ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

Islamic architecture is theologically based, on the religion of Islam in different parts of the world. Islamic architecture and art can be divided into 4 main parts: calligraphy, human and animal forms, vegetal motifs and geometric patterns. On this entry I will only focus on geometric patterns. 

Geometry is really important in Islamic architecture for decoration, they can be really simple, but others can be extremely elaborated. The shapes are repeated to create more complicated and complex patterns. The 4 main shapes are: circles (and interlaced circles), squares, stars (squares and triangles in a circle) and multisided polygons. 

Meaning:

Circles don't have an end, so they associate this infinity

 with Allah (their god), and the repetition of shapes also 

creates this idea that it all continues and is infinite, like 

their god.  

All Islamic patterns begin with a circle, which symbolizes one only god.

Triangles symbolize humans and harmony.

Squares symbolize the physical world.

Hexagons symbolize heaven. 

Stars symbolizes the spread of the Islamic religion.

Geometry:

By joining these figures, you can come up with many different patterns. 4 main types of geometry are used for these patterns: Three point geometry, Four point geometry, Five point geometry and Six point geometry.

Three point geometry and Six point geometry-

These are linked together, and only a compass is needed. It is made by joining circles, like in this picture:

Four point geometry-

It is made by drawing a perpendicular line from the centre of a horizontal line and joining the 4 points of intersection, like in this picture:

Five point geometry-

It is much more complicated, it is made by joining a pentagon to the lines that cross the circles, like in this picture:

Using these shapes and different types of geometry, they come up with many complex patterns that are used to decorate their buildings and temples. These are some more complex drawings using the previous types of geometry and shapes:

And these are finished ones: