what's in the great dome of the cathedral?

[kolja]

I recently visited the cathedral of the Saint james in SdC. impressive! but what is the painting of a pyramid and eye about? easily found in the apex of the great dome, watching out over everything that happens in it.
I have never associated this with catholic images.
if anyone has any thoughts on this an answer would be appreciated.
thanks!

 

[Peter Robins]

I recently visited the cathedral of the Saint james in SdC. impressive! but what is the painting of a pyramid and eye about? easily found in the apex of the great dome, watching out over everything that happens in it.
I have never associated this with catholic images

I have to admit I have not noticed it in Santiago but, assuming it's an eye in a triangle, it's a very common Christian image generally called the Eye of Providence. The all-seeing eye is widely found in other religions, for example in Buddhism, and dates back at least to the Egyptians. In Christian art it's generally associated with a triangle, representing the Trinity.

The association specifically with a pyramid is best known from the Great Seal of the USA and also the dollar bill.

See, for example, wikipedia's page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_of_Providence