Have you ever stared up at a massive rose window in a Gothic cathedral like Notre-Dame in Paris or Chartres Cathedral and wondered how they were made—or what they mean?

Learn about the beauty of Gothic rose windows in iconic medieval cathedrals like Notre-Dame in Paris and Chartres! Explore stained glass, medieval architecture, and the symbolic meaning of these intricate, circular masterpieces.

In this video, we discuss the design and religious symbolism of rose windows, which are considered one of the hallmarks of Gothic architecture. Learn about tracery, symmetry, and how colorful stained glass conveyed biblical stories, divine harmony, and heavenly light.

Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank

CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction to stained glass and rose windows at Notre Dame in Paris and Chartres

0:25 What is a rose window?

1:08 Creating rose windows and tracery

1:40 Subjects of the stained glass and the rose window’s symbolism

2:18 Rose windows and Gothic architecture