humanities

Basilica

Early christian church plan; rectangular nave, side aisles and an apse at one end.

cathedral

Main church of diocese; contains the bishops cathedra (seat)

altar

sacred table where the Eucharist is celebrated, usually placed in the apse

Apse

Semicircular recess at the end of the nave, often housing the altar

Transept

(in a cross-shaped church) either of the two parts forming the arms of the cross shape, projecting at right angles from the nave.

Nave

Central part of a church building, made to accomadate most of the congregation, usually rectangle, seperated from chapel

Pulpit

Elevated platform for delivering sermons or readings.

Mosque

Muslim house of worship; includes prayer hall, courtyard

Madrasa

Islamic school for religious and secular studies, usually attached to mosque

Mihrab

semicircular niche or recessed area in wall of mosque that indicates quibla, the direction of Kaaba in Mecca, towards which muslims face to pray.

Minaret

Tall tower from which call to prayer (adhan) is announced. EX: Malwiya tower in the Great mosque of Samarra.

Minbar

Stepped pulpit beside the mihrab for imam's sermon

Sahn

open courtyard of Mosque, usually with fountain for ablution

Qibla

Direction toward the Kaaba in Mecca; the focal point for prayer orientation.

Calligraphy

Stylized Arabic script used for Qur'anic verses and decorative panels.

Geometry

Repeating interlaced patterns (stars, polygons) that decorate Islamic surfaces. EX: spirals in mosques, like in minarets like Malwiya tower.

Angkor

Capital region of the Khmer Empire (9th‑15th c.) in present‑day Cambodia.

Wat

Buddhist temple complex in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia).

Thom

Khmer word meaning "big" or "great," often in temple names.

Phnom

Khmer for "hill" or "mountain"; many temples are built on a phnom.

Baray

Large artificial reservoir that supplied water to Angkor's cities and temples.

Banteay

Khmer for "fortress" or "stronghold," used in names like Banteay Srei.

Naga

Multi‑headed serpent deity that guards temple entrances, often as balustrades.

Bas-relief

Low relief sculpture that tells narrative (e.g., mythic scenes)

Vishnu

Hindu preserver god, depicted with four arms (conch, discus, mace, lotus).

Shiva

Hindu destroyer‑transformer god, shown with trident, damaru, and third eye.

Churning of the Ocean Milk

Myth where gods and demons churn the cosmic ocean to obtain amrita (nectar of immortality); a popular bas‑relief theme in Khmer temples.