You are now looking at the right portal of Chartres Cathedral. The tympanum of the portal – the sculpted area above the door – is dedicated to a very significant figure in many traditions: the Virgin Mary. Her story, as depicted here, is central to the idea of a divine presence entering the human world."" Let's begin our journey at the bottom, on the lintel, that horizontal band of stone. On the far left, look closely and you'll see a winged figure standing beside a woman. This is the Archangel Gabriel, in the act of announcing to the Virgin Mary that she will give birth to Christ. It's a moment of divine message and acceptance."" Just beside this to the right, we see two women standing beside each other, a scene known as the Visitation. In this scene, Mary, who is pregnant with Christ, is visited by her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. It's a beautiful depiction of two expectant mothers sharing a significant moment."" Continuing along the lintel, right in the center. You see a woman lying in a box with a small horizontal figure on top of the box. You are looking at the most pivotal scene: Mary in the manger, having just given birth. You can see the Christ Child, swaddled, just above her. The statue of baby Jesus is damaged with time. Immediately to the right of that, you'll see the Adoration of the Shepherds. Here, three shepherds have come to honor the newborn Christ Child. If you look closely you can see the sheep in the lintel. ""Now, let's look at the scene directly above the manger, higher up on the lintel. You can see a row of figures with a small figure standing on a platform in the middle. This small figure is held by a man and woman from either side. This scene depicts the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, where Mary and Joseph have brought the Christ Child to the temple, a sacred custom."" ""Finally, let's look at the main section of the tympanum itself. Here, you'll see the Virgin Mary enthroned, seated majestically, with the Christ Child on her lap. Angels stand on either side, in attendance. This entire composition is often referred to as the Throne of Wisdom."" ""When Christ is shown seated on Mary's lap, her body is symbolically understood as the 'Throne of Wisdom,' and Christ himself is seen as the embodiment of divine wisdom. In this powerful imagery, Mary is not only the representation for wisdom but also, for many, a representation of the Church itself. This portal beautifully tells a story of faith, birth, and the embodiment of wisdom in the world. If you are wondering if there is a reason behind choosing these specific scenes on the three entrance portals, the answer is yes, and I will explain it to you in the next stop.