Visual Language of Islamic Arts: An Exploration of Islamic Decorative Arts and Religious Symbolism

Symbolism serves as the physical manifestation of feelings, thoughts, ideas, or themes, often conveying concepts that cannot be expressed otherwise. In Islamic art, which is deeply rooted in the unseen, the sacred, and the realm of meaning, symbolism becomes a critical medium through metaphors, representations, references, and signs. To understand any artistic or architectural work within the Islamic tradition, it is essential to examine the symbolic meanings embedded in its forms and designs.

This study delves into the symbolic language of Islamic art and architecture by exploring recurring motifs and their meanings. Drawing on examples from sacred architecture and palatial structures, it investigates the symbolism of the center and vertical axis, the geometric forms of the square and circle, the intricate meanings behind the triangle, hexagon, octagon, and star, as well as the colors green, white, and red. Furthermore, the study examines the symbolic significance of the number seven and the spiritual connotations of water, offering a comprehensive analysis of how these elements contribute to the deeper understanding of Islamic artistic and architectural masterpieces.