JACK-PARIS-Notre Dame stroll, more mysteries unexplained

(Copyright Gilette and Media-cartes)

And who the examples of asymmetry are numerous:
-contrary to a first, superficial impression of harmonious balance,
the towers are not identical, the left -south- one being of greater
volume; the main, central portal is of course larger than the other
two, but looking at these you notice that they are dissimilar, since
for example the one on the left boasts a gable absent from that one
the right. Important is the cluster of problems concerning the GALLERY
OF KINGS, also asymmetrical since ( discounting the four standing
forward on pillars) the left section counting eight kings, the central
section nine and the right section only seven. YOU AR LOOKING at 19th
century replicas here since the originals (fragments were discovered
in 1977 and are exhibited in the muse de Cluny) were smashed during
the revolution. But the Revolutionaries could count and took the royal
statues as representatives of the French monarchy, rather than as the
church claimed the Kings of Juda, of whose there were some 15 but not
28 as here. Specialists affirm that the extra 13 figures were of royal
race eve though they did not actually reign. Still other experts doubt
this simple explanation. They argue that 28 is the number of days in
the lunar month whose cycle was vital, for the cult of ISIS, known to
have flourished in secret in medieval Paris. Indeed, the theory has
been advanced that Notre Dame is a book of hermetic or esoteric
knowledge. Anything to do with these masons chiseling away in their
lodges below? One of Notre Dame's rose windows shows Mary dressed in
green and red rather than in the usual blue.
Another perplexing case of asymmetry is posed by the cathedral floor
plan. Contrary to those printed in several guides, it is not straight
but veers slightly off the north, as is visible when you stand inside,
to the right (south) of the main altar, and look westwards to the main
portals. Various explanations have been given: as building progressed
from choir to nave, the ground may have become more soggy; a property
owner might have refused to cede a parcel of land; the cruciform
layout of the church better represents Christ on the cross with his
twist, since his head was not upright but lolled to one side;
humankind should never attempt to imitate God's perfection, so, out of
humility, asymmetry would have been built into the design. Viewed from
the spot indicated above, the slightly curving sweep of the nave is
not predictable, but suggests infinity, eternity; there may also been
some occult meaning, or perhaps the builders didn't care about
symmetry. Mr.Gilette doesn't know the answer to this enigma: please
feel free to choose the one you like best, or to invent one of your
own!
THE SAINT-ANNE PORTAL. More mysteries (as well as majesty)
The date of the oldest part (lintel and tympanum has been variously
estimated 1140 and 1175. Clearly, the somewhat rigid Romanesque
solemnity of Mary and Jesus pre-date the much more fluid Gothic
representation of other portals-but by how much? And who are the
bishop (standing left) and the monarch (right kneeling) who flank the
Virgin just behind the two angels, closest to her? Tradition has it
that they are respectively Maurice de Sully and the then reigning king
Louis VII, in whose hands is a scroll announcing to Mary and Jesus the
decision to build Notre-Dame. A current theory suggests that these
personages may be the 6th century Bishop St.Germain and king
Childebert announcing the construction of Saint-Germain des Prés.(see
stroll 2 stop 1)

Bibliography:

(Folder no 6 containing stroll number 6 of Pierre Gilette's series
about Paris through the ages edited by Media-Cartes They are still
obtainable by mailing to )

Jack
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Visit my personal website where you'll find my
travel tips, hotel suggestions, and restaurant
reviews for Paris, most regions of France, Belgium,
Amsterdam and Venice.
http://www.jack-travel.com/
personal contact address:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jack
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit my personal website where you'll find my
travel tips, hotel suggestions, and restaurant
reviews for Paris, most regions of France, Belgium,
Amsterdam and Venice.
http://www.jack-travel.com/
personal contact address:
----------------------------------------------------------------------