symbolism in islamic architecture (andong, korea, 2010)

Symbolism in Islamic Architecture

Prof. Hisham MortadaDept of ArchitectureCollege of Environmental DesignKing Abdul Aziz UniversityJeddah, Saudi Arabiahmortada@kau.edu.sa

Islamic Culture and Symbols

Sources:

• The genesis of Islam

Islamic Culture and Symbols

Sources:

• Life and mission of Prophet Mohamed

Islamic Culture and Symbols

Sources:

• Legacies of ancient civilisations

Nature

• Source of beauty and contemplation• God is beautiful and He loves beauty

• light, water, plants, animals, heavenly bodies, etc.

Nature: Light

• a metaphor for revelation• Arches

Cordoba Mosque, Spain Telmesan Mosque, AlgeriaAlhambra, Spain Sultan Hassan II Mosque, Morocco

Nature: Light

• Arches

Zaitona Mosque, Tunis al-Azhar Mosque, Egypt

Nature: Light

• Arches

Shah Mosque, Iran Taj Mahel, India Sher Dor Madrasah in Samarkand - Uzbekistan

Nature: Light

• Arcades

Cordoba Mosque

Alhambra, Spain Asa’d Basha Khan, Damascus, Syriaal-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem

Nature: Light

• Arcades

Ibin Tolun Mosque, Cairoal-Azhar Mosque, Cairo Omar bin al-As Mosque, Cairo

Nature: Light

• Prisms

Oleg Sherfali Mosque, Edirne Bayazed Mosque, Istanbul

Nature: Light

• Muqarnas

Nature: Light

• Muqarnas

al-adliah School, Cairo

Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran

Shah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran

Nature: Light

• Tiles and Mirrors

al-bonanaya School, FezAlhambra Isfahan Mosque

Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque

Nature: Light

• Tiles and Mirrors

Telmesan mosque, AlgeriaSheikh Lotfallah Mosque

Nature: Water

• The source of living things and purification• It is the passage from the profane to the scared and from the real world to the transcendent world

al-qaraween Mosque, Fez

Nature: Water

Shah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran Umayyad Mosque, Damascus Sultan Hassan School, Cairoal-bonanaya School, Fez

Nature: Garden

• The Paradise on Earth

Savavid IranMogul India

Nature: Garden

• The Paradise on Earth

Taj Mahel, India al-Hamra, Spain

Nature: Garden

• The Paradise on Earth

Cordoba Mosque, Spain al-Dahabi House, CairoRonda, Spain

Nature: Trees

• They represent growth, unity, purity, magnificence, transcendence, and divine beauty

Umayyad Mosaic

Nature: Trees

Umayyad Mosque, Damascus

Nature: Trees

al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem Seljuk Mosaic, Afghanistan

Nature: Trees

Shah Mosque, Isfahan

Geometric Figures: Calligraphy

• The 99 names of God• The affirmation of Muslim faith• The Summary of the Muslim faith

Javari Palace, Saragossa, Spain

Cordoba Mosque, SpainAlhambra, SpainUmayyad Mosque, Damascus

Geometric Figures: Calligraphy

al-Qaraween Mosque, Fezal-Azhar Mosque, Cairo Johar Shah complex, Herat, Afghanistan

Color

• Colour symbolism in Islam follows a pattern that reputedly

goes back to Prophet’s time.

• All colours are respected, some feared or privileged.

• Green acquired special significance.

Color: Green

• Recognized as symbol of Islam and of Muslim dignitaries.

• It is a singe of renovation and vigour.

• It conveys happiness and success.

• It denotes devotion to Islamic dogma.

• It symbolizes hope for peace.

al-Qirawan Mosque, Fez Alhambra, Spain Prophet’s Mosque, Medina, Saudi Arabia

Color: White

• It is a positive color

• It is the color of angels

• It is a metaphor for beauty and femininity

Badishahi Mosque, Lahore Shah Jehan Mosque, Tehta Aljamei Mosque, DelhiTaj Mahel

Colour: Blue

• It signifies the impenetrable depths of the universe

• The turquoise blue is thought to have mystical qualities

al-bonanaya School, Fez

Colour: Blue

Shah Mosque, Isfahan

Colour: Blue

Oleg Beck School, SamarkandJohar Shah complex, Heart, Afghanistan

Isfahan Mosque, Isfahan

Color: Red

• The color of life force

• It inspired poets and writers

Johar Shah Mosque, Mashhad, Iran

Colour: Red

• It is a symbol of fire and passion in Andalusian Flamenco dance

Symbolism in Islamic Architecture

Summary and Conclusion

• Though the Quran and Sunah (Prophet Mohamed’s tradition) did not signify any symbols for Muslim buildings, various symbols featured Islamic architecture throughout history. These symbols are represented in natural elements such as light, water and plants, as well as geometric figures and color.

Thank you for listening!

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