Islamic geometric patterns facts for kids

Islamic geometric patterns were the first form of art in the Arabian Peninsula. Most forms of geometric patterns use shapes resembling hexagons, squares, and pentagons. They were originally invented by Euclid, who also invented geometry. They are ususally found on ceilings of churches, in colored or broken glass.

Images for kids

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  The Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine, Mahan, Iran, 1431. The blue girih-tiled dome contains stars with, from the top, 5, 7, 9, 12, 11, 9 and 10 points in turn. 11-point stars are rare in Islamic art.

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  Early stage: simple geometric patterns on lustre tiles in the Great Mosque of Kairouan, Tunisia. 836 onwards

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  Middle stage patterns on geometric borders around a Mihrab in the Alâeddin Mosque, Konya, Turkey. 1220 onwards

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  Late stage: geometric, vegetal, and calligraphic patterns around the Mihrab at the Jama Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri. 1571-5

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  Mosque of Ibn Tulun: window with girih-style 10-point stars (at rear), with floral roundels in octagons forming a frieze at front

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  Somewhat geometric motifs such as the Wolf's Mouth (Kurt Aǧzi), to protect the flocks against wolves, are often woven into tribal kilims.

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  A tessellation of glazed ceramic tiles forming colourful geometric patterns in the Alhambra, Spain, which inspired M. C. Escher

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  Tessellations, arabesques and calligraphy on a wall of the Myrtle court, Alhambra, Granada, Spain

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  Wooden box inlaid with ivory with zellij-like geometrical motifs. Italy (Florence or Venice) 15th century.

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  Tomb towers of two Seljuk princes at Kharaghan, Qazvin province, Iran, covered with many different brick patterns like those that inspired Ahmad Rafsanjani to create auxetic materials

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  Two-dimensional designs for two quarter-dome muqarnas – as a seashell (top), as a fan (bottom). Topkapı Scroll, 15th century

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  Girih tiling in the decagonal pattern on a spandrel from the Darb-e Imam shrine

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  Analysis of octagonal patterns in Mughal architecture by Ernest Hanbury Hankin, 1925. 8-pointed stars emerge (lower right) where heavy black lines cross.

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  Decoration in Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah, Agra, showing correct treatment of sides and corners. A quarter of each 6-point star is shown in each corner; half stars along the sides.

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  Architectural drawing for brick vaulting, Iran, probably Tehran, 1800–70

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  Safavid bowl with radial and circular motifs, Persia, 17th century

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  Lustre tiles from Iran, probably Kashan, 1262, in the shapes of the Sufi symbols for the divine breath

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  Glazed tilework Girih at Shah-i-Zinda in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

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  Side of a wooden Minbar (pulpit) with 12-point stars. 14th century. Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum

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  Jali pierced stone screens at the tomb of Salim Chishti, Fatehpur Sikri, India

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  Woven wool Kilim from Turkey

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  Leather prayer book cover, Persia, 16th century

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  Iron gate with 10-point stars and kites at Al-Rifa'i Mosque, Cairo (1869–1912)

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  Detail of bronze door, Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan, Cairo, decorated with strapwork

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  Muqarnas in Shah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran

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  Geometric shabaka stained glass in the 1797 Palace of Shaki Khans, Azerbaijan

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  Traditional Window, Sana'a, Yemen

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  Glazed tile Zellij at Place el-Hedim in Meknes, Morocco