Doors cover entrances. They provide protection, separate one space from another, and allow free movement in and out.
They can be small or large, ornate or plain, narrow or wide, keyed or sliding, swinging or revolving, open or closed. They can even be false.
Doors can be made of wood, iron, glass or mesh, and have knobs, handles, pulls, plates or nothing at all. Whatever their composition or design, they describe motion. They also tell us something about their owners and about the places they guard; some even inspire narratives.
Automatic doors test our faith – will they open when we approach?
Glass doors sometimes propel us beyond the immediate moment, causing us focus on the inside, our destination. Have you ever walked into one? It snaps your attention right back to the present.
Entrances and doors have been used as metaphors for hope, opportunity and inspiration. An open door suggests welcome. We recall happy times, laughter, and loved ones. A closed door piques curiosity. There’s mystery there, or is there? It can also suggest a missed opportunity. There’s no mystery, however, when one’s been shut or slammed in your face.
Our lives are a series of entrances and exits.
How many entrances and doors will you walk through today?
When one door is closed, don’t you know, another is open.
“Coming in From the Cold” Bob Marley
“Every exit is an entrance somewhere else.” Tom Stoppard
This post was inspired by Celia’s recent post at Africa to Asia.
This is my submission to Travel Photo Thursday, which is organized by Nancie at Budget Travelers Sandbox. Be sure to head over and check out more photos from locations around the world.
Fun post. Would have liked to have seen some of Dublin’s famous doors!
Beautiful collection, my favorite is the Havana door.
I love taking pictures of doors too! Unfortunately my post on the doors in Europe is still in my Drafts folder. 😀
This is great! I have a ton of pictures of doors and have been thinking of writing a post about them. I really love the big ornate doors. They’re so pretty!
I love posts on doors as they really do come in all shapes, sizes and colours just like people. We need a new front door and I don’t want any old door. I want something with character as I think it says a little something about you. Your Havana door is my favourite.
While London is my favorite city, I love the doors in Toronto- so cool and modern!
Doors if open give a peek into another world. If they are closed they lead me to think what might be on the other side. After going to Morocco I realize that a plain boring door can hide an amazing riad on the other side.
I love doors and you have a delightful selection of them here. Thanks for sharing them.
This is a great collection of doors, Marcia! I’m drawn to the Paris, Havana and Jamaica doors. i love how you incorporated those lovely quotes in here. Wonderful post!
There’s mystique in some of these doors and others, you really want to get to the other side of to know what happens on a daily basis. And just imagine, or maybe you don’t have to since you’re there, but exiting your door and seeing that beautiful Jamaican water. Nice place to chill anytime.
I agree, Totsy, it’s great to see the water. It’s so soothing.
There’s mystique behind some of those doors too!
Thanks, I’m glad you like those – they are some of my favorites — and the quotes.
There’s so much more to doors!
You’re welcome. I’m glad you like them too, Cindy.
I can’t wait to go to Morocco, Jan. I’d love to see some of those doors and what they hide.
Open or closed, doors can be quite intriguing.
That they are, Jan. They are my favorites for the same reason too.
I agree, Leigh. A door says a lot about the owner and the house. Hope you find a suitable door soon — I know you will!
Great, Debbie. I can’t wait to see your doors!
I’d love to see your doors, Aleah. I bet you have some beautiful ones from Europe.
Thanks, Muza-chan. It is one of my favorites too.
Thanks, Eileen. Would love to see them too.
I collect photos of doors and windows too. Great selections!
Beautiful narration and what a variety of doors. They are all so different and all so pretty. I too love to capture doors, they do have mystery about them 🙂
Have a lovely weekend Marcia 🙂
I love the ivy-covered Toronto door. It looks so mysterious! Thanks for the mention 🙂
How did I miss this on Thursday!? Love this post Marcia. . .doors and windows always have me aiming the camera towards them.
Beautiful shots! I\’ve already purchased an architectural album about doors, there are really beautiful examples around the world!
Doors and windows are two of my favorite photo subjects. All of these are beautiful. I particularly like the second one from Havana…so classy!
Each door tells a different story, doesn’t it? Very interesting post — you’ve got me thinking. Now what about revolving doors? I suppose they make us wonder if we’re coming or going!
Am I the only one with “Come On Baby Light My Fire” going through my head? These are definitely some great door photos Marcia. Right now I’m wishing I could walk through those last two Jamaica doors. They seem to be separating me from where I’d like to be right about now.
Hahaha, I hear you, Steve. And yes, I did think about The Doors when I was putting the post together. That Greatest Hits album, especially, is burned into my head.
Great observation, Cathy, I hadn’t even thought of it. But now I’m thinking of a scene from a movie when two people meet in a revolving door and keep going round until one — I think it was the guy – stopped it. Can’t remember which movie it is though.
That it is, Nancie – classy. Doors and windows are sometimes so full of character.
Oh, that must be so lovely! I can only imagine how spectacularly beautiful they must be.
Thanks, Jackie. I probably posted after you did. They do capture our attention, don’t they?
You’re welcome, Celia! Glad you like it, it does have a mysterious look.
Thanks, Arti. Would love to see some of your door photos.
Thanks, Michael. Would be nice to see some of your photos.
Love this post…great pictures and quotes!
These are awesome doors… I love elegant doors and until recently, had no idea how expensive the door business is… TY 🙂
Funny, I hadn’t thought of cost though now that you mention it, doors would be big business.
Thanks, DJ, glad you like the post.
Living in the country, I barely have a front door. I think if just ten people have stepped upon my front stoop in 5 years, that would be an overestimate. I appreciate the art of a front door and entry way, however, it is what welcomes someone into your home and a peep into what lies inside. I know that if I ever make my way back to civilization, I will consider very highly the way that my home presents itself to the outside world. Thanks for the imagery and the beautiful display of welcomes.
I also love doors and windows in foreign places – they all seem to tell such a story! When I was in Morocco, the doors were built right into the walls so you had no idea what was behind them – it was very cool.
I’ve yet to visit Morocco but I’ve seen photos of some of its doors — pretty impressive.
I’d love to see them! Thanks for your comment, Koren.
You’re welcome, Marc.
Your comment made me think of the things, like doors, that we take for granted and how different our lives can be. Thanks for sharing your perspective.