Arabesque Style and Islamic World - Essay Example

Arabesques are frequently found in Islamic mosques, such as the 8th-century mosaics of the Great Mosque of Damascus. The plants often used in these designs are stylized versions of the acanthus, with emphasis on the leafy forms, the vine, and the twining stems.

It is claimed that arabesque is used for its theological significance, but there are no documents validating this, probably because of the ancient origins of the design.  The intricacy of the arabesque reflects the Islamic worldview: the repetitive, mathematically precise patterns of foliage and geometric designs signify infinity that extends beyond the visible material world.  Its infinite patterns symbolize the perfect nature of the creation of the one God (Arabesque, 2007). The mathematical and exacting complexity of the design creates a visual appeal that may be read within the context of the philosophical, theological, and political discourses on God’s nature and that of the universe (Campo, 2009).  There are some writers, however, who are convinced that since the Arabesque style preceded Islam, its value in Islamic architecture and art is little more than ornamental, with little implication on the Islamic worldview (Brill, 1987).

 The video on Arabic Architecture did not have any narrative but provided a unique experience with breathtaking sites and exotic music. The video showed scenes of Islamic mosques and their surrounding courtyards, characterized by domes and minarets. The arabesque inlays in the panels and ceilings complemented the repeating arches that capture a geometric exactness that conveyed infinite perfection.  The majesty of the architecture was well highlighted in the grand structures and rich artwork.  More surprisingly, however, the same exotic architecture was shown in the common areas such as sidewalks where vendors sell their wares and pedestrians hurry about their business.  In these places, the colors may be a bit more worn, nevertheless, the hint of grandeur remains in the form of arches and arabesque designs in the ceilings and posts.

Many of the mosques and palatial structures are reportedly from as early as the 8th century, a testament to the longevity and universality of the artwork as well as the durability of the structure.  However, included in the video are pictures of the more modern buildings such as Malaysia’s Petronas Twin Towers.  Looking at every inch of the modern high-rise building that it is, the cross-sectional design of the towers makes use of the geometric patterns used in the more ancient Islamic architectural works. 

In many of the buildings, a clear continuity with the surrounding natural environment helps to enhance the beauty of the buildings at night as well as during the day.  Locating the structure over or close to a body of water allows for the reflection to extend the image and underscore the repetitiveness and continuity of the geometric patterns in the design.  In a way, Islamic architecture creates continuity through time and space.

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 Natasha gives a thorough yet concise description of the Koran.  The post is informative and effectively sparks the interest of its readers.  It is interesting to note, for instance, that the Quran is recited, much the same way as the Torah is.  However, it is noticeable that the writer avoided mentioning the name of “the prophet of Islam”; for greater fluidity in the discussion, the prophet Muhammad could be referred to by name. Further, the writer tempted to differentiate between the Bible and the Quran by whether or not the narrative was chronological or not.  It would be more accurate to discuss the substance, rather than the style, of the scriptures.  Finally, there are authorities who provide an official interpretation of the Quran for specific applications.  An example is the Shariah Boards located in Islamic banks, which determine whether or not a practice, product, or process of the bank is compliant with the teachings of Islamic law (Shariah law) which was based on the Quran.