The Science and Religion behind Western Classical Architecture—Illustrated by the Examples of the Pantheon and Notre Dame Cathedral

Abstract

Architecture is the language of the earth, and light is the language of the sky. When the architecture opens a hole, the flowing light tilts down, and a dialogue between man and God unfolds, the science and religion behind it also tells a story. Great architects can not only build in static space, but also capture the dynamic light to become a part of the building. This paper takes the Pantheon and Notre Dame as examples to explore the scientific connotation and humanistic spirit behind them.