Graceful Columns Through Time: Decoding the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian Architectural Styles
Exploring the differences between capital styles and how to identify them in the future.
For centuries, architecture has served as a reflection of human creativity and cultural expression. The column is one of the most distinctive aspects among all the elements that contribute to architectural marvels. The Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders of columns were introduced throughout the classical period. Each order has its own distinct personality and story, allowing us to connect with different eras of history and aesthetics.
The Doric Order: Strength and Simplicity
The Doric order is the first to appear, it originated in Ancient Greece and is noted for its strength and simplicity; for this reason, it is called the manly style. The columns are robust pillars with ridges and a simple, cushion-like ornamentation at their top known as “echinus.” The entablature (the structure above the column) is simple, consisting of a plain architrave, a frieze with triglyphs (three vertical grooves), and metopes (square spaces often featuring sculptures or reliefs). Because this design…
