What Is a Rose Window?
Also known as a Catherine window, the rose window is a circular window that is found in many houses of worship and other buildings that are built in the Gothic style. The inner portion of the window is normally segregated into different sections. When stained glass is used in each section, the window often depicts a design that is intended to represent a particular event in religious or secular history. There are a number of different designs for the rose window. One of the most basic examples is known as the spoke window. This configuration gives the window an appearance that is very similar to that of a spoked wheel. The sections in the design are uniform in size and taper down to a central hub that is found in the middle of the window itself. Rose windows designed for use in Christian cathedrals and churches are often constructed with the use of stained glass. Rose stained glass windows are sometimes positioned over pulpit or chancel areas, or at a location overlooking the congregat
A rose window is a circular stained glass window placed in the north and south transepts of gothic churches. Tradition say that the north is mostly made of blue glass and the south is composed mostly of red. Where were they used? These were put in Notre Dame (Our Lady) gothic churches in France. In modern day construction, if they wish to use a rose window it is placed above the church’s narthex. Why did they make them? Rose windows are a symbol of the Virgin Mary. Notre Dame churches are dedicated to Mary. At the time, most churches were Notre Dame churches because the gothic age fell during the cult of the virgin where Mary was seen as the queen of heaven and was given as much attention as God himself. In art Mary is depicted wearing blue with a red inner layer, this is why the windows are colored as they are. Also, during the gothic age a new system of construction was found that allows the churches to open up the triforium area, that was once stone to bear the weight of the roof, f
