The Human Body as a Temple: An Architectural Interpretation of the ۳۳ Vertebrae of the Spine as a Blueprint for Vertical Organization in Sacred Buildings

This paper explores the human body, specifically the vertebrae of the spine, as a structural and symbolic metaphor for vertical organization in sacred architecture. Ancient and esoteric traditions understood the spine as an Axis Mundi, a conduit for spiritual energy and ascent, reflected in the verticality of sacred structures. The research examines how the anatomical and energetic features of the spine serve as a blueprint for vertical organization in sacred architectural forms, the aesthetic implications of the body-as-temple paradigm, and how a body-centered spatial semiotics framework clarifies the interaction between human experience and symbolic meanings in architectures vertical organization. The research method is a comparative analysis, linking anatomical knowledge with architectural theory, religious symbolism, and phenomenological experience to support its claims. The study employs a theoretical framework of body-centered spatial semiotics, which posits that architectural forms act as semiotic objects whose meaning is decoded through human bodily experience, with the spine serving as a fundamental sign vehicle. The findings argue that sacred architecture, through its vertical aesthetics, facilitates a spiritual journey that mirrors the inner ascent of consciousness along the human spine, transforming physical space into a sacred experience. The paper concludes that this paradigm of body as temple is a fundamental principle, not merely a metaphor, guiding the design of spaces intended to facilitate spiritual ascent. It is suggested that a return to these principles could infuse contemporary architecture with deeper meaning.

کلیدواژه ها:

: Sacred Architecture ، Spinal Vertebrae ، Vertical Organization ، Body as Temple ، Spiritual Ascent