Northern, Central and Middle Eastern Art, Culture and Religion

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Northern, Central and Middle Eastern Art, Culture
and Religion
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Art is a wonderful window into looking at the
culture of people. It is often a reflection of
the people and their society.
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Arabic. Islamic.Middle Eastern.
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The term Arabic refers people inhabiting
Arabia, whose language and religion spread widely
throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa
from the 7th C.
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The Arabs became the rulers of many different
peoples, and gradually a great Arab civilization
was built up. The emergence of the Turks in the
11th and 13th centuries ended the Arab majority
rule in the Middle Eastern region. The Arabic
influence can often still be seen in Central,
Southern Middle Eastern Art.
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Decorated Arabic writing or calligraphy is
considered one of the highest forms of art
because it is used to write scripture, which
helped establish the strong oral tradition of the
Arabic language. Calligraphy was considered to
be the most beautiful and reverent way to write
the words of their Holy Books. The use of
calligraphy is found in all arts including books
and manuscripts, in mosques and palaces as well
as on everyday items pottery, stone, glass, wood
or textiles
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In certain areas of the Middle East, religious
tradition did not allow for any paintings or
sculptures depicting people to decorate their
buildings. Without the use of animal or human
form in their art, mid eastern art adapted to the
use of complex geometric patterns and intricate
floral or plant designs. Geometric patterns to
represent their belief in logic and
order. Sophisticated designs could be made with
the simplest of tools , a ruler and a pencil.
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Scholars embraced Greek philosophy and
mathematics. The works of Euclid and Pythagoras
were amongst the first to be translated into
Arabic. The study of geometry also fed into
their interest with the stars and astronomy, and
the notion of creating infinite, decorative
patterns.
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It is believed that the circle and its center are
the point at which all patterns begin and is a
symbol of eternity, without being and without
end. From the circle come three fundamental
figures in Middle Eastern art the triangle,
square and hexagon.
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The triangle by tradition is symbolic of human
consciousness and the principle of harmony.
The square represents the symbol of physical
experience and the physical world.
The hexagon represents Heaven.
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The star is the most common shape
symbolizing equality. The rays of the star reach
out in all directions, a fitting symbol for
the spread of the land. The center of the star
represents a belief in ones creator and where
that creator dwells (in their universe and their
hearts).
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Plays an important role in Middle Eastern
Art May be a single line of reflective
symmetry, usually from top to bottom May be 3-4
lines of symmetry Straight (translation) and
turning (rotational) movements are also
used Symmetry and repetition give unity to the
more complex designs
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In order to achieve symmetry, the artist will
repeat the same exact elements on both halves of
a piece of art in reversed order, so that both
halves mirror one another.
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Using repeated geometric forms that reflect the
forms of plants and animals Often found
decorating walls of buildings and
churches Vegetable and floral arabesque are a
succession of vines, stems, leaves and blossoms
that grow one out of the next in continuous
curving patterns Infinity was significant to
the creators of this art form as they were deeply
religious
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The Arabesque is both science and art The art
is mathematically precise, aesthetically pleasing
and symbolic To the people of the Middle East,
all forms of art, the natural world, mathematics
and science are all creations or reflections of
their religion.
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Two favorite designs utilizing the floral or
plant motifs are the arabesque and
palmette Arabesques can be graceful,
intertwining designs developed from geometric
shares (again, mimicking nature), creating an
overall complex design The palmettes are floral
or plant forms that face upward and outward The
lotus and the peony are often found in the
palmette patterns These flowers would indicate
inspiration from the flowers often pictured in
art of the Far East or India The Turks
incorporated the tulip, a flower indigenous to
their region
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We should now understand the art of Central,
Southern and Middle East and how it connects to
their religion and culture. Imagine now looking
at a spider web or a bees hive and thinking of
the beauty of nature, those rhythmic patterns
and geometric designs we see everyday.
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Consider when we refer to the Central, South
and Middle East it covers a vast number of
cultures, countries and their religions. Here are
some countries - Mongolia, the Balkan states,
Istanbul, Persia, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria,
Egypt, Istanbul and Algeria, among others. Here
are some of their religions Muslim, Greek
Orthodox, Coptic Christian, Zoroastrianism and
Judaism, etc
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