The Mysterious Green Flash at Strasbourg Cathedral
by Francois Hagnere on 04/11/09 at 4:50 am
People throng into the Strasbourg cathedral twice a year for an amazing equinoctial light phenomenon.
The green flash is an optical phenomenon taking place just after sunset or before sunrise. It has become a myth and a novel by Jules Verne in 1882. If you happen to see it, you will always be sure about your love feelings. That is for the legend.
Twice a year, for the Spring and Autumn equinoxes, crowds throng into the Strasbourg cathedral. A mysterious light phenomenon appears at 11:38 on March 20, and September 21, it lasts several days. The patriarch Judah, an ancestor of the Christ, is featured in one of the South triforium windows and will be our guide. He looks towards the sun above his right shoulder whilst his index shows his left foot, thus indicating the sun goes through his green foot at a determined moment and from a certain angle. This stained glass window dates back to 1876 and the sun crosses the nave of the cathedral via this beautiful window on every sunny day and particularly on these dates. The green beam reaching the pavement in the Spring creates an oval that moves with the sun, reaches the 15th century pulpit and lights the head of the Virgin, runs along the Christ’s right and left arm, then above his head and finally down to Saint-John’s head. The same phenomenon appears in Autumn, the beam is then white, from another part of the stained glass window, the sun being lower over the horizon.
The show is lovely and attracts many enthusiasts each year. According to the Strasbourg Astronomical Observatory, this occurred accidentally following the restoration of the window in the ’70s. If there is an intention, the tradition was then respected. The Strasbourg green flash symbolically is a tribute to the Sun, to the solar Christian religion. The green color is linked to Nature and Hope and white to Pureness. Various similar phenomena do exist in other sanctuaries in France and other countries. The Strasbourg cathedral is also famous for its astronomical clock.
Strasbourg, façade of the Gothic cathedral.
Image source: http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/11/04/cathc3a9dralestrasbourg_1.jpg
The Judah stained glass window on the right. This is where the phenomenon comes from.
Image source: http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/11/04/judarayonvertstrasbourgjpeg_1.jpg
The green flash lighting the pulpit in the Spring.
Image source: http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/11/04/rayonvert2009_1.jpg
Astronomical clock in the Strasbourg cathedral.
Image source: http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/11/04/cathedraledestrasbourgimg1231_1.jpg
West façade main portal at Strasbourg cathedral.
Image source: http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/11/04/cathedraledestrasbourgimg4240_1.jpg
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39 Comments
Teves
Nov 4th, 2009
Well done…
giftarist
Nov 4th, 2009
WOW, great article!
Themax
Nov 4th, 2009
wow,wow amazing pic and beautiful article,Thanks for sharing
Katien
Nov 4th, 2009
What an incredible building!
deep blue
Nov 4th, 2009
Very magical. I remember Rouen Cathedral from Earl Horter’s pen drawings where he sketched the front of the church which resembles this one. I suppose the architecture is similar in your country, Francois. BTW I used to be quite an expert in calligraphy when I was young using speedball pens from which I was reminded of the drawing in the brochure/manual. Another nice post my friend, thanks.
Will
Papa Sparks
Nov 4th, 2009
Thanks for the pictorial journey and commentary
Patrick Bernauw
Nov 4th, 2009
What a great article… with beautiful pictures!
PhoenixRox
Nov 4th, 2009
Wonderful article… Lovely images.. especially the last one .. intricate !!
Avaxier
Nov 4th, 2009
What a beautiful cathedral! It would be great to enter this impressive building someday.
RS Wing
Nov 4th, 2009
Yes, the craftsmanship it must have taken is beautiful and stunning within these elegant pictures. What a beautiful church, but what do you attribute this phenomena ? Is it a divine, ethereal? Very interesting as it happens consistently every year. Very intriguing article Francois.
Lostash
Nov 4th, 2009
Stunning building! They were so clever back in those days, to incorporate such design flourishes that still entertain today.
Joe Dorish
Nov 4th, 2009
Pretty cool would like to see the green light in person.
James DeVere
Nov 4th, 2009
Great article. It is amazing documenting these wonders. Sacre Dieu! Marveleuse
Ruby Hawk
Nov 4th, 2009
Marvelous, I would like to see it.
Purnomosidhi
Nov 4th, 2009
wow, one day I will visit it
Elleword
Nov 5th, 2009
An interesting phenomenon Francois..although it could be pure coincidence <:-I..hmm..liked this
Rana Sinha
Nov 5th, 2009
That’s really amazing. Thanks for educating us.
thestickman
Nov 5th, 2009
VEry kewl!
obikelvin
Nov 5th, 2009
Great post! Thanks for the photos.You desreve some kudos. ofcourse,I believe in miracles.
Lucas Dié
Nov 5th, 2009
Another great article.
The phenomenon is fascinating, and even without it, Strasbourg and its cathedral are worth visiting anytime.
CaSundara
Nov 5th, 2009
How cool, especially that it was accidental. Great articles and pics, as usual. Thanks for sharing!
bailieman
Nov 5th, 2009
Excellent piece and something we might not have known about otherwise. The only occasion I visited France was a trip to Strasbourg, unfortunately I did not get to see the cathedral. Next time I will make it a definite stop off.
Sonora
Nov 5th, 2009
That’s amazing! Excellent and entertaining write!
Anna Storer
Nov 5th, 2009
Loved it! Very inspiring.
lindalulu
Nov 5th, 2009
Amazing Cathedral… great article.
Wennie Estares
Nov 5th, 2009
very good!
Bailey Thompson
Nov 5th, 2009
Interesting… Nice pictures.
historigal
Nov 6th, 2009
Thanks for visually walking us through the grandeur of this cathedral. It’s just stunning. Thank you.
Francois Hagnere
Nov 6th, 2009
Many thanks to all for your comments. This phenomenon is indeed fascinating. I wish you all the best my friends!
lillyrose
Nov 6th, 2009
Wow… that would be something to see! great article.
Sunitha Stalin
Nov 9th, 2009
wow thats great
Christine Ramsay
Nov 9th, 2009
I remember visiting Strasbourg Cathedral many years ago. It is magnicicent. I wish I had been there when the green flash was taking place. An excellent read.
Christine
Ruby Hawk
Nov 10th, 2009
another I like,
Francois Hagnere
Nov 11th, 2009
Thank you and please enjoy all my other illustrated articles here on Gothic cathedrals and Romanesque churches and abbeys.
Best wishes to all,
François
Francois Hagnere
Nov 11th, 2009
Thank you and please enjoy all my other illustrated articles here on Gothic cathedrals and Romanesque churches and abbeys.
Best wishes to all, François
Mystify
Nov 11th, 2009
Amazing cathedal, absolutely beautiful!This was an excellent article by all standards! I love cathedrals and old churches so this was a delight to read!
chris73
Nov 12th, 2009
Nice, and i guess an easy income for the church!
haikumad
Dec 23rd, 2009
Beautiful cathedral. I’ve not heard the story about the light. Strasbourg itself is fascinating, especially the old town.
Intuitive
Feb 1st, 2010
Wonderful architecture, I missed visiting this place. Thanks for the share.
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