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The Celestial Key: Heaven Projected on Earth

In: Architecture and Mathematics from Antiquity to the Future

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  • Niels Bandholm

Abstract

The stereographic projection of the Heavenly Sphere used in an astrolabe is a remarkable metaphor for the connection between Heaven and Earth, and as the medieval churches are treasure shrines for the holy union of heaven and earth, their placements and proportions are chosen accordingly. Stereographic projection is proposed as the key to the locations of nearly all of the 15 medieval churches built from 1150 to 1250 on the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. The stereographic projection generates the specific ratio of √7 divided by √3 and angles of 33.2° and 56.8°, and leads to a unique astrolabe construction with angles of 40.9° and 10.9°. This ratio and these angles (to the north) are found for nine pairs of distances and half-distances between churches. The high degree of accuracy makes it highly improbable that the arrangement was by chance. Furthermore, some vectors point to pre-Christian holy places: Ertholmene and Ales Stenar in Sweden. The same key has been found in the measure and proportions of pre-Gothic buildings, and in Christian and Celtic iconography.

Suggested Citation

  • Niels Bandholm, 2015. "The Celestial Key: Heaven Projected on Earth," Springer Books, in: Kim Williams & Michael J. Ostwald (ed.), Architecture and Mathematics from Antiquity to the Future, edition 127, chapter 0, pages 399-422, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-319-00137-1_28
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-00137-1_28
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