Symbolism in Taj Mahal

Subject Areas : architecture

Hossein Soltanzadeh ¹

1 - Assistant professor, Azad Islamic University

Received: 2011-04-09 Accepted : 2011-05-24 Published : 2011-12-22

Keywords:

Abstract :

Taj Mahal is one of the most famous historical shrine from seventieth century that is present and is one of the most important spaces in the world. Due to surveys, it can be said that Taj Mahal is the most symbolic tombs from architectural view and it could be expected that some concepts and symbolic aspects have not surveyed yet enough, because this complex that is in relation with Iranian architecture, haven’t studied by Iranian researchers, and it seems that non Iranian researchers who studied about Taj Mahal, haven’t compare it with Iranian buildings and architectural concepts. Study about Taj Mahal is important and necessary for Iranian experts, because it seems that it have been designed in relation with Iranian architectural patterns. The recognition of some symbolic aspects of this complex, and comparison them with Iranian architecture are the main aims of this research.The questions are these: 1) What concepts and symbols have been considered in the design and construction of Taj Mahal? 2) What are the relations between Taj Mahal design and Iranian architecture? Five hypothesis about the high concepts and symbolism in Taj Mahal and relations between it and Iranian architecture have been presented: 1) Design four areas, is an innovation in application of number four in architectural design. 2) The composition of Hasht Behasht, has drived from the structure of quadripartit plans such as the plan of Chahar Tagh in Apadana. 3) The hierarchy between four areas, is a reflection of kind movement from mundane to heaven. 4) The five parts composition of one dome and four chatri around it, has Iranian origin. 5) The triplex composition of domes in mosque and in house guest, has been Iranian origin too. The research method has been historical interpretational and data was classified in the form of descriptive and  analytical and data have been gathered in documentary form and by field study. The theoretical framework has been based on cultural and symbolic view in architecture. On the basis of this observation, cultural and religious phenomena have been used in design of cultural and religious buildings such as tombs and temples. The results of the research shows that there have been many relations between Iranian architecture and the designing of Taj Mahal. Because many of important architectural elements those ware used in design and construction of Taj Mahal such as dome , minar and Iran (balcony) are the elements of Iranian architecture and we can not imagine that many of important Iranian architectural elements and designs ( such as Chahar Tagh , chahar Iran ,chahar sou , chahar bagh , chahar minar and Hasht behsht ) were used accidentalfy. Some of these hypothesis can be considered as a new outlook to the ways of recognition and analysis of religious and ceremonial buildings. Emphasis on visual and symbolic symmetry  exemplified by the design and construction of a mosque and guest house with the same plan on the sides of the mausoleum resulting in a view and a spatial composition unseen before.

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