Part 7/10:
Beyond the technical marvels, Angkor Wat is steeped in symbolic significance, designed to reflect celestial themes rooted in Hindu cosmology. Each architectural element, from the five towering spires representing the mythical Mount Meru to the surrounding moat symbolizing the cosmic ocean, serves to evoke a sense of divine presence. The geometric layout, reminiscent of a mandala, also underscores the idea of the temple being an axis mundi, or a central point of the universe.