ROSE WINDOW

Representing the Benedicite (canticle praising God in all creation) are 12 circular windows arranged within the large circle, showing the sun, moon, stars, winter, summer, day, night, animals, birds, fish, land, and sea.

Below the rose is a transom (horizontal windows) comprising four windows with symbols for the Four Evangelists: Matthew (man: Jesus’ human side); Mark (lion: voice crying in the wilderness); Luke (ox: animal of sacrifice); and John (eagle: flight to heaven).

Above these are symbols of Christ’s suffering (the passion): praying hands and the cup of Gethsemane in the lift Kite; Pilate’s washing hands in the right kite; crown of thorns and nails in the center circle.