Ten Stunning Monuments With the Golden Ratio

Ten stunning monuments from around the world were built using the Golden Ratio also referred to as the Golden Mean or Golden Section. Known as sacred geometry, this mathematical equation is the basis for incredible buildings, as well as statues and paintings. These amazing works of art are testimonies to human creativity and the number known as phi.

The Golden Ratio is most evident in the ancient Greek Parthenon facade. The proportions are of Golden Rectangles. The construction began in 447 BC and was completed in 438 BC and features many of the Classical Greek architectural characteristics, such as the Doric capitals on the columns.

Sculpted in the early 1500s, Michelangelo's David, embodies the Golden Ratio. David was completed during the Renaissance period, an era in which many artists, including Michelangelo, utilized the Golden Ratio, also referred to the Divine Ratio at the time, in their work.

Taking over 200 years to complete, the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral is a combination of Renaissance, Baroque, and Neo-classical architectural styles. Many Renaissance artists and architects used the Golden Ratio in their work. The Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral was once an endangered world monument due to the muddy ground underneath it causing the structure to sink. This problem has since been rectified and this ancient structure is safe from crumbling once again.

The original monument of Athena Parthenos created by Phidias was believed to be destroyed in a fire, but many replicas have been created throughout the centuries. Phidias used the Golden Ratio to construct what many consider one of his greatest works.

Though the modern day measurements no longer coincide with the Golden Ratio due to erosion, the Great Pyramid of Giza was constructed in ancient times using its proportions. It was designated sometime between the first and second centuries as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Like many other cathedrals built in ancient times, The Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres, in Chartres, France is an excellent example of Golden Ratio monuments. The west portion of the old Romanesque cathedral that still remains clearly reveals how it was built using the Golden Ratio.

Architect Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, known better as Le Corbusier, based his design of the United Nations Headquarters building in New York on Golden Rectangle proportions. These rectangles were created using the Golden Ratio for the lengths.

A great example of monuments with the Golden Ratio is the 9th-century building known as Mahayana Buddhist temple located in Indonesia. The large Buddha statue sits protectively over the world's largest Buddhist temple. Constructed from six square and three round platforms, the temple is capped by a large central dome.

This porch, located in the Greek Acropolis, was constructed using Golden Rectangle proportions. The porch is part of the Greek temple, Erechtheum. Dedicated to Athena and Poseidon, the temple's porch was created using three golden rectangles.

The original construction of this Golden Ratio monument began in 1163 and was mostly finished by 1260. The cathedral is a beautiful example of asymmetrical design. It's easy to see how the cathedral was built using Golden Rectangles.

The subject of the golden ratio is fascinating. The math behind the creation of gold ratio architecture and art help to explain the visual appeal each monument has. It shows how the subconscious mind's discernment and recognition of the aesthetic balance this mathematical equation can bring to all artforms.