Geometry in Umayyad and Abbasid Art

Abstract

Ornaments and decorations were essential in the architectural design of the ninth century, the early Islamic period. Umayyad and Abbasid ornamentation, which was the basis of the decorative elements used by later Islamic states, developed from the 7th century to the 10th century. Early Islamic art and architecture developed in the Umayyad period, then was further enriched during the Abbasid period, which saw an increase in the Turkish influence. Byzantine, Sasanian, Arab, and Turkish cultures contributed to foundational patterns of Islamic decorative elements. The new style was characterized by geometric patterns, in which the circle is essential. The six or eight-pointed star that is often the first image to come to mind when we think of Islamic art and architecture, is derived from interconnected squares, hexagons, and octagons that begin with a circle. These themes are also easily portrayed in construction. This article is a geometric analysis of motifs derived from the circle.