Secrets of the Knights Templar by S.J. Hodge

Author:S.J. Hodge [Hodge, S.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Quercus
Published: 2013-03-25T16:00:00+00:00

Sacred geometry

Little has been documented about Templar Mason brothers, but this was not unusual. Medieval masons in general were secretive, which has stimulated the beliefs that many of them practised ‘sacred geometry’. The notion of sacred geometry in architecture arises from the perfect proportions and ratios and geometric shapes found in some ancient religious buildings. These have been recognized in buildings constructed by various different cultures. As certain proportions and ratios have been used in Byzantine, Gothic and some Templar churches, these have been claimed by many to have been constructed on the principles of sacred geometry, although this has not been substantiated. The Templars learned much about building from the Byzantine and Islamic architecture they were familiar with in the East, and both Byzantine and Islamic buildings standing at that time were constructed with complex and balanced proportions. The principles of sacred geometry are believed by some to have been handed down from ancient builders, including the architects of Solomon’s Temple. Some claim that after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE, the knowledge of sacred geometry was lost until the Templars rediscovered it when they excavated beneath Temple Mount in around 1127. It was soon after this time that Gothic architecture developed, which has inspired some to make links with these concepts. Others suggest that many of the advanced developments and proportions of Western architecture evolved from European builders learning from their previous counterparts in the East.

Various undeciphered symbols have been found carved on the walls of some Templar buildings and these have given rise to the theory that they are also linked with the ancient understanding of geometry and proportion. The pentagram is a particular symbol that has given rise to speculation that the Templars had secret links with Islamic masons, who also used pentagrams in their architecture, but pentagrams have been used by many diverse cultures for different reasons. Some geometric symbols have been found on the walls of a tower in Chinon Castle where 60 Templars were imprisoned in 1308. The symbols include stars, grids and hand shapes with hearts on them. Similar carvings have been found at Domme in France where further Templars were imprisoned at the same time. Although still not understood fully, it has been conjectured that these are connected with sacred geometry, or they could simply be a code used by the Templars. Some have speculated that the symbols are linked with Templar knowledge and admiration of Islamic and Byzantine architecture, but again, nothing has been proved. As the Templars learned much from their Islamic neighbours about medicine, mathematics, architecture and literature, this is plausible, but – apart from the pentagram – the Templar symbols and symbols found in other culture’s buildings do not correspond.

Fundamentally, the term ‘sacred geometry’ encompasses certain religious, philosophical and spiritual beliefs that have been used by various cultures in their religious architecture. It is described as geometric shapes and ratios used in the planning and construction of churches, temples, mosques, monuments, altars, tabernacles and consecrated outside

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