How Domes became a Symbol of Government

Copyright (c) 2009 Elda TitusDomes cover many very important buildings and have been called “the king of all roofs. ” These rounded structures became an architectural icon of choice for many government buildings. Domes are strong, curved structures that cover a large space without a single supporting column. Prior to domes, buildings were only built rectangular with supportive columns. The first appearance of domes was as round huts and tombs in the ancient Middle East, India, and the Mediterranean. Around 100 AD, Roman engineers began experimenting with arches and found by rotating an arch in a circle a three-dimensional shape was created. Domes became very popular accenting the rooftops of churches and mosques creating a brilliant design. The early domes were made of stone. One of the earliest domes constructed was the Pantheon, which was so heavy the engineers carved shapes along the walls to reduce the weight. An opening was also cut at the tops called the oculus, or the eye of the dome, which helped reduce the weight plus allowed sunlight in. The domes were being built taller and taller by 532AD, causing an increased problem with weight. This problem soon was solved with the creation of arches with windows that allowed sunlight to enter without weakening the structure. In the 18th Century, the dome on St. Peter’s Basilica began cracking. Iron rings called tension rings were place around the structure. This not only saved this structure but served as a new way to construct domes. By the early 1400’s, engineers in Rome began building two domes in one to create an illusion of height. Iron rings held up the thin outer shell, with a smaller dome underneath. The smaller dome being only visible from the inside, the dome that graces our nation’s Capitol is built like this. Domes have been called the perfect architectural shape, the circle being a symbol of the universe. The high dome often gold in color is shaped like a giant head of authority. One of the ancient cosmological meanings of the dome is that of “celestial helmet. “No wonder, the dome has since become a universal symbol of government. Their stateliness adds beauty that fits the grandeur of most capitol buildings, a status-marking identification. In the United States, the dome of the Massachusetts state Capitol, established the dome as a distinctive feature for state Capitols as well as our nation’s Capitol in Washington, DC. Today there are only seven state Capitols without domes. Thomas Jefferson called the dome on the Nation’s Capitol, “the first temple dedicated to the sovereignty of the people. ” In the United States, the dome has become an architectural icon of choice for government buildings. Their stateliness adds beauty that fits the grandeur of most capitol buildings, a status-marking identification. Domes became a dominant presence in America’s skylines, not only for government buildings but on homes, commercial buildings and garages, an eye-catching sight. They have become a symbol of democracy and of inspiration to citizens to live lives filled with dignity and freedom.

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