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The Symbolism of Churches and Church Ornaments: A Translation of the First Book of the Rationale Divinorum OfficiorumDurand, Guillaume

Religion

The Symbolism of Churches and Church Ornaments: A Translation of the First Book of the Rationale Divinorum Officiorum

Name: The Symbolism of Churches and Church Ornaments: A Translation of the First Book of the Rationale Divinorum Officiorum
Author: Durand, Guillaume

Durand, Guillaume

Christian art and symbolism; Church architecture

II. ANALOGICAL.
      i. Examples of other nations.
          (a) Jews.
              (1) Temple rites.
              (2) Legal observances.
              (3) Sacred books.

      (b) Turks.

      (c) Infidels.
          (1) Hindu and Egyptian Mythology
          (2) Persian Poetry.

      (d) Heretics.

{xvi}

      ii. From Nature.
          (a) Trinity.
          (b) Resurrection.
          (c) Self-sacrifice,

      iii. From Art.
          (a) Sculpture,
          (b) Painting.
          (c) Music.
          (d) Language of Flowers.

      iv. Parabolical teaching.


  III. PHILOSOPHICAL.

    Objective answering to Subjective.
    All effect sacramental of the efficient.
    Sacramentality of all Religion.
    Ritualism peculiarly and necessarily sacramental.
    Church Architecture, a condition of Ritualism.
    Necessities induce accidents: and these material expressions.
    Example:
       Necessities of Ritualism, and their expressions in earlier
       and later ages.
    Hence Symbolism.
        Essential.
        Intended.
        Conventional, which again becomes intended.


  IV. ANALYTICAL.
      1. Cruciformity.
      2. Ascent to Altar.
      3. Orientation.
      4. Verticality.

  V. INDUCTIVE.
      Express and continuous testimony.
          (a) Apostolical Constitutions.
          (b) Eusebius.
          (c) Symbolical writers.
      Actual examples.

  VI. RECAPITULATION.


  B. EXAMPLES OF SYMBOLISM.
      I. DOCTRINES.
          (a) The Holy Trinity, set forth in
              i. Nave and Two Aisles.
              ii. Chancel, Nave and Apse,
              iii. Clerestory, Triforium, and Pier Arches,
              iv. Triple windows.
              v. Altar steps.
              vi. Triplicity of mouldings,
              vii. Minor details.

          (b) Regeneration.
              i. The octagonal form of Fonts,
              ii. The octagonal form of Piers,
              iii. Fishes.
          (c) Atonement.
              i. Cruciformity.
              ii. Deviation of Orientation.
              iii. Double Cross,
              iv. The threat Rood.
              v. Details.

          (d) Communion of Saints.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The Symbolism of Churches and Church Ornaments: A Translation of the First Book of the Rationale Divinorum Officiorum

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