One of the most beautiful and recognisable hallmarks of Indo-Islamic, but in particular Mughal, architecture is the ‘jali’ (which means ‘gauze’ or ‘net’ in Urdu).
The jali is a latticed or perforated stone screen, that typically features geometric or floral motifs.
Though not
Moorish architecture is widely regarded as one of the finest architectural styles ever developed.
Examples of its beauty include the Alhambra, the Great Mosque of Córdoba, and the Giralda.
Below we explore 10 key details that are hallmarks of the Moorish architectural style…
One of the most beautiful and iconic features of Islamic architecture is the “muqarnas”
This is a decorative vaulting system made of tiers of small niche-like elements resembling stalactites or honeycombs.
Below we explore the history and fascinating symbolism of the muqarnas…
Carpets of Tabriz
Tabriz is Iran’s second oldest city and the premier carpet-weaving centre in the world.
Having produced Persian carpets since the 15th century, the city has been home to countless famous craftsmen and has produced a wide range of styles/designs, as shown here.
Depictions of Buraq
Buraq (meaning “the lightning” in English) is a heavenly creature described as “a white animal, half-mule, half-donkey, with wings on its sides”—the celestial equine belongs to Islamic tradition as being the animal that carried the prophet Muhammad on his
Turquoise is a colour with deep symbolism in Islamic tradition.
Found throughout Central Asia and Iran, the colour is believed to bring good fortune, protect against the evil eye, and symbolise paradise.
These associations stem first from the semi-precious gemstone itself that
Carpets from Qom, Iran
The city of Qom is famous for producing carpets from pure, fine silk.
Qom carpets are also regarded by many as the most intricate and detailed of all Persian carpets, often featuring elaborate garden displays with a wide number of floral and animal motifs
Interior of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (or Blue Mosque), Istanbul
The Blue Mosque (so-called for the more than 20,000 floral tiles that adorn its inner walls and which are largely coloured in blue shades) stands as one of the most iconic monuments of the city of Istanbul.
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque (Isfahan, Iran)
This 17th-century mosque is a masterpiece of Persian architecture with its ornate calligraphy, floral arabesques, vivid colours, and striking geometric patterns.
The eight-pointed star or octagram is a popular symbol used in Islamic tradition, where it is known as the Rub-el-Hizb (Arabic: ربع الحزب).
Consisting of two overlapping squares, the symbol was originally used in the Qur’an to mark the division between passages, and therefore to