The Archetype of the Number Twelve in Sacred Architecture: A Comparative Study on the Role of the Number Twelve in Spatial Division, Plan Design, and the Structure of Twelve-Part Domes

This study examines the archetypal significance of the number twelve in sacred architecture, exploring its philosophical, cosmological, and theological underpinnings in Christian and Islamic traditions. The research aims to understand how this number, symbolizing perfection and divine order, is translated into architectural forms, and to identify universal principles and distinct cultural expressions in the built environment. The primary research method is a comparative analysis, drawing on international academic literature to link the philosophical and cosmological meaning of the number twelve with its practical application in spatial division, plan design, and dome structures. The study focuses on case studies from Christian architecture, such as the radiating chapels of Notre-Dame, and Islamic architecture, including domes with twelve-fold patterns in cities like Fez and Córdoba.The findings indicate that the number twelve functions as a universal language in sacred architecture, transcending cultural and religious boundaries to express a shared human aspiration for divine harmony and cosmic order. In Christian architecture, the symbolism is often explicit, directly referencing the apostles or tribes of Israel in spatial and structural details. In Islamic architecture, the number is more abstractly employed in geometric patterns and dome designs, reflecting the doctrine of the Twelve Imams and zodiacal cosmology. The study concludes that the use of twelve is not merely a technical or aesthetic choice but a deliberate design strategy to embed profound theological and cosmological meaning into sacred spaces, thereby facilitating spiritual contemplation and connection with the divine

Keywords:

Sacred Architecture , Number Twelve , Christian Architecture , Islamic Architecture , Domes