Persian art and architecture : beauty of form and color

The rich culture of Persia and the skillful hands of Persian masters create beautiful art and architecture.  Persia was well placed at the middle of the ancient silk roads between the East and the West civilizations.  Through centuries of cultural exchanges, Persian art gained its mastery and also made significant impacts on others.

Among various Persian handicrafts, Persian carpet and tableware are my favorites. They are not only skillfully made with beautiful designs but are also decorated with colors in harmony.  High quality items are expensive as they command high artistic value.

(Fine Persian carpet with life tree design)

    

(Beautiful plates with lapis lazuli color)

With long Islamic tradition, mosques are the most important architectures in Iran.  Over the years, many masters and architects built beautiful mosques in different Iranian cities.  Their beautiful domes and minarets shine over the city sky. 


(Lotfollah Mosque, Isfahan)

 

(Grand interior design of  the Lotfollah Mosque)

If you are in Isfahan, Naghs-e Jahan Square is the place you must see.  In the square, you can see jewels of Safavid architecture: the Lotfollah Mosque and the Shah Mosque. These great works were built over five hundred years ago.  Their grand design and beautiful decorations of stucco and mosaic tiles still command high status among the Islamic architecture.

(Geometric designs of mosaic tiles)

Just after seeing a few examples of Persian art and architecture, you will note that they are rich in geometric design. There are meanings behind the Islamic patterns.  The three basic shapes are used to symbolize:
  - the square of earth or materiality,
  - the triangle of human consciousness, and
  - the hexagon (or circle) of Heaven.

Nature light is also used to enrich the architecture design.  Similar to the rose windows in Catholic churches, color glass of beautiful patterns is commonly used in Persian houses.

(House windows with colorful glass)