Afternoon light in the Central Nave
light comes from the east and with it salvation. The eastern façade illustrates optimism whereas the suffering of Christ is depicted on the western façade, the direction of the setting of the sun.
Colours are also used symbolically throughout the building. For example, green is used extensively on the Portal of Hope on the eastern facade in contrast to the more sombre colours on the western side. Most of Gaudí‘s architecture is characterised by colour. The use of glazed ceramic decoration allowed him to play with reflected and refracted light.