Abstract
Islamic architecture is predominantly rich in ornamentation, and therefore, perfectly epitomizes the
phenomenon of “cosmophilia” – meaning “love of ornament.” Taking this association as a point of departure,
this article focuses on broadly identifying notions of cosmophilia in Islamic monuments that offer the finest and
most varied examples of architectural ornamentation. In Islamic structures, where singular and unique
ornamental devices can be located, the artistic programs of several monuments are concurrently found to be
characterized by the “repeat ornament” – decorative elements replicated many times to envelope the façades in
entirety. In this article, a variety of structures, erected under different dynastic polities from the medieval and
early modern Islamic world, have been examined to understand the connotations and meanings attached to the
Islamic ornaments. This will be done by looking at figural imageries, geometric and vegetal motifs, calligrams
synthesizing images and texts, as well as structural and non-structural components integrated into the historic
structures for aesthetic purposes. The ultimate goal of this study is to attempt an interpretation of the concepts
and in some cases philosophical undertones, that were meant to be communicated through the Islamic
architectural ornaments.
Munazzah Akhtar, Sarah Javed Shah, Rabia Ahmed Qureshi. (2021) Messages in Cosmophilia: The “Love of Ornament” in Islamic Architecture, Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan, Volume-58, issue 3.
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