The Sacred Geometry Of Washington, D.C. by Nicholas Mann

by Nicholas R. Mann

In 1791, a new city took shape on the Potomac. It was planned to bring the political center of the emerging nation down from New York and Philadelphia to an unspoiled place with no prior history, a place where the opening chapter might be written on America’s blank page. French-born Pierre Charles L’Enfant, was appointed by George Washington to be its planner and architect. L’Enfant wished to inscribe in his design the flourishing and triumphant principles of the Enlightenment. He also wanted to bring classical shape to his rational geometric patterns and Pythagorean golden sections, like those inscribed in the great cities of past civilizations. These patterns, he believed, held not only powerful symbolic significance but tapped into actual spiritual forces and cosmic energies as well.As it turned out, through the intercession of Thomas Jefferson and others, the city was built with major modifications to the original design. One of these 1793 modifications gave much more emphasis in the city’s axes to the position of the White House—only completed in 1800—than to the Capitol building at the center of L’Enfant’s design. Did moving the "zero meridian" west to the White House express a desire, perhaps, to give greater emphasis to executive power than to legislative?What happened to L’Enfant’s remarkable conception?  Why and how was it altered? Did Freemasonic ideas play any appreciable role in the original or amended design? What can we learn today from the intended design, in terms of the role of spiritual forces embedded in geometric patterns? NicholasR. Mann shares with readers the genius of the original design and the significance of the modifications to Washington as built.

Genres: History

Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Clowd · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not finish this book :/ not only was it too technical for an ordinary reader but it was taking way too long to get to the point. I got lost and wasn’t sure whether I’ve skipped the point or it’s just simply not happening.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicholas Mann has written an interpretation of symbolism behind Pierre Charles L'Enfant's design of Washington, D.C. The book is intriguing. Mann's argument is centered around some ancient concepts of geometry, and uses these concepts to suggest that with numerology and associated symbolism L'Enfant created a design for the city that emphasized the role of the people in the new democracy of the country and was centered on the Capitol. However, with subsequent generations and further development, Washington, D.C.'s layout has concentrated the federal buildings and turned the focus inward towards the Mall with its central focus on the Washington Monument instead of outward towards the rest of the city and the "people." All of this is to say that Mann makes a compelling argument for a symbolic layout for the city.

The symbols themselves are a bit dubious and the evidence that L'Enfant actually consciously intended to use them is paltry. However, the idea of developing the North-South axis and East-West axis created by the Capitol building along North and South Capitol Streets and East Capitol Streets is one that creates a strong symbol of how the city should represent a reaching out to the people as opposed to an insular focus on itself and executive power.

In addition, the measurements are a fascinating way to take a fresh look at the city in which I work.

[Bruce · Rating 2 out of 5]

According to the author there is a sacred geometry involved in all temples and religions. L'Enfant's original plan for the capitol city was based on this sacred geometry. The book is largely mathematical with some history and philosophy thrown in. L'Enfant was sacked and his plan altered to appease those holding the purse strings. The author notes there is no evidence of Masonic involvement in L'Enfant's design but there is in the design of the Washington monument. It is a rather dry essay.

[Morgaine]

A must read for all world citizens.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

978-0-7607-9476-0