One defining aspect of the Gothic cathedrals is their sacred geometry. Subtly embedded throughout the cathedrals are nods to this practice that brought harmony, proportion, and basic intelligibility.
The master builders used geometry to remind us that all aspects of the cathedral are intentional. One of the most basic expressions of this geometry—numbers expressed spatially—is the use of circles and squares.
The circle is absolute, eternal, returning back to itself—representing the absolute perfection of God.
With its four sides, the square represents the seasons, the winds, the points on a compass—all symbolizing the created universe.
In his new film, “Heaven in Stone and Glass,” Bishop Barron walks viewers through the sacred geometry, harmony, and proportion of the great Gothic cathedrals, sharing the language and reason of these sacred spaces.
In theaters soon!