The Significance of Architectural Symbolism and Iconography

When it comes to architecture, symbolism plays an essential role. It allows architects to convey their thoughts and convey them to the general public.

There are many buildings around the world with symbolic meanings that add an interesting flair. They make the structures more relatable for those who observe them and increase interest among viewers.

The Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is one of the world’s most revered monuments. Built under Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to commemorate his wife, it has long stood as a testament to the love and devotion between man and nature.

The Taj Mahal’s stunning beauty and symmetry will take your breath away. Architects created its amazing three-dimensional effect by manipulating white marble into graceful three-dimensional forms that showcased light from all directions.

Minarets and pointed domes add to this effect, giving the appearance of something much lighter than several tons of stone. According to Open The Magazine, the domes’ shapes create an illusion of symmetry that’s almost unnoticeable to the human eye.

The grounds surrounding the Taj Mahal play an integral role in its design. Arranged in geometric gardens designed to coexist harmoniously with its buildings, they create an aura of peace and spirituality within the structure.

The Pantheon

The Pantheon stands as one of the most renowned monuments in Rome and has come to represent Christianity over paganism, even though it was originally constructed as a pagan temple.

Pantheon stands as an iconic representation of religious history and architecture alike, both of which it represents. Its interior space resembles that of a cylinder with several niches, columns, and pilasters to further cement this reputation.

An integral component of this structure is the Oculus, or circular opening just inside of Rome’s domes, renowned as one of its significant architectural features and home to numerous legends and stories associated with it.

Its tombs contain many of Rome’s royalty including King Vittorio Emanuele II, King Umberto I, and renowned painter Raphael; furthermore, it holds many martyrs since being converted to Christian use. As well as this being an extremely popular tourist spot and site it also remains one of Rome’s best-preserved monuments.

The White House

The White House is one of the world’s most iconic buildings, serving as the home and workplace to the President of the United States since 1800. A symbol of democracy, freedom, and power, its two centuries in operation serve as an everlasting reminder that democracy still reigns supreme.

Construction on the White House began in 1792 under James Hoban, an Irish architect from Dublin who is widely thought to have taken his inspiration from Leinster House in Dublin.

Hoban was not the only individual to submit an entry to this competition; however, his classic European designs earned him praise and earned him the title “supervisor of public buildings.”

Over time, several renovations were conducted at the White House; it remains very similar to its original layout. Built-in Neoclassical style with sandstone construction and colonnades enclosing it.

Westminster Cathedral

Westminster Cathedral holds great architectural and iconographic significance throughout its history, boasting one of the world’s largest collections of carved roof bosses.

These cross-sectioned ribs tell the tales of various people: musicians, kings, popes, noblemen, and peasants alike.

As you glance upward, you may also discover an impressive collection of carved bosses thought to be the largest in the world – their faces range from cheerful to terrifying!

Edith Cavell’s tomb, which helped thousands escape Belgium during World War One and was laid to rest here on Armistice Day 1920, stands out.