Mustard Seeds -Haiku 2024 Thursday Doors

Posted bySuzette BenjaminPosted inPoetryTags:
West Portals, Saint Michael Church, Dijon, Burgundy France. Licensed Image credit: © Leonid Andronov | Dreamstime

cavernous portals

rooted deep as mustard seeds

growing with grape vines

**In this post… a bonus feature plus bonus doors

Originally a small wooden church building in the 9th century, Saint Michael Church, Dijon, Burgundy France was twice rebuilt (10th and 16th centuries) into a mix of Gothic-influenced architectural styles from Doric to Romanesque.

On the *featured doors, the West Portals’ central doorway, Archangel Michael’s life-sized statue stands on the trumeau/mullion (central column) between the carved relief doors.

The tympanum sculptures above the door depicting the Last Judgement were created by an unknown sculptor inspired by Nicolas de la Cour’s painting of the Last Judgement.

The cavernous-recessed portal and unique vault of the featured doors display a host of angels in intricate sculptural details, each one set out in an individual niche.

West Portal, Saint Michael Church, Dijon Burgundy France. Licensed image credit: © Boris Breytman
| Dreamstime

Trivia #1: Above the doors and looking upward on the facade, the first three storeys represent the Archangels: Raphael, Gabriel, and Michael (*See the first/featured photo above).

Saint Michael Church, Dijon, Burgundy France. Licensed image credit: © Leonid Andronov | Dreamstime

Trivia: #2: **Bonus feature and doors

It is perhaps fair to say that, one cannot mention the city of Dijon and not give a shout-out to the exclusive (by French royal appointment) Maille Mustard famous for centuries.

In the Middle Ages, Dijon was the hub of mustard production in Europe. It was common practice to cultivate mustard plants in the vineyards alongside grapevines—the specific practice was to grow Mustard trees in the vineyards around the base of the grapevines.

Established in 1797, the featured bonus doors are the entrances to the original shop of the famous Maille Mustard brand in Dijon, still in operation today (images are below).

And of course, let me not fail to mention that famous French culinary proverb: “There’s no mustard except in Dijon!”

Moutard Maille, Dijon Burgundy France. Licensed image credit: © Suse Schulz | Dreamstime
Moutard Maille, Dijon Burgundy France. Licensed image credit: © Lembi Buchanan | Dreamstime

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Published by Suzette Benjamin

Positive thinker, inspirational, writer, faith

47 thoughts on “Mustard Seeds -Haiku 2024 Thursday Doors”

  2. Dijon mustard truly stands apart; even though I hardly taste it these days, there’s truth in the saying, “There’s no mustard like that of Dijon.”

    Saint Michael’s Church in Dijon is another marvel, with its cavernous, intricate portals that almost command a blessing with every step through its arches.

    Gazing at the flamboyant stonework of today’s grand cathedral, it’s astounding to think it once began as a simple wooden chapel – a testament to how a community church can flourish when embraced by wealthier congregants.

    It brings to mind the parable of the mustard seed: humble origins growing into something extraordinary.

    Perhaps it’s no coincidence that the mustard seeds of Dijon developed their unique flavor from the mustard plants cultivated alongside the grapevines. And to think, Maille, established in 1797, still carries this legacy.

    What a fittingly beautiful cathedral haiku offering for a Thursday – rich in history and flavor alike

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I love mustard since I was very young, it was my favorite to put on almost everything…lol. Sometimes I just drank it straight for the bottle (for realzzz)….lol to the annoyance of my grandma!

      The portal is quite historic and unique there are only a few that deeply recessed in all of France and this church has one of the most intricate sculptural presentations in cavernous arches.

      You are right, I did not mention the funding it was All from local donations…it took several centuries to complete for that reason. And the wealthy did a great deal of support. This was an era of passionate building projects all over Europe.

      Yes! Well spotted the parable of the mustard seet Matt 13:31 fits beautifully in this church’s journey…Amen!

      Maille is still well regarded in the still lucrative dijon style mustards. Says a lot about their quality product.
      Glad you enjoyed the share. A pleasure to share the bits I find on these sacred places.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. You know what Poet, I was use to eating a good amount of mustard mixed with tomato sauce with crisp onions and gherkins on a hit dog. It was an absolute delight to eat from the street carts selling takeaway foods especially in the heart of winter and I can guarantee you our favourite cart used dijon mustard. We don’t do much of that these days. When the kids were younger yes it was a nice Friday night treat. My buddies don’t really know much about this treat, but there is a liking for mustard now and then.

        The arches are majestic and intricately sculptured indeed.

        I absolutely enjoyed exploring your Thursday offering and visited each area you mentioned in your story.
        Thank you once again.

        Liked by 2 people

      3. Yes, thats how I mostly remember the mustard and enjoyed it as much as you did. Well I can’t remember annoying my grandma.
        Naughty naughty you.

        I did, your mustard seed haiku took me places.
        Happy Thursday’s bliss and Halloween 🎃

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Pingback: Mustard Seeds -Haiku 2024 Thursday Doors | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  4. I’ll start with the doors, Suzette. I would never make it inside the church in time for the service. I would stand, gawking at the walls and ceiling of the entrance, probably bumping into elderly women on their way in.

    Your poem hinted at the bonus, and it was well received. Thanks for spicing up our Thursday Doors experience. I hope you have a great weekend!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Yes, I can see myself doing the same, even the photos had me gobsmacked at the arch minature sculptures in particular.
      Thank you for your work and for hosting ThursdayDoors. A pleasure to join in. And blessed weekend to you as well.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. A wonderful post, those recessed portals are utterly astonishing, what a way to enter such a building. Dijon mustard adorned our plates last night alongside our sausages and mash.

    Liked by 2 people

      2. Going to this church I would have to arrive really early before the service so I can really just stand there and take it all in. The portal with the carving overhead is amazing. Love the haiku. A good post!

        pat

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Couldn’t help myself but to zoom in to see the individual angels. So much to take in! Mustard takes everything up a level!! Use it on pork loin before applying the bbq rub. So Good!! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  16. When I recover from Dan’s pun about spicing up the weekend, I’ll tell you that I’d join him and you in a long gawk. We’d be in the way, of course, but surely nobody could just walk in — “lift up your hearts” starts with “lift up your eyes,” yes? We’d just be doing what the artists wanted us to do. I had no idea that good mustard grew with wine! What a lovely thought! Thanks, Suzette!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes lift up your eyes is the beginning of that verse Amen. I am glad you enjoyed the share and the deliberate paring of the story of mustard with a house of faith and and vineyards.
      Thank you Maureen for your wonderful comments and support. Blessings to you day and upcoming week.

      Liked by 1 person

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