AllatRa by Anastasia Novykh 2 www.allatra.org

AllatRa by Anastasia Novykh
Examples:
1) Mandala in the form of a circle with an indication of a square with a dot in the
centre and a four-sided pyramid with six steps and a fourfold division;
2) Kali Yantra (translated from Sanskrit, “kala” means “time”; this word traces back
to the Indo-European root that means spinning; a word that is close in its meaning
in the Russian language is “kolo”); in Hindu mythology, it means cyclical creations
and destructions of the Universe, rotation of time in the concept of rebirth of the
Soul and of a subject of fate.
Generally speaking, it should be noted that the quadratic structure, which points at the
common ancient symbolism of spiritual knowledge, is reflected also in the architectural
planning of temples belonging to other religions. For instance, the temple and monastery
complexes of Ancient China had a square and a circle in their base. The largest and the
famous “Temple of Sky”, for example, is divided into two parts in its planning: one is
shaped as a square (a symbol of the Earth; earthly powers) and the other one is rounded
(the circle is a symbol of Heaven; heavenly forces). In China, a joint drawing of a square
and a circle (Earth and Heaven) still symbolises an ideally balanced person (in spiritual
aspect). Another example: the form of Muslim mosques, which are oriented towards the
Kaaba in Mecca, is also square or rectangle…
Anastasia: Yes, you once told us about this and about Christian temples, too. The
Christian quadrifolium (“four-leaved clover”, from the Latin word “quadri” meaning
“four times” and “folium” – “leaf”) is a cross-in-square temple, the four branches (bays)
of which are crowned with dome-shaped curves denoting the “firmament”. You
mentioned that the Greek name of such temples is tetraconch (“four shells”; from the
Greek word “tetras” meaning “four” and “konche” – a “shell”, a “whirlwind”, “what is
spirally twisted”). I got interested in it and discovered many interesting facts. Such
constructions were popular not only in ancient Rus’ but also in Byzantium, countries of
Transcaucasia (Armenia and Georgia), Persia (Iran), India and other ancient countries.
They came to the West through the Hellenistic culture, which had borrowed many things
from cultures of the Ancient East. But what’s remarkable is the fact that in temples of
early Christianity in the Middle East and in Europe (and later in Christian temples of
ancient Rus’ as well) the altar at first was actually installed exactly in the Crossing of the
temple as a throne of the “invisible God”! That is, under the central big dome in the
middle of the church. And only much later was the altar moved to the protruding eastern
3
www.allatra.org