Geometry, Sacred

Sacred geometry in the setting of temples pertains to the relative arrangement of lines and points that create a multitude of geometric symbols that belong to the exterior and interior parts of temples; these include circles, squares, rectangles, stars, concentric circles, squares within squares, circles within squares, and many more. Many (but certainly not all) of these geometric symbols are artistic expressions that provide symbolic understandings, conveying a variety of ideas, e.g., the concepts of earth, heaven, eternity, astronomical bodies, and others.

Various beautiful geometric designs, San Salvador Temple.

In association with sacred geometry, the scriptures portray God as the ultimate Geometer. When God created the earth, He utilized the following tools: the hollow of His hand, a span (the distance between the tips of the little finger and stretched out thumb), a measure, scales, and a balance: “Who hath measured the waters [of the sea] in the hollow of his hand (sha’al), and meted out heaven with the span (zeret), and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure (shalish), and weighed the mountains in scales (peles), and the hills in a balance (mozen)?” (Isa. 40:12). God also used a geometer’s tool called a compass (an instrument that creates circles and arcs): “When [God] established [chaqaq, ‘marked out’] the heavens, I was there, when he inscribed a circle [chug, ‘used a compass’] on the deep” (Prov. 8:27; translation by author; see also Job 26:10).