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The Parthenon was built in the 5th century BC as a Temple to the goddess Athena. At its center was a sculpture of the goddess carved by Phidias that stood over 13 yards tall. Today it is the best-known building of Ancient Greece, and has been praised as being an example of the finest achievement in Greek classical architecture with perfect proportions.

a number of Golden rectangles used in the Parthenon

A drawing of the Parthenon
Athens, Greece
[Golden Proportions overlaid]
from the book
Antiquities of Athens
By Stewart and Revett
Published in 1790

The Architects of the Parthenon used the Golden Proportion in a number of areas in its design. For example, on the gable side of the building, the width and height of the building combine to create a golden rectangle. The total height of the building is approximately 1.618 times the height to the top of the columns, and the frieze sculptures (called triglyphs [columns] and metopes [sculptures]) on the entablature mimic those proportions as well.

The Golden Proportion is prevalent in art, architecture, music, nature –and some say even in the stock market. The balance and harmony achieved using this ratio can be readily transferred into your home’s design and décor, and certainly can be incorporated into a custom sized rug. Take some time, and look around the room you are working on, and you’ll begin to see how to put it to work for you.


This article is the sole property of Coastal Style, copyright 2008. No one may reprint this article without written permission from Coastal Style. Please contact us via email if you would like us to consider a request to reprint.


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