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An onion dome is a type of architectural dome that frequently adorns Russian Orthodox Churches. These bulbous structures taper smoothly to a point, and strongly resemble the vegetable after which they are named.
Symbolism
The domes are often brightly painted; the colours symbolise different aspects of religion. Green, blue, and gold domes represent the Holy Trinity, the Spirit of God, and Jesus, respectively. Green domes (representing submission) appear on monasteries. The inner surface of the onion domes are often vividly painted with frescoes and murals.
Onion domes often appear in groups of three or five, representing the Holy Trinity or Jesus and the Four Evangelists, respectively. Domes standing alone represent Jesus.
History
The domes reflect the influence of earlier Byzantine architecture, evolving from the broader, flatter domes of the helmet-like style to a form particularly suitable for northern climes and preventing snow from piling on the roof.
The largest onion domes were erected in the area around Yaroslavl, famous for its large onions. Some of the domes of Yaroslavl churches are as long as the main cube of the church.
Other important types of Orthodox cupolas are antique helmet domes (e.g., Cathedral of the Dormition and Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow), Ukrainian pear domes (e.g., Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev), and baroque bud domes (e.g., St. Andrew's Church in Kiev.)
Byzantine influences also spread to Persian architecture and points further east, exemplified by the iconic domes of the 1630 Taj Mahal. (In this context, the domes are occasionally described as Persian domes.)
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