Gothic cathedrals, grand religious structures erected in the Middle Ages, differed greatly from one another, but were consistent in sharing the essential characteristics of beauty, functionality, and religion. From the Chesma Palace Church in Russia with its unconventional design to the famous Notre Dame cathedral in France, each edifice is as unique and intricate as a fingerprint. Just like fingerprints though, certain aspects are shared by all cathedrals, which make up and define these magnificent works of art.

Whenever anyone looks at a cathedral, the first thought usually has to do with its beauty. Inside and out, they are known to be some of the grandest, most elaborate structures ever created. This was no accident though. For cathedral architects, one of the first priorities was to create an aesthetic and visually pleasing product. To accomplish this, the earliest architects used large amounts of wood, stone...