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HOOK 61 Lost Sacred Geometries by Setrak Taner Isnar. Throughout the Middle Ages, people wrote in stone. Long before the prin3ng press came into existence, the world's true scholars were architects. They recorded their stories and histories into the very walls around them. This prac3ce was especially pronounced when it came to religious struc- tures, and the founda3ons of holy buildings of all faiths created during medieval 3mes are packed with sacred imagery and texts. Alas, in the centuries since their crea3on, most of these buildings have been lost to all humanity. Earthquakes, wars, ruin, and decay have taken their toll, depriving us of the wisdom and tales which had stood carved in stone for over a thousand years. Of the ones that remain, knowledge of their lessons has been lost. We can see the faded engrav- ings but have no way to read them, and in many cases we have no idea there is even anything there to read. This hidden language exists not only in the symbols and images de- picted on the walls, but in the very geometric lay- out of the rooms themselves. No detail was wasted, no opportunity for communica3on passed over. Author Setrak Taner Isnar has spent years studying this ancient and lost language, specifically as it pertains to Medieval Armenian churches, and has published the culmina3on of his discoveries in his book. It is an eye-opening, mind- blowing disserta3on that lays bare the messages put down centuries ago by the master builders of Medieval Armenia, giving us a glimpse at what these people had to say all those centuries ago. This is no light reading for the casual fan, but rather an in-depth, highly- detailed study of the sub- ject, complete with dozens upon dozens of di- agrams, photographs, and charts. Isnar's discovery rests on what he calls the three pillars of truth. First- -that Armenia is a na3on with its origins based in Apostolic Orthodoxy. Sec- ond--the connec3on be- tween this origin and the na3on's early architec- ture. And third--that this architecture contains rules and codes which can be characterized as a lan- guage. Put together, Isnar's three pillars pave the way for a rash of dis- coveries which give us in- sight into the ancient people who lived in this region all those years ago. Each chapter of Isnar's book dives into a specific area of explora3on, such as drawings and analysis, main features and com- mon pa4erns, and visual codes and their origins. He ends with a plea to save the remaining structures, as 3me has begun to de- prive humanity of their teach- ings, with some of his elements of study having already been lost during the years it took him to put his massive tome together. Isnar has taken great pains to il- luminate the hidden meanings stored within his subject before it is too late, and we would be wise to heed his warning. O n e of t h e c u s to m s o f m e d i e v a l A r m e n i a n a r c h i te c t s w a s to l i te ra l l y a l i g n the s ta r s u s e d i n t h e fl oor p l a n s of a c hu r c h . . . By David Neilsen Book Reviews HOOK 61

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