Rose Windows, Because I Need Color Today

I need color today. I'm tired of looking outside and seeing neutrals everywhere - brown, grey, dirty white, black, more brown, ... ICK! So, since I need color, I'm sharing it with all of you. What better method to get color than that used for hundreds of years - cathedral stained glass windows. And what better window style than the rose window.

You don't often get to see one of these windows really close up. This pic is
from The Cathedral of St John the Evangelist in Spokane, Washington, USA. 

Rose windows aren't called that because they are in the shape of a rose. No, they are actually called wheel windows and the term "rose" wasn't applied to them until the 1600's. But they are spectacular and used in buildings from old to new, starting with the classic Gothic cathedrals in Europe. Here's a selection of rose windows to brighten up your day.

One of the most famous rose windows is the south window at
Notre Dame Cathedral in France. This window was a gift from
the King Saint Louis and was built in 1260 AD. There's a bunch of detailed
and interesting information on it. Just follow this link. 

This modern rose window is from Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix,
Arizona, USA. I love the sense of movement here. 

Although blues predominate in rose windows, this bright and happy
combination of lighter colors is in the Strasbourg Cathedral. I love the
outer peach tones following the yellows and oranges closer to the center. 

And finally, because we should all have some fun today, print this guy out, or
pull it into sketchbook or another program and play for a bit. Pull out your
colored pencils or crayola crayons. Grab your colored markers or pens.
Color it in and have some fun on a Friday. 

Well, got to get to the gym. It's a Drowning Guppy day and the pool waits for no-one. Have a wonderful day and I'll be back tomorrow for the last post of February, 2015. Happy Friday!