Messages in Cosmophilia: The “Love of Ornament” in Islamic Architecture

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.