Why old buildings use the same leaf design

There’s a reason almost every column has the same leaves…
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In this episode of Vox Almanac, Phil Edwards explores why columns look the way they do - in particular, the leave-strewn Corinthian columns you’ll often see on buildings (both old and new).
These leaves actually have an originating myth courtesy of the writer Vitruvius, crediting Callimachus for the Corinthian column design. The acanthus leaves on the column have remained consistent over millennia, and, over time, have come to represent more than just a sturdy plant.
They’re on display in this video at the National Arboretum, where columns that used to sit on the United States Capitol have been relocated. These striking columns aren’t just a historical record - they’re a symbol of how Corinthian design and acanthus leaves manage to endure over time.
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[@jlee509]

could you please continue the “overrated” series?? I love these kind of inspection amongst art!

[@hallo898gjjjhjjj9]

J Lee Because roman empire still exist . We are now in 2018 years of riman empire. History in school are lie and propaganda. Same Moneyprinters since roman empire. Now look at the central banks and gouvernment building around the globe. SAME architecture. I hope this channal make a video about it.

[@soyokou.2810]

What are you talking about?

[@hallo898gjjjhjjj9]

Soyoko U. Go to google and typ gouvernment buildings of countries. Look at the architecture design.

[@kez9688]

J Lee I

[@mattc5273]

Hallo898 gjjjhjjj you’re crazy. Just because the architecture and influence of a civilisation is still referenced and is still used doesn’t mean that civilisation still exists. We have architecture from many fallen civilisations. Are you trying to say that there is a worldwide conspiracy that the Roman Empire still lives on and controls us all? You need help

[@dickiller2199]

Not old, classical. Don’t even dare to name this great architecture “old”

[@HattieMcDanielonaMoon]

IKR

[@abdeslamtioutiou9169]

@@HattieMcDanielonaMoon dentists are scary

[@HattieMcDanielonaMoon]

@@abdeslamtioutiou9169 🤣

[@ishashka]

It's been used for almost 2500 years now. I don't know what your definition of "old" is, but it meets mine. And there's nothing wrong with something being old.

[@bungleded]

tall leaf pole look good, "old" not fancy enough

[@jocklucas1813]

I feel like Vox is the Wikipedia of KZbin, you just click links and nek minute you're watching a video about leaves on old buildings (big fan tho

[@fruit5003]

Difference being that Wikipedia is unbiased

[@Mmvarto]

Fruit500 why are you here knowing your being fed biased content?

[@fruit5003]

+Miggerz Because I still like (most of) the content. I'll just ignore political ones

[@hedgehog3180]

Expressing an opinion isn't bias. Also Wikipedia is hardly free of bias what do you think edit wars are about?

[@fruit5003]

Vox has 55 videos with "Trump" in title, 7 videos with "Hillary". Most of the Trump were quite negative whereas Hillary ones were more positive. If that isn't bias, I don't know what is. I'm not a political person so I don't really care, but just thought worth mentioning. Didn't/Don't know about Wikipedia wars tho, might check that out.

[@Foomandoonian]

But WHY were the columns removed from the capitol building? I was expecting some sort of interesting story there! (I checked; apparently the building just had an extension put on.)

[@TheJaredtheJaredlong]

The capitol building has more than doubled in size since it was first built. For the longest time it didn't even have it's iconic dome.

[@crixxxxxxxxx]

The columns were removed in 1958 when the base of the Capitol was renovated and expanded so as to keep the dome from looking too top-heavy. This gif shows how the east front was expanded: thehillishome.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Capitol-Changes.gif

[@coitusinfernalis]

Doric were the Spartans, Ionic were the Athenians and Corinthians were from Corinth. Greek city states that had their own style, so simple. Parthenon in Athens Greece has Doric style columns too, because of the 300 Spartans that helped win the war over Xerxes. Also Macedonians were Doric like Spartans

[@mmmayonnaise]

alex coitus Parthenon in Athens is both doric and ionic style.

[@coitusinfernalis]

yes i agree, i just explained the reason why was doric too

[@coitusinfernalis]

im adding a paragraph of wiki for Ionians ____The foundation myth which was current in the Classical period suggested that the Ionians were named after Ion, son of Xuthus, who lived in the north Peloponnesian region of Aigialeia. When the Dorians invaded the Peloponnese they expelled the Achaeans from the Argolid and Lacedaemonia. The displaced Achaeans moved into Aegilaus (thereafter known as Achaea), in turn expelling the Ionians from the Aegilaus.[2] The Ionians moved to Attica and mingled with the local population of Attica, and many later emigrated to the coast of Asia Minor founding the historical region of Ionia. Unlike the austere and militaristic Dorians, the Ionians are renowned for their love of philosophy, art, democracy, and pleasure - Ionian traits that were most famously expressed by the Athenians

[@matthewrichardson8760]

​@@coitusinfernalis The Greeks mainly built the Doric and Ionic columns because they thought the Corinthians were a bit to much, but there is much more to the Doric and ionic columns then just the capitals for instance the Doric order doesn't have a Base at the bottom and is larger at the bottom and goes thinner to the top, and the Ionic order does have a Base at the bottom and is more thicker in the center, also thank you for the info in the first comment you really helped me, because I was thinking why does the Parthenon have Doric columns when the Doric order is meant more for the male gods, and the Ionic order is more for female goddesses and the Parthenon is for Athena so why would it have Doric but then I read your comment so thanks,

[@bobyost42]

@@matthewrichardson8760 the shape of the columns is called entiasis, and has a specific ratio for each style.

[@SciencewithKatie]

The jazz hands were commendable 😂👏🏼

[@hallo898gjjjhjjj9]

Science with Katie Because roman empire still exist . We are now in 2018 years of roman empire. History in school are lie and propaganda. Same Moneyprinters since roman empire. Now look at the central banks and gouvernment building around the globe. SAME architecture. I hope this Channal make a video about it....!!!!

[@Bobelponge123]

Hallo898 gjjjhjjj that is why it is so gr8

[@CM-rp3zx]

Why do I always see you in other KZbinrs comment section? Coincidence? I think not.

[@DraxTrac]

It should be illegal for you to make a comment

[@Bobelponge123]

DraxTrac yes please

[@LashanR]

I remember studying this in architecture, but we never learned any reasoning behind the Corinthian design. Good to know!

[@user-cr3pn7rk2v]

they should tech more global architecture like Islamic and East Asian designs. too much focus on Europe

[@azerim2039]

I learned it in primary school (Poland).

[@MB-st7be]

They do. In Islammic and East Asian countries.

[@aniketbiswas7660]

Valve Wizard Not enough

[@natashanicole7408]

Depending on the area, the climate, local tastes and prefered construction methods may not mesh well with Islamic and East Asian architecture. Even in Islamic and East Asian countries, the current predominant styles aren't very traditional - everything is global now.

[@junodelcampo946]

I wish Vox Borders come back :( (Vox Almanac is the second best thing in Vox, but I miss Borders the most)

[@MarkWTK]

Borders can come back... if we pay them to come to our country ;)

[@lawrencetchen]

Second this!!!

[@junodelcampo946]

Yus, Vox Borders is back!

[@piotrekkrolikowski344]

vox is intentionally misleading

[@PlayGroundsChannel]

we should build more old buildings 💡

[@harrisonkitney1062]

PlayGrounds Channel they look a lot better than the buildings today

[@ryuksapples1]

Theyre not as economically viable and sustainable. You could incorporate the classical order and ornament into modern day building, people still do. But its just not realistic for many buildings needed today

[@riyazuo]

Then they wouldn't be old

[@marvelfannumber1]

+Flay Ever heard of "revival" styles? You realize that Classical style buildings were already 2000 years old when they built the buildings in D.C? Good art is always good art, and will never really become outdated, regardless of how old it is.

[@Toykio]

As a civil engineer i guess you mean historic style buildings. Also as a civil engineer i can say that your idea is plain stupid. Here‘s why: Cost. Purpose. Functionality. If you want ancient buildings, you think of the ones still standing today which are stone buildings. Cutting, transporting and working with giant stone slabs is a pain in the butt. From a static point of view you their is a limit to what stone with no reinforcement (steel) can carry in arcs. Furthermore the isolation is terrible while the price for the work is insane. The most ancient buildings like these are in warm regions and also not often privat homes, rather open places like temples or castles. I know they look great, but trust me, there is a reason why the Romans came up with cement and houses are build from wood mostly.

[@moritzschroder]

interesting that a video like that gets on trending! no clickbait, so sensationalism, just good content. i love it! gives me hope for more serious channels like my own 💪

[@thevioletskull8158]

this is why I love this channel, talking about things that most people would not talk about.

[@chucklee4446]

When I was in school I was taught that Doric columns represented masculinity. So they would be found on a temple for Zeus. Ionic columns represented femininity. They would be found on a temple for aphrodite. Corinthian columns represent the public. Therefore they are appropriate for the capital building because it houses the representatives of the people.

[@hendriktackx8652]

I litterally had an exam about these pillars today

[@OurFoundingLiars]

Stop focusing on the illuminati triangle and focus on the leaf column symbol of the organic troll order. Keep asking questions.

[@wikipediafan2515]

Lmao, now whenever I see a vox video I know you will be in the comment section XD

[@get-the-joke]

Never use a weeping angel as a caryatid!

[@ahistoryfanatic5683]

It's not even the Illuminati! It's the Freemasons for Pete's sake

[@OurFoundingLiars]

Mr Dragon sounds like you’ve received some inside information

[@checkmatefurries286]

Gotta pay the troll toll

[@jonesnj07]

*Architecture that people love: Domes, Columns, Arches* *Architecture that Architects like: stacked shoe boxes*

[@augusto7681]

Nathan Jones who knows better architecture ? Who study history and understand why we build "boxes" today?

[@jonesnj07]

Augusto classical architecture isn't taught anymore. Tbere's such an effort to preserve all historic architecture because generations of people love it. I'll go with the public, generation after generation, they seems to know better what people like.

[@cule189911]

you dont understand architecture, just shut up

[@TheJaredtheJaredlong]

Nathan Jones For the record I have a Masters of Architecture that was focused entirely on Classicism. It's very much still taught to those that want learn it.

[@jonesnj07]

yohan cruyff most pre 1930's architecture almost universally loved, post 1930 almost universally hated. That's the reality of it, whether you like it or not.

[@charleskuhn382]

Reminds me of my greek lessons in school

[@pcmasterace1533]

Charles Kuhn yep yep it is

[@killeenlarose2244]

Charlies Kuhn

[@JayTuberTaken]

I really like these types of Vox videos where it's more or less apolitical.

[@hedgehog3180]

Actually architecture is incredibly political. There's often huge debates over which buildings should be preserved, which styles new buildings should be built in etc. Not to mention the fact that the very act of using these columns is a way for the US government to link themselves to the ancient Greek and Roman democracies. This is essentially a declaration in the form of architecture that the US is the successor to ancient Greece and Rome. That is incredibly political. It just happens to be politics which you have become used to and have accepted and therefor it is inoffensive to you and you perceive that as it being apolitical.

[@adamsmith1323]

The video isn't openly adversarial toward the right like many Vox videos are, but it certainly isn't apolitical. I felt the last note of the video (that acanthus leaves "may never be replaced") touches on the issue of mass immigration in a subtle way. There is a lot of anxiety on the right about the imminent extinction of western civilization and the threat of being "replaced" by outsiders. So talking about the endurance of a symbol of the west is more than just a "fun fact" moment.

[@sirmason404]

@Adam Smith Well, I'm gonna try and ignore that first sentence for obvious reasons but I am gonna have to say you gotta be on some special kinda mess to think that the last note of the video "touches on the issue of mass immigration in a subtle way". Really? Are you honestly serious? First of all, the acanthus leaves aren't a "symbol of the west" in any way, shape, or form. Secondly, western civilization is not in any danger of "imminent extinction". It's not gonna be "replaced" by "outsiders". This video was literal just about a cool architectural fact and you're trying to twist it with some weird, nonsense agenda. Could you maybe, I don't know... Not? "A lot of anxiety on the right"... Please... Can we not start this bull? And just enjoy this literal fun fact moment? And oof @hedgehog3180, just reread your comment. If there really is some strange statement trying to be made through architecture that the US is somehow a succesor to ancient Greece and Rome, then wow. The US can't really believe that? I mean, sure, we take inspiration and yes, ancient civilization played a huge role in the development to many modern civilizations (obviously) but for people to claim that the US is somehow a "successor" to ancient Greece and Rome is so friggin' ridiculous. Such a bold claim for the country to make with nothing to back it up. Also, added note to @Putraenus Alivius , while these videos are fun and a nice break from the constant stress of everyday life and everyday politics, their political videos are just important. Not saying that you feel they aren't important, though.

[@adamsmith1323]

I agree that the idea of the west actually ending is pretty ridiculous, even comical, but some people really believe it and talk about it a lot. For them it's the most important political idea of our time. Maybe they are being overdramatic, but they claim to mean it literally, and seem sincere. Although you'd think, considering the brutal legacy of colonialism the west has wrought across the world, they might have a stiffer upper lip about something as benign as immigration. As far as the US being the successor of Rome, it might not be a fair claim, but it's not that there is nothing there. The history of the US does have many similarities to the early history of Rome. There was even a time when Romans first began to see their fellow Romans not as compatriots but as enemies to be conquered, like the right and the left are beginning to see each other today. I think people appreciate a break from that - that there is something nice about videos that aren't adversarial to the other side.

[@sirmason404]

I don't think simply having similarities to the country could count towards the claim that it could in some way be a successor. Many, many countries have similarities to ancient civilizations -- especially Greek, Roman, and Egyptian -- because we learned from them and they had significant roles that in history that is continuing to influence us to this day. I feel like there'd have to be a lot more for a country to claim or even be slightly considered a successor than just being similar to or influenced by an ancient civilization in practically the exact same way as many, many other places. And fighting amongst people isn't something that should count at all. There is internal conflict all over the world in all kinds of ways and for many different reasons. If that counted, then technically, any country could already have one point towards possibly being the next such-and-such. It can't even be narrowed down to just Rome or Greece. It's just too broad and too natural of a thing. And as for the right vs left, a lot of people would like to simplify it to citizens fighting citizens rather than just seeing each other as equals or something but it isn't that simple in any way at all. Even in the past! People fought over serious reasons -- not just because they wanted to or over something silly. But I suppose at the end of the day, I can agree that taking a break is nice every once in a while. It's draining constantly reading articles, sharing videos, writing essays, having debates, and just generally fighting -- even if it's for a good cause, it still takes a toll mentally and physically. My anxiety has been through the roof these past two to three weeks. Can't even leave the bed some mornings. So I can definitely agree that it's nice to open up the internet and be met with just some interesting and fun facts about architecture, even if it's just for a few minutes.

[@cooladri1825]

I love how informative you are Vox! But you always have a great sense of humor to not bore the people!

[@gotchabitch7361]

Nobody asked for this video, *yet it's fascinating*

[@gabrielacampos5069]

This is giving me flashbacks from AP Art History lessons in highschool

[@parishti5925]

I always used to have this special fascination about these columns and I still have. I wanted to know about these beautiful thinks. Thank you so much for sharing this video. Really helped. Keep posting such good things

[@aryaa7028]

Honestly, politics can get so stressful, Almanac always makes me feel better, I love your content.

[@Sam-lr9oi]

I would love a video in this series about the murals adorning the ceilings of Supreme Court chambers in various states and D.C. Incredible stuff, Phil and Carlos always knock it out of the park. ...and Jon Bois

[@wagie95]

:( we’ve reached a place where classical architecture is just seen as “old” :(

[@blancavelasquez9859]

tbh i feel like a lot of people are falling in love with it again specially with videos like these plus in a world where only modern buildings are being built we like to see variety and bringing back some good oldies never hurts

[@Fee581]

@@blancavelasquez9859 it's slowly coming back!! :)

[@KarolisJurevicius]

Finally, you clarified for me something that I was taught at school but could never tell a difference between different orders. Thanks!

[@zacharykingston1046]

as a painter who has painted many columms i appreciate this...

[@thecrazeecow1682]

These are the type of pillars I have in my house

[@PrefesionalGamer47]

this brought me back to my humanities class, my professor made us memorize how they look like, the culture they belong to, and the years in which they came about. it was super interesting

[@CheekySmile98]

I’ve always seen these never knew what they were until this video thanks vox 😊

[@fatimata9401]

I remember learning this in school, but never thought it was a real topic

[@matthewmckenna248]

These types of videos are fantastic!

[@ck88777]

I've always loved the Acanthus design but had no idea how old it really is. It's age really explains how refined and elegant the design is

[@sargassum8548]

I truly missed these videos produced by Phil ! :( This was another creative and informative content, you'll only get in Vox. ^^

[@pondererofpointlessdreams5029]

I expected to learn from Vox and I expected to be fascinated by Vox, but I never expected to start randomly craving corn from looking at leaves on a column.

[@LovatoLover22]

I love when Phil does videos!

[@rawwwwr4376]

oh yes, i love it, please review more on architecture around the world!

[@vishakhabanerjee4424]

the hand gestures by phil are really awsome felt like a audience in a theatere

[@michaelutt6532]

Please do more videos on architecture. I find this oddball history super fascinating.

[@seasong7655]

Can you 3D print these columns?

[@zonzeven]

Yes, but it takes ages !

[@pluransart1795]

Don't see why not

[@sam08g16]

And does it float?

[@rinalds637]

I'm not sure how you could print the overhangs than wrap under themselves.

[@zabba7461]

Rinalds Raivo Romanovskis They're vertical columns, they don't need overhangs.

[@saranshgothi3720]

Adding it to my architecture playlist

[@sketchstoriesofedrickgonza4368]

That’s why I love Corinthian columns.

[@Hyvitetty]

I wonder why we are so interested in columns in particular when it comes to old architecture

[@john.2479]

I never thought a video on columns could be so interesting...

[@darwinqpenaflorida3797]

Greek Column Orders can be seen here in the Philippines which is influenced by the Americans as the architecture of the Neoclassical from Manila Post Office to various government buildings such as provincial capitols and municipal hall

[@Tony.H03]

Was about to correct you about those being composite rather than corinthian, glad you caught it.

[@Ben-rz9cf]

Congratulations, Vox. You managed to compress some of the key highlights i'd gleaned from an online course from Yale into a 4 minute youtube video.

[@philrabe910]

Thanks for helping me 'get' composite columns after all these years!! We had to start studying the Egyptian and Mycenaean columns too, but you rarely see them emulated in architecture today. Theatre school. Because you never know when you'll need an egyptian column!

[@r3drift436]

I love how random but interesting these videos are.

[@estebandidoi1790]

I will never be able to unsee this

[@harverc229]

Those same leaf designs for old buildings looks like and reminds me of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire uses a lot of those designs.

[@latifa4600]

The whole video felt like part of my primary/high school history class. Here in Spain you can even choose to take classic history instead of a third language (usually french) in high school.

[@Chameleon1616]

You can tell how much of a snob for architecture I am when hearing him referring to classical buildings as “old buildings” pulled a nerve.

[@michael_paez_]

Those Jazz hands made my day. The history of flower top columns was cool too.

[@lozero]

Well the interesting question here would have been : "why old roman and Greek buildings used acanthus leafs as decoration "

[@sarcasmo57]

I always add these leaves to my columns.

[@trainbow2631]

How I remember columns is Doric: basic boi, Ionic: fancy boi, Corinthian: mega fancy boi

[@Mrk_Rys]

This guy needs his own channel

[@Rafa-rz2nb]

Thank you VITRUVIUS

[@captaintaylor8265]

In early greek history classes you learn about all column kinds. The doric one was mainly used in peloponisos reflecting the austere logic that influenced the whole spartan way of life. The more you know..

[@jana_a_banana]

I just wrote a 5 page paper on corinthian columns. I was so happy when I saw this video.

[@sarunadi4344]

i love that column

[@sadpeepolv6185]

i love these segments omlll

[@FossilBluff]

Nice! Totally relevant to a project I'm working on.

[@EpicAdvanture]

This is so nerdy. I love it!

[@lmdfx]

Love this series, great stuff

[@nikhilv457]

i used to miss ALMANAC

[@eugenedebs3281]

It’s cool that I already knew this due to the fact I made a research paper on these types of orders on columns for my history of architecture class in college, a little more history on the Ionic and Doric columns: these two orders were made in two different places in Greece around the same timeframe from each other, the ionic order from the Ionians ethnic group and the Doric order from the dorians. The Corinthian order came a little after these two were created. In history the column itself was a sign of power, that’s why you usually see the government buildings having columns because it gives off a feel of power to the people or if the government goes rogue, a feel of tyranny against the people. Overall columns and the type of order it uses can give off a different feel to the person seeing it, but I don’t want to go into this because it would take a really long time to explain. I advice everyone to appreciate the architecture that surrounds us because there is usually a lot of meaning and history behind everything.

[@EpicBenjo]

0:32 why

[@asaturn]

The east columns were removed in 1958 and replaced with less complex marble versions to match the other side of the building. Why were the columns on the other side different? Because they accidentally made the building's iron dome too big, and used more "plain" columns to even out the appearance. So the ornate columns on the west side (in this video) had to go.

[@SimonSozzi7258]

But why were the originals replaced at all?

[@Rijndael1998]

Please keep to this kind of content Vox

[@melchizedekpsj]

Interesting. Never thought about it until now.

[@blacknizzle]

dude im here. you guys stole this information from my brain! i learned this in ART 14 back in 2007.

[@smilerin7529]

I needed this.. 4 months ago

[@darsua]

Vox videos are always something less mainstream

[@callistine8559]

Every time a Vox video pops up, I'm like hmm I've thought of it but never really "thought"of it

[@Henrikko123]

Finally a good video from VOX!

[@muhilan8540]

I've noticed this and I even looked it up where I found out that these are acanthus leaves. However, I just thought, "These are all the same because they are all Corinthian columns." I thought nothing more of it but now I know.

[@JoyOkBuyJ]

So why were these moved ? Other than a remodel do the new columns look different?

[@anna6094]

Pretty glad I took an Art History course in Highschool! so cultural and interesting.

[@missmerrybelly22]

Interesting. I’ve always liked this old style

[@Kumar731995]

Whatever vox uploads, I am addicted lol

[@Moni.i.i]

Thank you! More videos please

[@justintai8725]

Fascinating. I'd love to know more about the decoration of classical architecture.

[@99txgh]

In the UK, many buildings have the Tudor rose on it, the reason why is so interesting as well

[@DemonDaria]

wow, for the first time I know the subject ot the topic very well well done btw, Vox

[@matthewrichardson8760]

The Greeks mainly built the Doric and Ionic columns because they thought the Corinthians were a bit to much, but there is much more to the Doric and ionic columns then just the capitals for instance the Doric order doesn't have a Base at the bottom and is larger at the bottom and goes thinner to the top, and the Ionic order does have a Base at the bottom and is more thicker in the center,

[@SaiyanBrat]

Him jumping out the second time just killed me! Lol

[@redrum818]

Legend says that there was a man that shook the entire world with his hands. 0:32

[@divideby4tarnation82]

Great vid learned this in school,but this is much deeper

[@thatoneguy6687]

Only you would make me interested into something like this vox

[@leroy92TX]

Why do i pee when i poop

[@ingamarrays]

Im so glad we have mostly stoped slapping columns on every freekin building

[@brayanlopez2015]

Another vox video with something I surely didn't need to know, nevertheless I watched it to the end

[@stee9478]

Well, it is used because it is beautiful. Real answer.

[@factfun7952]

I love most of Voxs stuff

[@rediponto9588]

Finaly some solid contents from Vox

[@scientificrevolutionary1322]

The old speech room at Harrow School (my alma matter) also consist of these leaf engraved columns.

[@nursarahazhar]

do more of architectural stuff. this is awesome

[@macbuff81]

I lived in the DC area and never knew about those columns. Why were they moved ?