meaning and picture of medieval church symbols used in stainglass windows

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Request for Question Clarification by scriptor-ga on 15 Jul 2005 18:46 PDT

What specific windows in what specific church?

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Clarification of Question by robyman-ga on 16 Jul 2005 01:34 PDT

my son is doing a project and has to make a stained glass window for
history. The requirements are that he should use 7 symbols that are
common to medieval churches and explain what each symbol means. I am
thinking of things like the cross and maybe a chalice  but i don't
know if this is correct or what they may mean, and i can't think of
any others - hope this will help   - Thankyou

Hello robyman-ga,

What a fun project to research and for your son to complete. I?ve
found lots of resources to help him/you with designing an excellent
stained glass window. I?ve collected a variety of resources that tell
the history of medieval stained glass and illustrate it with lots of
pictures.

One of the purposes of medieval stained glass windows was to tell
stories to the worshipers, many of whom could not read. The stories
illustrated in the windows told biblical or historical stories of the
church and the saints and used a variety of symbols.

In addition to the iconic symbols that you mentioned like chalice or
cross the medieval windows also used a symbolic language of flowers
and a bestiary of real and mythical creatures. I?ve given you a
selection of resources that you can explore to find some examples. In
addition, many of the historical figures in the life of Christ and the
Church were also represented by traditional symbols such as a
particular animal or object. The links I?ve provided should help you
explore the possibilities.

Here are some themes that were frequently used in stained glass windows:

Iconic symbols associated with Christ?s life and death: cross, nails,
crown of thorns, fish, alpha and omega, chalice, host, bread and wine,
lamb, etc.

Symbols from the life of Christ: Any story from the life of Christ
might be illustrated in stained glass windows.

Mary, the Mother of God, Madonna with Child, the Holy Family.

Lives of the apostles and the saints.

Best wishes for your son on a very successful art project creating a
stained glass window using medieval symbolism.

~ czh ~


http://images.google.com/images?svnum=100&hl=en&lr=&c2coff=1&q=medieval+stained+glass
Image search for < medieval stained glass >

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http://images.google.com/images?svnum=100&hl=en&lr=&c2coff=1&q=gothic+stained+glass
Image search for < gothic stained glass >

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http://www.ariadne.org/studio/michelli/sgmedieval.html
Medieval Stained Glass

***** This site offers links to the pages of about a dozen cathedrals
with famous stained glass windows.

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http://home.bawue.de/~wmwerner/essling/english/index.html
Medieval stained glass windows from Esslingen

***** This page offers history along with lots of images.

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http://www.elore.com/Gothic/Learning/rose_windows.htm
Rose Windows

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http://myweb.lmu.edu/fjust/Evangelists_Symbols.htm
Symbols of the Four Evangelists

Christian tradition has long connected the authors of the four
canonical Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) with the four "living
creatures" that surround God's throne, as described in Rev 4:7,

***** This site offers links to more than a dozen churches that have
stained glass or other images of the four evangelists and their
symbols.

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http://www.udayton.edu/mary/gallery/exhibits/sarahhall/millennium.html 
Image and Evolution: A Journey with Mary through a Millennium of Stained Glass

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http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/popculture/PfourM.html
In the middle ages ? stained glass

***** This site offers some excellent historical explanations and
includes some images of popular symbols.

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http://www.stainedglassmuseum.com/
The Stained Glass Museum

http://www.stainedglassmuseum.com/collections/subfram.htm
Please Click here to browse the Stained Glass Museum Catalogue
Index of subjects

***** Scroll through the subject index and choose whatever symbols
appeal to you. Most are illustrated with photos of stained glass.

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http://www.alyseus.com/inglese/simbolo/universo.htm
The value of symbols during the middle ages

***** This is a good discussion of the common symbols used in medieval
art that was used in stained glass as well.

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http://ww2.netnitco.net/users/legend01/
ChristStory Christian Legends & Symbols

***** You can use this page to help you interpret the symbols you find
in medieval stained glass.

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http://www.hevanet.com/scribe/1/09/09b/Symbols%20of%20Christ1.htm
Symbols of Christ




SEARCH STRATEGY

medieval stained glass windows
medieval stained glass symbols
medieval symbols

thanks - the info was great and we got exactly what we needed - i
learned a lot myself!

HI,
I started searching for Chartre Cathedral and then "stained glass":

http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/staff/CarlSpears/middle_ages/stained_glass.html

http://www.chartres-csm.org/us_fixe/index.html
    and click on the left on program for more information

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/glas/hd_glas.htm
    click on appropriate red words on this and following pages

These sites not only give several photos but also some text on the subject.

The symbolism in stained glass windows is extensive, as it has been
expressed, they were to Bible in comic book form for the common people
who could not read.

The whole story and much about patron saints is represented.

Symbols:  The Cross, of course; the symbols of Christ's martyrdom:
lance, nails, crown of thorns;  the dove as a symbol of the Holy
Spirit;  the chalice for the promise of redemption and resurection
(better check those :)  );  The symbols of the evangelists:
http://myweb.lmu.edu/fjust/Evangelists_Symbols.htm

the annunciation of Mary with a lily as a symbol of purity (her
virginity) and the dove or a ray of light descending to represent the
Holy Spirit;
(also used in representations of Pentacost);
Do I need to go on?

Good luck, Myoarin