The rose window
Symbol of Gothic perfection
Circular windows are known in the Romanesque style, but it's in the Gothic that they really flourish - becoming ever more intricate and beautiful.
This two-part video shows how the rose window developed, and how it became a symbol of perfection for the Gothic mind - even, a miniature version of the entire universe. We see examples of rose windows from Spain, England, France, Germany, and Italy, many of them with their original stained glass from the middle ages.