Cathedral Rose Window Meaning

There s actually 3 rose windows but because the sun moves in the southern sky it s the south rose window that s lit up by the sun during the day thus casting it s remarkable glow into the transept of notre dame.

Cathedral rose window meaning.

Installed in 1976 in time for the nave s completion and dedication the creation window starts in the middle where pieces of white glass send thousands of rays of light radiating outward as the petals of a rose. Most notable are the rose windows. It dates to c. Western rose window with the gallery of kings below.

Scattered examples of decorated circular windows existed in the romanesque period santa maria in pomposa italy 10th century. The name wheel window is often applied to a window divided by simple spokes radiating from a central boss or. The west window over the main entrance depicts the creation while the rose window in the north transept illustrates the dormition and assumption of virgin mary. 1215 ce and depicts scenes from the last judgement with jesus christ represented as the judge of humanity dominating the central panel.

Only toward the middle of the 12th century however did the idea appear of making a rich decorative motif out of a round window. Rose window is often used as a generic term applied to a circular window but is especially used for those found in gothic cathedrals and churches. Designed by cathedral master artisan rowan lecompte and fabricated by dieter goldkuhle the 26 foot window celebrates the majesty and mystery of creation. The west rose window.

The west rose window is the largest of the cathedral s three rose windows measuring 15 42 metres in diameter. Rose window if you ve ever visited a cathedral you might have noticed a dramatic circular stained glass window dominating one of the walls. This type of window is called a rose window or a wheel. Rose window also called wheel window in gothic architecture decorated circular window often glazed with stained glass.

The windows are divided into segments by stone mullions and tracery. Every detail of the rose windows was carefully planned to give a message to onlookers. This relationship signifies the link between our journey of life and the last judgement which is the theme of this window. These windows were made to tell a story and we ll focus on the north rose window specifically to explain how this is done.

The term rose window was not used before the 17th century and according to the oxford english dictionary among other authorities comes from the english flower name rose. But the cathedral also reflects the twentieth century.