The Symbolic Use of Colour in Islamic Structure

The Islamic Structure fashion has a various historical past, spanning over a millennium, stretching from Western Africa to Europe to Japanese Asia. Starting in early seventh century Arabia, this type of structure emerged with the rise of the Islamic civilization. In truth, Al Masjid Al Nabawi, the primary Mosque to ever be constructed was inbuilt 622, in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, early Islamic structure was influenced by the pre-existing kinds across the area, corresponding to Roman, Byzantine, and Persian qualities.

Immediately, Islamic structure is thought for its acute consideration to element, craftsmanship, and its non secular symbolism. Moreover, as shade performs a necessary position in structure, influencing the emotional expertise of the area, totally different colours have been utilized over time in Islamic Structure to evoke sure meanings. In Islamic Structure, colours maintain vital non secular symbolism, reflecting the values and beliefs of the Islamic religion. 4 core colours, Inexperienced, Blue, Gold, and White, are every used to convey numerous cultural, spiritual, and symbolic meanings.

Learn on to find using these colours in numerous Islamic architectural icons all over the world.

Thought-about a sacred shade in Islam, related to “khidr” or landscapes of greenery, the colour is indicative of the heavens. In truth, the Muslim religion believes that the individuals in paradise are wearing all inexperienced. It’s the most typical shade utilized in mosques, creating a way of connection to the encircling nature.

Masjid Al Nabawi, Saudi Arabia

Also called the Prophet’s Mosque, Al Masjid Al Nabawi is intently related to the life and legacy of the Islamic group’s Prophet Muhammad. The prophet constructed the mosque within the yr 622, utilizing palm trunks and dust bricks. Serving as the middle of the Muslim group and the primary place of worship, Al Masjid Al Nabawi is the primary mosque that was ever constructed. The development is thought for its inexperienced dome, located immediately above the burial chamber of Prophet Muhammad and his two companions. The inexperienced represents the colour most intently related to the religion and distinguishes the tomb from different domes surrounding it which are silver in shade atop Al Masjid Al Nabawi.  

al-Nouri Mosque / Nur ad-Din Zangi, Iraq

Courting again to the twelfth century, the Nice Mosque of al-Nouri, also called the Inexperienced Mosque, is without doubt one of the oldest mosques within the metropolis of Mosul, Iraq. It’s most recognized for its crooked minaret resulting from its vital tilt. In 2014, the mosque was captured by a terrorist group and was destroyed with its iconic minaret. In 2020, UNESCO and the Iraqi Ministry of Tradition introduced a world design competitors for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the historic Al Nouri Advanced in Mosul. Furthermore, it has now been rehabilitated, with its iconic inexperienced dome sitting atop the development.

An emblem of spirituality and the heavens, blue is commonly related to contemplation and reflection. It’s typically utilized in tile work, domes, and ceiling constructions. Blue signifies the impenetrable depths of the universe, with particular shades of water turquoise blues thought to have mystical qualities. At its core, blue stands as a reminder of the skies and the alluring distances of upper information.

Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) / Sedefkar Mehmed Agha, Turkey

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also called the Blue Mosque, is without doubt one of the most iconic landmarks in Istanbul, Turkey. It’s famend for its blue-tiled inside, constructed in the course of the seventeenth century in the course of the Ottoman Empire’s rule. Everything of the constructing is adorned with hundreds of blue tiles on its inside partitions, making a blue ambiance even in the course of the daylight, that includes intricate patterns and floral designs. Related to safety from the evil eye and a reminder of the everlasting sky, this particular use of blue is correlated with the Ottoman architectural fashion of the seventeenth century.

Shah Mosque, Isfahan

The Shah Mosque is a really well-known architectural web site in Isfahan, Iran, showcasing basic Persian structure. The mosque was constructed in the course of the Safavid dynasty and is known for its vibrant blue tiled domes and facades, from deep blues to turquoise. In truth, the blue dome within the inside seemingly merges with the sky, accentuating the non secular expertise of the guests.

This shade is related to divine perfection and the Aristocracy. It’s also culturally the colour symbolizing royalty, representing standing and wealth. The colour gold in Islamic structure reveals the delight and significance given to the religion and its development. When utilized in ornamental gildings, it’s meant to raise an area and supply it with grandeur. The symbolic nature of gold can be related to everlasting worth.

Al Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem

Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque is among the many holiest websites in Islam. Constructed 1,300 years in the past within the previous metropolis of Jerusalem, the mosque holds immense non secular, cultural, and political significance for Muslims. The mosque is a part of the Dome of the Rock advanced, recognized for the Golden Dome in anodized aluminum. The dome was initially created from wooden after which ornamented with marble and gold-colored aluminum encasement, symbolizing absolute perfection.

As with virtually each religion, the colour white in Islam symbolizes purity and cleanliness. It’s related to sacredness, simplicity, and humility. The colour represents modesty and the sort of coronary heart required throughout holy acts of worship. Furthermore, white represents the everlasting peace that the faith preaches, additional emphasizing harmoniously residing collectively. In development, it fosters an environment of devotion and tranquility for worshippers.

Islamic Spiritual and Cultural Middle / Bevk Perović arhitekti, Ljubljana

The Islamic Spiritual Cultural Middle in Ljubljana was accomplished in 2020 by Bevk Perović arhitekti. The constructing consists of a non secular faculty constructing, a cultural and workplace program, and an condominium constructing for the staff of the group, in addition to the primary mosque to be inbuilt Slovenia. Everything of the outside and inside is full of white concrete on the decrease ranges and clear glass on the higher half, permitting the solar to flood the inside area. The usage of the colour white creates an ambiance of concord and purity, emphasizing a way of peace in spirituality.

Mosque of Mohamed Abdulkhaliq Gargash / Dabbagh Architects, Dubai

Designed by Dabbagh Architects in 2021, the Mosque of Mohamed Abdulkhaliq Gargash was inbuilt Dubai. It’s designed with a unified type and particular pure mild to evoke “a way of calm and non secular connection to transition the worshipper from the outer materials world to internal sense of being.” The design goals to create a recent mosque that’s minimalistic in its essence, redefining Islamic architectural components.

This text is a part of the ArchDaily Matters: Colour in Structure. Each month we discover a subject in-depth by means of articles, interviews, information, and structure initiatives. We invite you to study extra about our ArchDaily Matters. And, as all the time, at ArchDaily we welcome the contributions of our readers; if you wish to submit an article or venture, contact us.