| As Christianity spread throughout Western Europe,
architecture was adapted to the needs of the Church. Generally,
Christian Churches were constructed on the East-West axis with
entrance facing west. This East–West orientation made the
entrance into Church a movement from dark to light. Moreover,
Churches were often constructed on sites that were already “sacred.”
For example the cathedral at Chartres was build on the
site where a pagan goddess was worshipped. Interestingly, in
Chartres became associated with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. In fact
there are over 175 symbols or images of Mary in the Cathedral at
Chartres.
Between 800 and 1100 AD the Church utilized Romanesque
architecture. Its characteristics included the "barrel vault
ceiling," a cross-shaped floor plan, relatively low walls and dim
lighting. These churches were often designed to accommodate
large numbers of pilgrims who had come to view the relics
(remains of a saint, or items associated with Jesus, Mary, the
Apostles or a saint) housed in the church. An ambulatory
was a walk way around the high altar that allowed pilgrims to get
close to the relics.
Beginning around 1100 AD the Church sought to express certain
ideals through a new form or architecture that became known as
Gothic. The ideals of Gothic architecture included:
•
A belief that
the church structure must be a visible “text”
•
Mathematical
Harmony: A belief that sacred reality was reflected in the truths of
math, proportion and nature
•
Luminosity:
Strong emphasis on light as symbol of the light of revelation
What allowed the Church to realize these ideals was an innovation
known as the "flying buttress." The flying buttress was an
external support that was placed in strategic locations to counter
the outward pressure on the wall. Flying buttresses allowed much
higher walls to be built. In addition, to the flying buttress,
Gothic architecture is characterized by high walls, large stain
glass windows, and soaring, tree-like columns.
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| About the time that the first Gothic cathedrals were appearing
in Europe, a great temple was being constructed in Kandariya
in northern India. This temple is dedicated to the worship of
Shiva who, according to Hinduism, dwells in a cave under a
mountain in the Himalayas. The temple re-presents the dwelling place
of Shiva. It appears to be a series of mountains leading to a
highest peak. Moreover, the outside of the temple is covered with
elaborate carvings depicting the activities of gods and mortals.
Before entering the temple, worshippers circumambulate it to view
all the external activities that are represented in the temple's
carvings. One then enters the temple from the east and proceeds
toward the west. Symbolically, this can be thought of as a
journey from the light (east) toward darkness (west). In this case,
darkness does not carry a negative connotation; rather it symbolizes
the journey into the interior mystery of life. The central room of
the temple is called the "womb room" and is
clearly meant to recreate the cave where Shiva dwells. It houses the
symbol of Shiva and is directly below the highest spire of the
temple. It thus is a recreation of the dwelling place of Shiva and
symbolically portrays Shiva as the source that underlies all
creation. |
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