Medieval Cathedrals and their Meanings

Medieval Cathedrals and their Meanings

Excerpted from an essay entitled 'Medieval Thought and its Architectural Expression'; Dec 1999

The order imposed by geometry was a direct connection to God. Those attending the cathedral would have had this mental understanding, and therefore the innumerable geometrical themes and sub-themes of the cathedral would reverberate with meaning. The geometry therefore was not a self-referential exercise, but rather a manifestation of a higher order. This geometry is witnessed in plan and section, in the proportioning of elements relative to each other, and in the design of the elements themselves.

The orientation of the cathedral also held considerable significance. The long axis of the cathedral was set in an east-west direction. The entrance was on the west, and the chapels were on the east.

Abbot Suger had the following inscription placed on the main (west) door to St Denis:

Whoever thou art, if thou seekest to extol the glory of these doors,
Marvel not at the gold and the expense but at the craftsmanship of the work.
Bright is the noble work; but, being nobly bright, the work
Should brighten the minds, so that they may travel, through the true lights,
To the True Light where Christ is the true door.
In what manner it be inherent in this world the golden door defines:
The dull mind rises in truth through that which is material
And, in seeing this light, is resurrected from its former submersion.6

The progression from west to east signified man’s progression towards God, with the eastern end chapels (the rising sun) being the culmination with God. There are doors on all elevations except the east, as this is a destination and not an area of transition.

Chartres, cross section (int72).

Chartres, interior elevation (int45)

Chartres, south elevation (int44)

Gothic canopy supports showing the use of geometry (sim02)

Chartres. Geometrical construction of the apse (cha01)

Progression from west (entrance)to east signifies the pilgrim’s progress towards God (jam04).

Chartres, state of the construction works in 1210 (jam01)