, a cow or a slave—came together to eat, procreate, and exercise mastery.

Perspective: Beyond the four walls: Home as function versus home as essence

For Aristotle, the household is purely functional. It centers economic activity and procreation, but holds no value in its own right. The figure responsible for the functions of the household is the man (mastery, economy, and procreation), while the other members of the household—the child, the wife, the slave, and the cow—serve as auxiliaries, the subjects of his rule. The house itself—four walls, a bed, a table, and a lamp—has no value beyond its practical utility for the household's economic needs. In the Greek language, the word for 'household' is οἶκος (oikos), meaning the family household, and according to Aristotle, the household is indeed the family living in the house, not the building itself. In English, by contrast, the concept divides into two words—house and home—one designating the functional structure and the other 'hominess.' Hebrew, too, distinguishes between dira (an apartment or living space) and bayit (home); the former denotes the functional place where one lives, while bayit is far more essential, emotional, and cultural.

Going Deeper: A man's home is his castle: Home as a place of refuge and security

In 1628, the English jurist Sir Edward Coke articulated a principle rooted in ancient English common law (and echoed in the Torah's legal system as well), according to which local officials were not permitted to enter private homes without consent to seize goods or make arrests. Residents could thus feel secure under their own roof, captured in the classic phrase, 'An Englishman's home is his castle.' Across the world, many kinds of spaces have served as sanctuaries—churches, temples, cities of refuge, consulates, asylum-granting states, and private residences—shielding people from discrimination, danger, arrest, confiscation, vengeance, deportation, and sometimes even punishment, justified though it may be.

Culture: Colors and emotions: How we create a sense of home

From the website of Tambour paints, "Colors in Your Home":

Blue – Think blue, think sky and sea. Imagine yourself on the beach on a warm day. Feeling more peaceful and relaxed already? That is exactly the sensation blue brings into your home. Less stress and tension, more calm and quiet.

Green – Green takes us straight to the heart of nature. Growth and freshness alongside calm and ease. It blends the serenity of blue with the joy of yellow, which is why shades of green project harmony and balance, helping soothe and relieve stress. It adds a rustic, natural touch to a room, with just enough warmth to create a pleasant, intimate atmosphere.

Purple – It conveys magic and mystery alongside sophistication and elegance. Purple is the color of the third eye, connecting us to spirituality. Purple hues are associated with intuition, deep thoughts, and insight. It is a dramatic, deep, and rich color, and even a small touch of it (try deep purple accent pillows, for instance) can transform a space.

White – White brings freshness and purity, creating an atmosphere of order and cleanliness. A room where the walls, the floor, and the furniture are all white enjoys an airy feel, creating the impression of high ceilings. That said, too much white can result in a look that feels distant and dull.