Altars Quote by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio
“Altars should face the east, and should always be placed on a lower level than are the statues in the temples, so that those who are praying and sacrificing may look upwards towards the divinity.”
About This Quote
Source Architectural Treatise: De Architectura, Book I, 1st century BC
Temple design guidelines advise placing altars lower and east‑facing so worshippers look upward toward the divine.
In simple terms: Altars should be east‑facing and lower than statues.
Key Takeaway
Design sacred spaces to direct focus upward.
Themes
architecture
religion
spatial hierarchy
ritual
Mood
reflective
instructive
Type
architectural
ritualistic
When to use this quote
- temple construction
- ritual planning
- heritage preservation
Key Concepts
classical architecture
symbolic orientation
sacred geometry
Questions to Reflect On
- How do orientation choices affect worship?
- Can ancient principles be adapted today?
A Different Perspective
Modern buildings may not follow these rules.
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