Crystal Cathedral Research Paper

As I exited the metro bus and stepped into the cold, wet, and way-too-early Saturday morning air, my mind pounded with the self-scolding, “Why am I awake. Why am I awake?”. The second I looked up at the grey-blue sky, however, all dread evaporated. Instead, the gorgeous sight ahead filled me with an incredulous awe. The Washington National Cathedral stood towering in cream-colored splendor, its richly detailed Gothic architecture almost too picturesque to fathom. Intricate spires stood proudly against the low-hanging clouds, as if taunting them to rain. Stunned, I began to follow my friends along a blue stone path surrounded by vivid greenery. As I walked, the chill air invigorated my lungs with each breath, filling me with a sort of peaceful energy. The path led to a smaller, yet still grandiose building which we entered through two large glass doors.

in detailed carvings. The new cathedral was built to stabilize the older cathedral. There is an

The narrator in “The Cathedral” begins the story with the issue of hesitation in seeing the light. The light in this story just like the light in Plato’s “Myth of the Cave” represents reality. The narrator expresses the fear of expressing reality when he said “ I wasn’t

Nestled among the modern skyscrapers of Midtown Manhattan, you could be forgiven for mistaking the striking Gothic architecture of St. Patrick’s Cathedral as a medieval artifact in the heart of New York City. Though not quite that old, the storied cathedral is renowned for its beautiful Neo-Gothic design and rich history. Not too many people, however, realize the true story behind one of New York City’s most iconic and celebrated landmarks. Here’s a quick look at the hidden history of the famed St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Memorials to the nation such as the national cathedral symbolize many things to us that’s why memorials have importance to us they symbolize something major to us such as a battle or religion. If we did not have these memorials we wouldn't remember these events that took place and would forget them as if they were nothing so we create memorials to remind us each day of a certain day or event that took place such as ww2 vietnam or korean war.

believe in it as it says: “The truth is, cathedrals don’t mean anything special to me” (12). Then

The narrator struggles to adequately describe the magnitude or the significance of cathedrals and finally, somewhat exasperatedly, says that “I can’t do any more than I’ve done...the truth is, cathedrals don’t mean anything special to me.” Cathedrals held no personal significance to the narrator, which rendered them indescribable in his world. He could look at cathedrals on television, but he could not see cathedrals for anything more than tall buildings. After Robert encourages the narrator to draw cathedrals with his eyes closed, it is apparent that the narrator begins to experience a sort of awakening to a different kind of vision saying that he “didn’t feel like he was inside of anything.” But even in the last line of the story, the narrator gives a hollow and vague response: “it’s really

Between the second century BCE and the early first century CE, buddhist art was not represented as human form rather than symbols. Symbols were represented by the buddha's footprints, or a stupa. The Great Stupa is located in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India and was founded in the 3rd century BCE. The stupa is derived as burial mounds for buddhas, holding the remains of their cremation. The main body of the stupa or dome represents the world mountains, which rises through the center of the buddha universe. The railing encloses the top of mast bearing three stone disks or “umbrellas” represent the three jewels of buddhism: Siddhartha Gautama, sangha, and dharma.

At the top of the monument is Faith. Faith is pointing her finger to heaven where God is, and in her hand is the Bible. She has a star on her head because she is given wisdom. Without Faith the rest of the formula falls apart. Under Faith are four statues, Morality, Law, Education and Liberty.

“The Bishop's Road is awfully full today,”said Alaric. The year is 1871, eight years after the Bishop’s Road, an underground train, first opened to the world. We’re on our way back to our house from the festival today, some delinquents stole a bundle fireworks and decided to reenact America’s revolution. Although as dangerous as it was, the idea was a big success. Lots of drinking, dancing, the whole nine yards. That would seem a likely reason for the state of the Bishop’s Road as well.

In this essay, I will compare and contrast two sacred spaces; Ise Jingu of Japan and the Great Stupa in India. First I will describe the sacred spaces and their artistic features, values and importance. Afterwards, will come the analysis comparing the two in architectural design and decisions, rather than the difference of religious belief or purpose.

It is imperative to consider historical structures that remain a part of the “modern” times, especially in an era where the design “ideals” move further into a rather minimalistic focus. Therefore, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, located in New York, is my structure of interest. The cathedral is constructed around a Neo-Gothic-style and it is considered one of the city’s most prominent landmarks, as it could be said that the narrative of the cathedral mirrors the development of the city itself. As many of the compositions already analyzed in class, it holds a meaning both sacred and political, as it was intended to serve, beyond its natural parochial purpose, as a symbol of democracy and religious tolerance. Furthermore, it served as a learning institution

The Image was taken in Taiwan, Taipei. Longshan temple is a landmark temple in Taipei. Personally, I think it is the most Must-See attraction in Taipei. Here, you can feel the good spirits. Here is a man standing and doing spiritual prayers. The other picture shows you the image of the entry to the holy place during the evening.

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Reims, northeast of Paris near Champagne was the coronation church of the kings of France and was an educational and cultural center. Also built of limestone, the architecture of the Reims Cathedral features Gothic style. It symbolizes an Early Gothic, Radiant Gothic and Flamboyant Gothic. The Reims Cathedral depicts a classic harmonic facade containing four levels. Its interior is defined by its towering heights and narrow proportions, and elaborate sculptural works. Because of the high quality of workmanship and materials used, Reims Cathedral features some of the most beautiful gothic art in existence. Five different cathedrals have been on the site on which Reims cathedral now sits since 401 CE. The current cathedral was built in 1211, after the previous cathedral had burned down. The new building was almost entirely finished by the end of the thirteenth century. 88 gargoyles were counted on the Reims Cathedral and are mainly used to drain off rainwater and are exceptional pieces of work, but do show the slight difference between Gothic and Romanesque styles. The stained glass windows are a beautiful part of Reims despite being damaged or ruined several times in the 18th century; the cathedral still has many 13th century stained glass windows, in the upper parts of the nave, choir and transept. On the opposite side of the great western portal, the Great Rose Window, dating from the end of the 13th century, represents “the Crowning

St. Paul’s Cathedral, in London, England, was designed by architect Sir Christopher Wren. Approval of this most significant architectural project took six years just for the plan. Construction, which began in 1675, took thirty-five years until finally complete in 1710. It was built to replace a church that had been leveled by the Great Fire of 1666. St. Paul's is the largest cathedral in England, and said to be Wren's masterpiece. He brought a range of new forms, and architectural combination into English architecture. Masonry, brick, timber, and cut stone were used to form the structure of the cathedral. St. Paul’s Cathedral has been one of the main socially significant buildings in London. Cathedrals all around, have always played a