Symbolic cathedral made of cardboard unveiled

Made from 98 giant cardboard tubes, the new Transitional Cathedral will hold 700 worshippers and is designed to last for up to 50 years – until a more permanent replacement can be built. The tubes are coated with three layers of waterproof polyurethane and most are sheltered by the polycarbonate roof, which is translucent and so glows when the cathedral is lit at night.

The cathedral was designed by Shigeru Ban, a Japanese architect who has been building with cardboard since 1986. Since then, Ban has designed everything from an art museum in Metz, France, to emergency accommodation following the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

He says the new cathedral is earthquake-proof, fireproof and won’t get soggy in the rain. "The strength of the materials is unrelated to the strength of the building," he told the Japan Times. "The first time I used paper was for an interior, but I realised it was strong enough to be used as a structural element – to actually hold up the building." He says wood and paper can withstand quakes that would destroy concrete structures.

In Western society, the triangle most often has highly Christian meanings when used in a religious context. Because the Christian God is a trinity - Father, Son and Holy Ghost united in a single godhead – he is commonly represented by a triangle.

As a three-sided polygon, the triangle represents the number three, which is meaningful to many groups. As such, triangles and other symbols made of three parts may be used to present such concepts as past, present, and future or spirit, mind and body.

As a Summoning Symbol
Some occultists use the triangle as a summoning symbol. At the culmination of a ritual, the desired being is expected to appear within a triangle inscribed upon the floor. The occultist often performs his ritual from the protection of a circle.

Point-up and Point-down Triangles
The orientation of a triangle can be important to it’s meaning. For example, a point-up triangle might represent a strong foundation or stability, as it is rooted to the ground through a solid base.

The elements of earth and water formed from point-up triangles, even [though] these are the two more material elements. Symbols for air and fire are formed from point-down triangles.

The point-up triangle can represent male energy, and fire and air are masculine elements. The point-down triangle can represent female energy, and water and earth are feminine elements.