The word "Renaissance" comes from French and means "rebirth." It refers to a major cultural, artistic, scientific, and intellectual transformation that began in Italy in the late 14th century and continued until the 17th century. The Renaissance marked a shift from the static, religious, and church-centered mindset of the Middle Ages toward a new age that emphasized reason, creativity, and the power of the individual.

At its core, the Renaissance was about the rediscovery of human beings, nature, and the universe. People began to question religious dogmas and instead focused on observation, experience, and rational thought. This shift in thinking gave rise to Humanism, a philosophy that placed human beings and their achievements at the center of attention.

One of the main goals of the Renaissance was to revive the knowledge and culture of Ancient Greece and Rome. Thinkers, artists, and scientists studied classical texts, adopted ancient methods, and built upon them to create something entirely new.

The Renaissance has several core meanings:
Intellectual Awakening: People moved away from the idea that all knowledge came from religion, and started to use logic, evidence, and experimentation to understand the world. This led to the decline of scholasticism and religious dominance in education.

The Rise of Art: Art became more realistic and expressive, with developments in perspective, anatomy, and techniques. Great artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael created works that are still celebrated today.

Scientific Advancements: Scientists like Galileo Galilei, Nicolaus Copernicus, and Johannes Kepler introduced new ideas about the universe. Their work laid the foundation for modern science and the scientific method.

Importance of the Individual: The Renaissance placed great value on human potential. People were encouraged to develop their talents and to seek knowledge and personal growth. The idea of the "Renaissance man" — someone skilled in many fields — was born during this period.

Spread of Education and Knowledge: With the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg, books became more affordable and widely available. As a result, literacy increased, and ideas spread rapidly across Europe.

In Conclusion:
The Renaissance was a period of remarkable change and progress. It represented not only a revival of the classical past but also the birth of a new way of thinking that shaped the modern world. It laid the intellectual and cultural foundations for later developments such as the Enlightenment and continues to influence art, science, and philosophy to this day.