Overview
Have you ever tried to solve a crossword puzzle and come across a clue about columns or building styles? If so, you’ve likely encountered the fascinating world where architecture meets word games. This blog post will take you on a journey through architectural crossword orders and how they show up in crossword puzzles. We’ll look at why knowing about these building styles can help both puzzle fans and those who love architecture.
Understanding Architectural Crossword Orders
Architectural crossword orders are styles of building design that have been around for a very long time. They started in ancient Greece and Rome and have changed over the years.
There are five main types of architectural crssword orders:
- Doric: This is the simplest style. It has strong columns without a base.
- Ionic: This style has columns with scroll-like designs at the top and a base at the bottom.
- Corinthian: This is the fanciest style, with lots of leaf designs on the column tops.
- Tuscan: This is a simple Roman style, similar to Doric but with a base.
- Composite: This mixes features from Ionic and Corinthian styles.
Let’s look at each of these in more detail:
Doric Order
The Doric order is known for its simple, strong look. It doesn’t have a base, and the column goes straight into the floor. The top of the column, called the capital, is plain. One famous building that uses the Doric order is the Parthenon in Athens, Greece.
Ionic Order
The Ionic order is more fancy than the Doric. Its columns have bases and the capitals look like scrolls. These scrolls are called volutes. A good example of the Ionic order is the Temple of Athena Nike, also in Athens.
Corinthian Order
The Corinthian order is the most fancy of all. Its capital is covered in leaf designs, usually based on the acanthus plant. The Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens is a great example of the Corinthian order
Tuscan and Composite Orders
The Tuscan order is a Roman style that’s simpler than the Doric. The Composite order mixes parts of the Ionic and Corinthian styles. These are less common in crossword puzzles, but they’re still good to know about.
Architectural Crossword Orders in Crossword Puzzles
Now, let’s talk about how these architectural crossword order terms show up in crosswords. Crossword puzzles are word games where you fill in a grid with words based on clues. They’re fun and can help you learn new things.
Here are some common clues you might see in a crossword related to architectural crossword orders:
- “Greek column style” (5 letters) – Answer: DORIC
- “Fancy column design” (9 letters) – Answer: CORINTHIAN
- “Scroll-topped column” (5 letters) – Answer: IONIC
Sometimes, the clues might be trickier. For example:
- “Parthenon feature” (6 letters) – Answer: COLUMN
- “Acanthus-leaf design” (9 letters) – Answer: CORINTHIAN
To help you remember these terms, try thinking of them like this:
- Doric is “plain and strong”
- Ionic has “eye-like” scrolls
- Corinthian is “fancy with leaves”
Educational Benefits
Solving crosswords that include architectural crossword order terms can be really good for your brain. It helps you remember new words and learn about history and art at the same time. You might even start noticing these styles in buildings around you!
Creating Your Own Architectural Order Crossword
Want to make your own crossword about architectural crossword orders? Here’s how:
- Choose your words (like DORIC, IONIC, COLUMN)
- Make a grid and fill in the words
- Write clues for each word
- Share with friends or family to solve
You can use online tools to help you make crosswords, or just draw one on paper.
Fun Facts and Trivia
Did you know?
- The Parthenon has 46 outer columns, all in the Doric style.
- The Corinthian order was named after the city of Corinth in Greece.
- Roman architect Vitruvius wrote about these orders over 2000 years ago.
Conclusion
Architectural crossword orders are more than just building styles – they’re a part of history that shows up in our word games today. Next time you’re doing a crossword and see a clue about columns or Greek buildings, you’ll know just what to look for!
