What are some common design elements of a Mithraic temple?

1. Sol Invictus Symbol: The Mithraic temple typically features the symbol of Sol Invictus, the unconquered sun, prominently displayed either inside or outside the temple.

2. Narrow Entryway: The entryway to the Mithraic temple is often narrow, which symbolizes the birth canal and the rebirth that takes place during initiation.

3. Darkness: Many Mithraic temples were designed to be deliberately dimly lit or even completely dark, to symbolize the cosmos and the journey from ignorance to enlightenment.

4. Central Altar: The central altar was the most important feature of the temple, and it was usually located in a raised platform, representing the transition from earth to heaven.

5. Frescoes: Mithraic temples were often decorated with frescoes that depicted scenes from Mithraic mythology, such as Mithras slaying the bull, or the god's birth from a rock.

6. Pillars: The pillars in Mithraic temples were typically decorated with reliefs and sculptures of animals, representing the planets and the constellations.

7. Sunken Pit: Some Mithraic temples featured a sunken pit, which represented the underworld and the place of the dead.

8. Astrological Motifs: Many Mithraic temples featured astrological motifs, such as the zodiac, which represents the universe and the forces of nature.

Publication date: