Sacred geometry in architecture: cathedrals
One of the primary requirements for a shrine, as a cathedral can be, has always been a well-proportioned architecture, a good location and a good orientation.
Orientation remains a key issue for sacred geometry in architecture : the mosque faces Mecca, while most Hindu and Christian temples face east. There are a few exceptions, such as Chartres Cathedral in France, which faces northeast.
In the past, churches, temples and megalithic stones had to be erected on a powerful site. In imperial China, and still today, Feng Shui is used to find the hsueh, or dragon point, to bring the most energy to important buildings, such as palaces, mums, temples and tombs.
In its early days, the Christian church even drew up guidelines which, if necessary, required that churches be built on ancient pagan places of worship
There were 3 reasons for this: the geometric priests used the power of the places, the followers of the ancient cults continued to come there, and the original pagan artifacts were destroyed. The applications derived from this become interesting if one observes the geometry of the meridian lines. Finally, the structure, equally important, had to meet certain precise geometrical rules.
Geometry and numbers are sacred because they codify the hidden order of creation. They are the instruments that served the genesis of the universe. The simplicity of numbers, fractions and proportions makes the universe and the geometry of Euclid and the Greeks rigorous and harmonious.
A place becomes sacred when the dimensions in which it is built depend on proportions that are either whole numbers or specific numbers, such as the golden ratio. These shrines are harmonious and have certain temple-like qualities.
As Christianity spread throughout Europe, the construction of imposing cathedrals became an outward expression of reverence for the divine, as well as a focal point of community life for centuries. Construction often took more than a century, inspiring generations to be a part of something greater than the individual.
Let's take a look at four architectural ensembles that have left their mark on history through their beauty and their architecture structured around the golden ratio.
The sacred geometry of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral
The construction of one of the most beautiful remaining cathedrals in Paris began in 1963 under the direction of Bishop Maurice de Sully, who died in 1996. The construction of the western façade was completed in 1225. Another century passed before the cathedral was completed. Some 850 years later, it is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Paris. Interestingly, the dimensions of the western façade, as well as the gothic rose window facing north, reflect the golden ratio.