Rose Stained Glass Windows are very common in Gothic architecture and can be seen in many Gothic Cathedrals in France. The cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris has several very beautiful rose windows. Traditionally, the term rose window was used to apply to a circular window that is divided into sections by stone mullions and has intricate designs. When used in cathedrals, the stained glass often had religious scenes depicted in the stained glass, but patterns without pictures were also used. You can also find examples of rose windows that use leaded instead of stone mullions.

While working on this project, it is a great time to talk about the meaning of “symmetry” which is the quality of being made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis.

Materials and Supplies for Paper Rose Stained Glass Windows :

• butcher paper
• water colors
• pencil
• black permanent marker
• vegetable oil
• plate for tracing – we used a 4 1/2″ plate for small rose window and a 9″ plate for large rose window
• scissors
• rubber cement for hanging on window

Directions Paper Rose Stained Glass Windows :

Using a round plate as a template, trace the circle on the butcher paper. Cut out the circle.

Fold the circle in half, then in quarters.

Using a pencil, lightly draw a design on one of the exposed quarters. When you are satisfied with the design, go over the pencil lines with a permanent black marker.

Open the circle once, so it is still folded in half. Turn the circle over so the design you just created is under an unmarked quarter. The butcher paper is quite translucent and you should easily be able to see the black marks you traced on the first quarter. Using the black marker, trace your design on this second quarter.

Open the circle and refold so the two quarters that have been drawn are together and the two blank quarters are together. Trace the design on the blank half of the circle.

Open the circle. The entire circle should now be drawn and the design should be circular.

Using the black marker, outline the outer edge of the circle.

Using water color paints, paint the sections of your circle. Again, discuss symmetry. Each quarter should be painted exactly the same.

After the paint dries, rub vegetable oil on the front and back of your circle.

Blot off excess oil.

Pick a window that gets lots of sun! To hang on a window, cover one side of your design with rubber cement and press on the window.

Stand back and enjoy the beauty of your rose window!

Variation for Larger Rose Window:

Cut out a 9″ circle.

Fold the paper in half then in quarters like you did for the 4 1/2″ circle.

You are now going to fold this into eighths. Do not simply fold the circle on itself again. It will make your folds too thick and it will distort your window. Instead, fold it “accordion” style, bringing one of the quarter edges to the center fold, then flip it over and do the same to the other side.

Now, draw a design on one eighth, and continue drawing, refolding and tracing until the entire circle is complete.

When the rose window is all filled in, trace around the other edge. Proceed coloring and oiling like you did the smaller window.

Hang up and enjoy the view!