BookRags.com Literature Guides Literature
Guides
Criticism & Essays Criticism &
Essays
Questions & Answers Questions &
Answers
Lesson Plans Lesson
Plans
My Bibliography Periodic Table U.S. Presidents Shakespeare Sonnet Shake-Up
Research Anything:        
History | Encyclopedias | Films | News | Create a Bibliography | More... Login | Register | Help

Not What You Meant?  There are 38 definitions for Gothic.  Also try: Aaron's rod or St. Gummarus.

Student Essay on Geometry in Gothic Architecture

Print-Friendly  Order the PDF version  Order the RTF version
About 12 pages (3,535 words)
Gothic architecture Summary

Bookmark and Share Questions on this topic? Just ask!

Geometry in Gothic Architecture

Summary:   The 12th Century saw the move away from the Romanesque architecture which had typified the preceding centuries to the era of the great gothic cathedrals which were to become the architectural symbol of the middle ages. Numbers and geometry had acquired a metaphysical significance and were believed to have occult symbolism and power. The introduction of sacred geometry into all aspects of the design of places of worship was therefore inevitable.


Introduction

The 12th Century saw the move away from the Romanesque architecture which had typified the preceding centuries to the era of the great gothic cathedrals which were to become the architectural symbol of the middle ages. The transformation was not simply one of size or scope but a manifestation of the cultural shifts which were occurring as the medieval age commenced.

By this time, numbers and geometry had acquired a metaphysical significance and were believed to have occult symbolism and power. The introduction of sacred geometry into all aspects of the design of places of worship was therefore inevitable and from that time key design features such as the numbers of pillars in the choir, the layout of the floor plan and façade were significantly influenced by the perceived significance of these theories. To understand in.....

This is a free excerpt of 135 words. There are 3,535 words (approx. 12 pages at 300 words per page) in the full essay.

Read the rest of this Essay with our Geometry in Gothic Architecture Access Pass.

Ask any question on Gothic architecture and get it answered FAST!
Answer questions in BookRags Q&A and earn points toward
discounted or even FREE Study Guides and other BookRags products!
Learn more about BookRags Q&A
Copyrights
Geometry in Gothic Architecture from BookRags Student Essays. ©2000-2006 by BookRags, Inc. All rights reserved.

Join BookRagslearn moreJoin BookRags




About BookRags | Customer Service | Report an Error | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy