Islamic Art & Architecture: Key Elements and Mosque Design

Posted on Feb 25, 2025 in Religion

Key Elements of Islamic Art

  • Handwriting: Considered the most important art form, giving form to the word of God. It serves both ornamental and iconographic functions, transmitting divine messages through verses from the Quran, pious messages, and poems. Two main types exist:
    • Kufic: Angular, capital letters, sober and straight.
    • Naskhi: Italic, flexible, and fluid, used as ordinary writing.
  • Plant Motifs: Fundamental elements include rosettes, palmettos, acanthus leaves, vines, and scrolls. Stylized plant motifs, inspired by classic acanthus, were prevalent during the Cordoba Caliphate period. Arabesque ornamentation involves complex, interlocking geometrical designs that mask the architectural structure.
  • Geometric Motifs: Represent the indivisibility of God through geometry. The circle is considered the perfect shape and serves as a template. This art form is more intellectual than emotional, with a mathematical basis, featuring intertwined branches forming diamonds, braided belts, ties, and checkered patterns. Stalactite decorations consist of juxtaposed prisms directed downward.
  • Importance of Water and Light: Water combines cooling, ritual, and symbolic functions, serving as a mirror for buildings. Light is used to modify design elements and create ornamental shapes.

The Mosque: A Center of Islamic Architecture

The mosque is the most representative of Islamic architecture, designed for collective prayer. It is not a temple in the traditional sense but a place for prayer.

Morphogenesis of the Mosque

Understanding the evolution of the mosque involves analyzing the origins of its components:

  • The initial form was influenced by the prayer practices in the courtyard of Muhammad’s house in Medina.
  • The Haram or prayer hall was a covered part of the patio, providing protection from the sun.
  • The Sahn was the uncovered part of the patio.

Key Features of a Mosque

  • The Qibla Wall: Fixed orientation for prayer, initially towards Jerusalem and later towards Mecca.
  • The Mihrab: A niche in the Qibla wall, symbolizing the place occupied by Muhammad during prayer.
  • The Mimbar: A high chair with a ladder, located to the right of the Mihrab, from which the prayer leader delivers sermons.
  • The Mansura: A separate area near the Mihrab and Mimbar, reserved for the Caliph’s prayer.
  • The Minaret: A tower from which the muezzin calls to prayer.