Sacred Geometry: Divine Forms and Geometric Symbolism
Introduction to Sacred Geometry
This work presents an essential monograph that allows readers to approach one of the most beautiful, profound, and fascinating topics of mathematical symbolism: the use of geometric forms in the worship of the divine. The eternal and immutable character of Geometry has always fascinated the human intellect, producing incorruptible forms that are unassailable by time, independent of places and the transience of cultures.
Theoretical Foundations
As Plato said, "God himself geometrizes." Geometric forms, according to Plato, are true geometric forces - living forces that the soul must acquire and make its own in order to reach Truth. Geometry channels forces, evokes them, organizes them, arranges them according to an archetypal order, and helps the soul to assimilate them, making it increasingly participatory in Truth and therefore increasingly Beautiful.
Number and Form
Geometry is one and eternal, shining in the mind of God, as Kepler expressed it. When we approach the study of the symbolic and ritual use of geometric forms, we must refer to a theological and philosophical context that is generally very distant from the ordinary vision of contemporary geometry. Number, absolute, transcendent, eternal, without figure and without form, has in geometry its first and universal language. Geometric forms and figures constitute a silent language of visualized Numbers - they are the natural forms of Number.
Practical Applications
The book explores practical applications including Gothic temple construction, Christian iconography, and the Russian iconographic tradition. Special attention is given to meditation practices using geometric forms and centers of force. Each geometric symbol serves as a powerful tool to strengthen and favor contact with the Divine and its Powers, but cannot be considered separate from the experiencing consciousness.
Gothic Architecture
Analysis of sacred geometry in Gothic cathedrals, including foundation principles, constructive modules, and the geometric plan of Reims Cathedral with its musical elevations.
Christian Iconography
Exploration of the theology of presence, geometry in icons, the Russian tradition and the five-pointed star, including the geometric structure of Rublev's Trinity.
Symbolic Geometry
Understanding geometric operations, central points, hermetic symbolism, and traditional symbolic elements in sacred contexts.
The Beauty of Geometric Study
The study of geometry is, in ultimate analysis, the study of Beauty. While mathematicians seek to penetrate the meaning of numbers in search of truth through abstract numerical formulas, they seek realization - that is, beauty - through the power of geometric forms. This appears to be the marvelous scope of geometric symbols, true aids for ascetics who solicit the transforming process of consciousness.