Styles Used in Islamic Art

Styles Used in Muslim ArtWhat is sacred art? Who determines what art is sacred? And what reasons do they regulate upon? Many questions surface when it comes to distinguishing the difference between sacred art, religious art, and traditional art. The three are different from one another in some way. reverend art includes depictions encouraging humans into spirituality. It is the result of divine inspiration. It is basic eithery something specifically made for the purpose of worship and can range from a prayer carpet to the prayer itself. Due to the fact that in the Islamic purification, the depiction of figural representation is forbidden, Islamic art primarily focuses on spiritual geometric forms, penmanship and biomorphic designs. From the Middle-Ages, Islamic art has always had this theme of balance, unity and harmony in its patterns which in Arabic is called el tawhid. It uses repetition of designs to come across with crucial concepts much(prenominal) as Gods creation of the universe. In comparison, religious art is that type of non-traditional art devoted to religious themes and functions even if its method of execution and language are no longer traditional (Sophia 1996). It consists of illustrations of themes or events depicted in holly books. This type of art can only be appreciated by its followers. For an example, to a Muslim a painting of Saint Mary and Jesus may not seem as appealing as it would to Christianity followers. Finally, traditional art is dissimilar from both the antecedently stated arts as it is the art that deals with a culture or a specific group of people. Due to all its principles and techniques of symbolism it assists the viewer to catch aware of the Divine which is in Islam God but for an example in Christianity Jesus Christ. Egypt with all its mosques, churches and even Jewish temples, is a proper example of where some(prenominal) traditional arts appear since there is many arts however they suit all the religions perfectly. The Islamic work of art is a symbolic statement, as is all art for it attempts to make a sensory representation of an important idea not evidenced to the senses (Al Faruqi). However, the Islamic civilization tends to spread religious architecture rather than sacred architecture. It focuses primarily on representing the theme of tawhid through its architecture, calligraphy, and forms. However, it is impossible to for a non-follower to image this type of art. In reverse, it is also impossible for one to understand Islam and its message without being exposed to its art which carries a true and deep kernel to it. This can all be understood by looking back at what Henry David Thoreau once said its not what you look at but what you see where symbolism is explained that what the art means or reflects varies from one soul to another.As Islamic art focuses on patterns and symmetry to demonstrate unity it uses many styles to accomplish its mission. One of the famous styles utilise in Is lamic civilization is the smallness of the elements of the compositional motifs which is how forms are fixed to the smallest details. This is concluded to drive the viewer to concentrate on all(prenominal) little detail. A second style used in Islamic art is the complication of the motifs which generates the viewer to look at the design from different perspectives. The third style seen in Islamic art uses repetition of patterns to symbolize infinity. Islamic art also contains many forms such as divisions and symmetry. Such divisions embody organization and infinity. Most of the previously stated styles and forms can be found in the famous design called the Breath of the Compassionate.The Breath of the Compassionate, or al-nafas al-rahman, is an eight-point star, is a famous design to many cultures and religions. It can be found in many religious iconographies just like the form of a niche can be found in churches, synagogues and mosques. However, it holds a different meaning to eve ry religion it is illustrated in. I believe this widely-known design of symmetry and balance has great significance to the Islamic idea of el tawhid demonstrating harmony and unity. One of the major reasons, I believe so is because it uses all of the forms and styles I have previously stated above such as symmetry, repetition and geometry.One major aspect that unavoidably to be explained in many of the Islamic designs is the use of the number eight in the number of sides, points of a star and so forth. This number is used in many of the Islamic designs especially where octagons can be found. The Breath of the Compassionate is a great example to look at while discussing the deep meaning behind the number eight. The number eight holds different meanings to many cultures as well as to diverse religions. First and foremost, eight symbolizes eternity and absolute ideal (Schimmel). It is also the number of how many gates Paradise has unlike Hell which has seven only. This shows that God s mercy is greater than His wrath (Schimmel).The word Compassionate in the accent the Breath of the Compassionate is derived from the ninety-nine names of God. Compassionate resembles infinity therefore Islamic designs tend to be repetitive. As a result, I believe that the collateral message behind the phrase the Breath of the Compassionate is Gods creation of the universe. Moreover, it represents His endless compassion towards Muslim followers which in Arabic is rahma.In conclusion, as Islamic art displays no figural representations and entirely focuses on symmetrical and unified geometrical patterns it carries a deep meaning to it that mostly only Muslims can comprehend. totally Islamic art follows the transcendent theory of el tawhid to inspire Islam followers into believing in the concept of La-illah ila-Allah meaning one God. To sum up all my points, I believe the unity and balance created in Islamic iconographies demonstrates the creative will of God.