EARTH AND HER SPECIAL PLACES: 36 Some SACRED GEOMETRY (9)

Eight is the first cubic number (2x2x2) and the number of cosmic order, equilibrium, perfection, infinity (in mathematics represented by a laid down eight), regeneration, renewal and rebirth (hence the octagonal form of baptismal fonts). In Buddhism, the number eight represents the eightfold path to overcome suffering: 1. right knowledge, 2. right aspiration, 3. right speech, 4. right behavior, 5. right livelihood, 6. right effort, 7. right mindfulness, 8. right absorption (the eight spoke Dharma wheel). In the east, eight also represents the eight forms of Shiva and the eightfold path of Taoism. In ancient Egypt, eight was the number of cosmic order. The Celtic wheel of the year has also eight divisions, representing the solstices, the equinoxes and the beginning of the four seasons. And the Medieval wheel of fortune has also eight spokes.

In early Gothic architecture, the octagon is mostly used in rose windows, pillars and baptismal fonts, rarely in the ground plan. But before and after the Gothic period, the list of octagonal buildings is impressive: the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, the Tower of the Winds in Athens, the palatine chapel in Aachen, the basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna Italy, the Liaodi pagoda in China, the octagonal Lamp Tower in India, the Laon Templar chapel in France, the abbey church of Trizay in France, Ely cathedral in England, to name only a few.