About The Glossary

Sources

U

(Arabic: "wood") A stringed instrument used frequently in Islamic music. It has a deep, pear-shaped body, a fretless fingerboard, and a shorter neck than the lute.


 

In Christian church architecture: A vaulted space, sometimes underground, below the main level of a church or chapel.


 

Hindu scripture based on discourse of a guru with his disciple.


 

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V

(Punjabi) Epic poem.


 

Arched masonry covering over a building, based on the shape of the arch; used for the most part as a ceiling or roof. Common types of vaults are barrel (also known as tunnel or wagon), groin (or cross), rib and fan.


 

(Sanskrit: "knowledge") The corpus of Hindu scriptures.


 

(see stations of the cross)


 

(Sanskrit, Pali) A Buddhist monastery or nunnery.


 

One of the wedge-shaped blocks, usually of stone, making up an arch or vault.


 

(from Latin, editio vulgata: common edition) The Latin version of the Christian Bible completed by St. Jerome in approximately 404 CE, which came into common use in western Christendom.


 

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W

In Christian church architecture: the wooden paneling of pews.


 

A temple or complex of buildings used in Theravada Buddhism for worship and teaching.


 

In Christian church architecture: The tower-like structure on the west end of Carolingian or Romanesque-style churches. It comprises an entrance and vestibule with a chapel above. The central structure often is flanked by stair turrets.


 

A window used primarily in Romanesque architecture in which mullions radiate from the center of the window like the spokes of a wheel.


 

In general, the style of window is indicative of the style of the building. Romanesque churches have rounded (semicircular) heads. Oeil de boeuf (ox eye) windows (round windows set into walls) are used in the Baroque style. See also lancet, oculus,  oriel, rose window, wheel window, fenestration, sash...)


 

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Y

In Judaism: Skullcap worn by (some) Jewish males at times of worship (and by some at all times).


 

(Japanese) One of several terms for a Shinto shrine.


 

(Yiddish: place of sitting) In Judaism:

1. An academy of Talmud studies.

2. The main educational institution of traditional Judaism, with an all-male student body usually ranging in age from early teens to mid-20s.


 

(Chinese: "Book of Changes") One of the most influential Chinese scriptures; included by Confucians in their canon of the Five Classics, but also esteemed by Taoists and others.


 

A repository of Taoist sacred scriptures in 122 sections compiled by Zhang Junfang during the years 1004-1007.


 

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Z

(Japanese) A meditation hall, especially in Zen Buddhism.