The Dome - (2) Gonbad

The symbolic nature of the dome also releases it from its geometrical imperative: the importance lying in its ability to act as an expression of the flow between God and mankind. While the rounded dome is an obvious manifestation of this through its symbolism of the vault of heaven the conical, octagonal, dome as shown here in the Safavid dome of the tomb of Baba Qassem should not be ignored, especially as it covers a traditional rounded dome below. The octagonal dome related clearly to the eight paradises mentioned in the Qur'an and thus brought a more intellectual symbolism into play.

Ardelan and Bakhtiar have expressed an Islamic view of the concept as follows:

Within Islamic culture the dome maintains its ancient imagery while providing a vivid manifestation of fundamental Islamic cosmogeny. By means of symbolic transfer the Islamic attributes of centre, circle and sphere inherent in the dome are fully realised. A paramount association that received great emphasis is the idea of the Spirit, which at once surrounds and pervades all being, just as a dome encompasses its enclosed space, with its four vaults or chahar-taq, and the vault of the sky embraces all creation. The passage of this spirit from the vault apex, symbolising Unity, is viewed as being downward and expansive or as upward and contractive

Learn more about the concept of Dome.

Fundamental Concepts.

Mosques and Shrines.

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23-January-95