If you’ve ever seen detailed photographs of Paris’s Notre Dame cathedral, you may have noticed a striking feature of the building: large, circular windows divided by intricately arranged stonework radiating out from a central point like flower petals. The stonework encases colorful stained-glass windowpanes full of Catholic icons and symbolism.
Called a “rose window,” this adornment can be found in cathedrals across Europe, although the style was most popular in France. The rose window is a key element of “Gothic architecture,” a highly ornate style of architecture popular from Europe’s High Middle Ages to the Late Middle Ages, roughly 11th century to 15th century. During that era, most artistic expression was primarily reserved for religious artwork and buildings, and the rose window was no exception.
如果你曾經看過巴黎聖母院（編按：正式名稱為巴黎聖母主教座堂）的詳細照片，那你可能會注意到該建築物的一個顯著特徵：巨大的圓形窗戶被錯綜複雜的石雕分割開來，像花瓣一樣從中心點向外蔓延。這些石雕圍繞在色彩斑斕的彩色玻璃窗四周，充滿了天主教的聖像和象徵。
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片： AdobeStock
這種裝飾被稱為「玫瑰窗」，在歐洲各地的大教堂中都可以看見，不過這種風格在法國最為流行。玫瑰窗是「哥德式建築」的一個重要元素，這種高度裝飾性的建築風格在歐洲的中世紀盛期到晚期（大約十一至十五世紀）很流行。在那個時代，大部分的藝術表現主要集中在宗教藝術和建築上，玫瑰窗也不例外。
Word in Use
1. striking a. 顯著的
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片： AdobeStock
There are striking similarities between the two commercial ventures.
這兩件商業投資案有顯著的雷同之處。
2. circular a. 圓形的，環形的
The full moon has a circular shape.
滿月的形狀是圓的。
3. radiate vi. 自中心輻射出；向周圍伸展
Five roads radiate from the square.
五條道路由廣場向四處延伸。
Practical Phrases
1. be reserved for... 保留給……，專供……
This room is reserved for VIPs only.
這間房間專供貴賓使用。
2. be no exception 不例外
Everyone was glad to leave the office on Friday evening, and the boss was no exception.
每個人在星期五傍晚下班時都很高興，老闆也不例外。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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