Why do they have arched windows in churches?

Question

Why do they have arched windows in churches?
I know its to let light in.
But why do they have the arch shape, and not a circle or square?
Whats special about the arch, or what does it mean?

Answer 1

It's just an architectural style - gothic - that seems to have stuck



Plenty of other buildings of that style have arched windows. And a lot of churches don't have arched windows wither - think of rose windows in the great European cathedrals

Answer 2

Arched Windows

Answer 3

The temperament of the people of the East and of the South where Christian houses of worship first appeared, required the admission of much light by large openings in the walls, that is, by windows. As a matter of fact the early Christian basilicas were richly provided with large windows, placed partly in the central nave, that was raised for this purpose, partly in the side aisles and façade. In Western Europe, or rather in the countries under Roman influence, the places where the windows existed on the side aisles can no longer be identified with absolute certainty, owing to the chapels and additions that were later frequently built. In the East, however, where it was customary to select isolated sites for church buildings large windows were the rule. The place of the window was determined by the architectural membering of the basilica

The Renaissance returned to the round-arched clustered windows of the Romanesque style, particularly in brick buildings. Still light openings with slender connexions between them and enclosed in rectangular frames are to found in houses built ofstone, particularly in the late Renaissance. They generally received as ornament, in imitation of antiquity, a frame of broad profile, which at the height of the Renaissance was generally surrounded by two supports, pilasters, or columns hope this helps :)

Answer 4

I think that would very much depend on the age of the church, as in Gothic architecture the pointed arch was very popular, and in the Romanesque architecture it was the rounded arch. Modern churches might have entirely different sorts of windows. The point is the arch allowed huge windows using fairly primitive building techniques.



I think it is more related to architecture than to religion.

Answer 5

Archs are know to be strong structures that keep the whole structure from collapsing, mostly in times when building materials weren't as reliable as they are today. Probably it comes from the architecture of the middle ages, and despite the architectural advances, the shape remains. So I don't really think it means something.

Answer 6

See link below for the significance.



The Arch was a fairly serious building milestone for architects of the age, as it was the first time that massive structures could be built without falling in on themselves since the ancient pyramids.

Answer 7

Arch does not necesarilly hold a spiritual meaning but Romans first used it because of its great ability to burden weight.



Weight distribution on arches are very good as the weight is dispersed equally to the structure beneath the arch.



Circlers and squares are not good weight distributor - note spheres and circles are different as spheres are very good in pressure distribution.

Answer 8

It was lovely and think Roman archetecture, it was easy to make roman arches back them. It became the norm in modern times due to how lovely it is.

Answer 9

nothing is really special about the arch. its just the churchs sign like the bird of new jersey sort of. they just use them. it gives a feeling that you are most defnitly in church

Answer 10

its the old middle eastern style. Jesus's time. If you ever watch Aladin you'll notice everything is in an arch

Answer 11

Because McDonalds will rule the earth and indeed already does, and Ronald Mc Donald will be God!!!!!!!!

Answer 12

It's more structurally sound.

Answer 13

They look beautiful.