It’s hard not to stand in awe when we come across a gorgeous stained glass window. The colors and images are enough to stop us in our tracks, but the rich meaning and symbolism contained in rose windows is something worth meditating on.
In fact, that’s exactly what they were created for.
Why are rose windows packed with symbolism? The rise of Gothic architecture in the 13th century was a distinct moment in time. It was an era predating the printing press and widespread literacy. A mere 5% of Europe’s population was able to read. Books were handwritten and hard to come by. The average person didn’t have access to a Bible, nor the ability to read one. So if someone wanted to brush up on their theology, virtues, or Bible stories, what would they turn to?
Rose windows.
Let’s dive in to some of the most common symbols found in rose windows.
1. The Circle: The infinite nature of God.
Saint Augustine is famously quoted with saying “The nature of God is a sphere whose circumference is nowhere and whose centre is everywhere.”
Read that again.
Indeed, the circle represents the infinite nature of God, as well as the harmony and interconnectedness of all things in the universe. The circle also symbolizes the macrocosm-microcosm relationship. In other words, the relationship between the vast universe and every little corner of the world, between God and each of our individual souls.
You may have heard this one before: “As above, so below.”
2. The Wheel: The nature of the universe.
While the circle represents God and the universe itself, the wheel represents the cyclical nature of God’s creation. The Wheel of Time and the Wheel of Fortune are two notable symbols here.
The Wheel of Time is a symbol of cycles and continuity in our world — from day to night, summer to winter, life to death. The cycle that begins with creation and ends in destruction is one that repeats indefinitely.
Perhaps you’ve heard a famous Beatle say: “All things must pass.”
The Wheel of Fortune represents life circumstances. They are in a constant state of change, rising and falling. So much of life is fleeting — health, wealth. They may be here today, but could be gone tomorrow. Some of life’s circumstances are in God’s hands, not ours.
A rose window at Basel Minster in Switzerland depicts the wheel of fortune in stone carvings.
3. The Signs of the Zodiac: Your place in the world.
It may be surprising today to see the signs of the Zodiac in a Christian context, but they are a common theme in rose windows for a distinct reason. The placement of stars in the sky provides clues to where one is located in the world, the time of night, and the time of year. In centuries past, the signs of the Zodiac were a practical aid in navigating the world before modern technologies came about. In those days, there was no differentiation between astronomy and astrology.
The inclusion of the Zodiac in rose windows could be another symbol of the passage of time, or a sign of God’s guidance that helps us navigate through the world.
4. Order & Hierarchy: The structure of rose windows.
Rose windows are designed in a specific, organized way, often with a focal center, an inner ring, and an outer ring. The center may feature a depiction of Christ or the Virgin Mary. The inner ring often includes spiritually significant themes such as the twelve apostles, angels, saints, church patriarchs, or the Christian virtues. The outer ring may include signs of the zodiac, depictions of the labors of the year, symbols of nature and the changing seasons, or the cardinal directions.
We can detect a clear hierarchy here: Christ at the center, surrounded by spiritual life, encased in the world, all contained within a circle, interconnected, ever repeating. 
And there you have it. While medieval folks may not have known how to read, they could gather plenty of knowledge and spiritual insight from the images depicted in rose windows. You could say they were “literate” in a different sort of way.
So the next time you’re passing by a stained glass window, take a moment to pause and look a bit more closely. You may find the same meaning and symbolism your ancestors found hundreds of years ago.