Across cultures, religions, and various faiths, the one constant element we can observe is the element of sustenance and birth, Water. It has strengthened its position and role in purification, renewal, and absolution in various religious and spiritual traditions, crossing the boundaries of geography, politics, and culture. Subsequently, it has inevitably shaped the architecture and design of religious structures. Its translation in architecture, although varying in its form, provides evidence of its universal nature and paralleled interpretations to a keen-eyed observer. Though the symbolism of water is interpreted distinctively in every religion, there are interesting similarities in the ways that water features complement spatial arrangement, foster contemplative environments, and support a cohesive spiritual experience.
The Many Forms of Water in Religious Architecture
Water is a symbol of purity and cleansing of the soul across various faiths. Since aeons, architects and engineers have been integrating this narrative into the physicality of the religious structures housing these faiths. From the inclusion of sacred rivers leading to water tanks in ancient Hindu temples to the ablution fountains for pre-prayer cleansing rituals at Islamic mosques, water as a conduit for purification, renewal, and absolution has always been an integral aspect of the architecture.
Beyond its symbolism, the integration of water in religious architecture serves functional considerations, it regulates temperature, provides cooling effects, and contributes to the visual allure. Additionally, water bodies in religious architecture also serve as natural sound barriers, reducing auditory disturbances and fostering a contemplative and spiritually introspective environment. The sense of harmony and unity invoked from the presence of a water feature within the architectural layout of the structure subsequently aids in binding the space together, in the context of both spatial organization and user experience.
Christianity: Baptismal Fonts and Sacred Wells
In Christianity, water primarily symbolizes spiritual rebirth. The baptismal font is a receptacle for the purifying baptismal water, used in the ritual for the washing away of sins. This narrative is also integrated into the architecture of the church in other nuanced methods, such as receptacles and fonts for holy water at the entrances, marking the transition from the worldly to the sacred realm. ‘Sacred wells’ or ‘Holy wells’, commonly seen in Christian churches, are often interpreted to possess healing qualities, through the presence of its inhabiting saint. These architectural elements have often evolved into places of pilgrimage, translating the identity of the space into a religion-centric location.
Islam: Courtyards and Reflection Pools
In Islamic architecture, the concept of purity and ritual cleansing in water is integral. The mosque courtyard ‘sahn’ often houses a reflecting pool or fountain, following similar concepts of binding the space together as seen in other religious structures. These water features are often still, shallow and spanned over larger lengths to invoke self-reflection, introspection, and contemplation. The most introduced water feature in Islamic religious architecture is the dedicated ablution area ‘Wudu’, which has varied forms from outdoor fountains to intricately designed interior spaces. The Islamic concept of harmony and interdependence in the natural world is reflected in these elements.
Hinduism: Sacred Water Tanks and Stepwells
Hindu religious architecture often incorporates water features by developing the structure around naturally occurring water bodies, respecting the sacredness of natural water. Most traditional temples are situated on riverbanks or encompass large water tanks, step-wells or ponds, connecting themes of mother nature and devotion. Stepwells descending to subterranean water sources parallel the journey to spiritual growth and devotion. Water features in Hindu architecture are designed keeping functional considerations in mind, this is reflected in the geological and climatic analysis of the location, direction, depth, and geometry of the structure.
Buddhism: Zen Gardens and Reflective Pools
In Buddhism, water is a symbol of the transience of life and the ever-present flow of existence, highlighting the significance of mindfulness and introspection. Buddhist architecture places a strong emphasis on calmness, simplicity, and a close relationship with nature. Reflective pools and cascading fountains are examples of water features that are commonly found in Buddhist temples and monastic complexes. Zen gardens, with their carefully raked gravel and stone arrangements around a central water feature, provide areas for reflection and meditation.
Though the practices and beliefs of these varying religions related to water may differ, the architectural expression of these concepts often exhibits noticeable parallels. Whether through spatial organization, geographical nuances, user experience-based design decisions or emotions evoked by the features, water served as a unifying language crossing the boundaries of religion, tradition and culture. This essentially opens insightful conversations of common denominators in varying faiths and religions, and the pivotal role of Mother Nature and Father Time in influencing architecture and religion over the aeons. In all of its fluid beauty, water still serves as a timeless metaphor to connect all of the world’s sacred spaces. From the Hindu temple step-wells to the koi ponds of Japanese Shinto shrines, the integration of water features from an aesthetic, spiritual and functional perspective narrates the same story across time and space.
References:
- Interior Architects Together A Better Community. (2023) Water plays a significant role in architecture, LinkedIn. Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/water-plays-significant-role-architecture/ (Accessed: 04 March 2024).
- The influence of water on religious architecture and Design (no date) Energy5. Available at: https://energy5.com/the-influence-of-water-on-religious-architecture-and-design (Accessed: 04 March 2024).
- Hudovic, A. (2021) Importance and use of water in Islamic religious architecture, 2nd International Symposium of Design for Living with Water. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/45092214/IMPORTANCE_AND_USE_OF_WATER_IN_ISLAMIC_RELIGIOUS_ARCHITECTURE (Accessed: 04 March 2024).
- The ceremony of the tooth in Kandy, Sri Lanka (no date) A Journey Away. Available at: http://www.ajourneyaway.com/the-ceremony-of-the-tooth-in-kandy-sri-lanka/ (Accessed: 04 March 2024).
