The ground plan of Medieval European cathedrals is usually laid out in the shape of a cross, with rose windows often incorporated into the facades and transepts of the building. Notre Dame has several rose windows facing north, south, and west, with the south window being the most famous and measuring 13m in diameter. The windows are all illuminated by natural light throughout the day, casting colorful light onto the walls and floor of the cathedral.
Despite their association with Gothic churches and Catholicism, historians believe that rose windows were inspired by early architectural styles from the Roman Empire and various Islamic empires that came afterward. Indeed, intricate window designs similar to rose windows appeared in the Middle East some 500 years before the construction of Notre Dame began. At the time, Islamic and Christian empires often fought each other. Nonetheless, the popularity of the rose window demonstrates that artistic expression can transcend time, culture and religion.
Photo: AdobeStock 照片： AdobeStock
中世紀歐洲大教堂的平面配置圖通常是十字形的，而玫瑰窗經常被納入建築的正面和耳堂。巴黎聖母院有好幾個玫瑰窗，分別面向北、南和西邊，其中南面那扇窗最為著名，其直徑達十三公尺。這些窗戶在白天都被自然光照亮，將彩色的光線投射到該座堂的牆壁和地板上。
儘管玫瑰窗與哥德式教堂和天主教密切相關，但歷史學家認為玫瑰窗的靈感來自羅馬帝國和隨後的各種伊斯蘭帝國的早期建築風格。在巴黎聖母院開始建造的約五百年前，中東地區的確就已經出現了類似玫瑰窗的精美窗戶設計。當時，伊斯蘭和基督教帝國之間經常發生戰爭。然而，玫瑰窗的流行表明，藝術表現可以超越時間、文化和宗教。
Word in Use
4. architecture n. 建築 architectural a. 建築的
► Venice is celebrated for its canals and beautiful architecture.
威尼斯以其運河及漂亮的建築聞名。
► We will build the bridge according to the architectural plan you gave us.
我們將根據你交給我們的建築計畫建造那座橋。
5. artistic a. 富有藝術性的
► Renoir’s paintings have great artistic value.
雷諾瓦的畫作具有很高的藝術價值。
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental condition marked by disruptions in brain-signaling that causes people to behave, communicate, interact and learn in atypical ways. Autism diagnoses in the US have increased significantly since 2000, intensifying public concern over what might contribute to its prevalence. Here is what you need to know. HOW IS AUTISM DIAGNOSED? There are no objective tools for diagnosing autism, such as blood tests or brain scans. Instead, diagnoses are made based on observations and interviews. The term “spectrum” reflects the wide range of possible manifestations. Some people with ASD might have good conversation skills, while others might
A: When is the Lantern Festival? B: The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, which fell on Feb. 12 this year. A: Oh no! Did I miss the 2025 Taipei Lantern Festival? B: Yes, you did. But you can still go to the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taoyuan, which will run until this Sunday. A: Let’s go admire the exuberant lanterns. A: 元宵節到底是哪一天？ B: 就是農曆1月15日啊，今年則落在國曆2月12日。 A: 喔不，我是不是錯過了2025台北燈節？ B: 是的，但你還可以去桃園的2025台灣燈會，活動將持續至週日。 A: 那我們去欣賞豐富的花燈秀吧！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
Every February, the small town of Ptuj in Slovenia comes alive with the vibrant celebration of its famous carnival. This festival, with its deep historical roots, is a cherished tradition where local residents come together to ward off the winter cold and embrace the arrival of spring. Participants dress up in furry costumes, transforming into kurenti, mythical monsters believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune for the new year. Although the exact origins of the Ptuj carnival remain a mystery, it is firmly rooted in ancient Slavic and Illyrian cultures. The modern form of the carnival
A: What’s the theme of the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival’s main lantern? B: The theme is “Paradise,” and the main lantern is a snake-shaped “infinity” symbol that features a lighting show every half an hour. A: Cool, I heard that there are over 300 lanterns. B: There are even giant lanterns in the shape of Pikachu and some other popular Pokemon characters. A: Let’s go now. A: 2025台灣燈會主燈的主題是什麼？ B: 主題是「無限樂園」！主燈的造型則是蛇形的數學「無限號」，主燈每半小時還有一次燈光秀。 A: 酷喔，聽說總共有300多件花燈作品。 B: 甚至還有皮卡丘和其他熱門寶可夢角色的巨型花燈呢。 A: 哇我們現在就出發吧！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
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