Geometric pattern from the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus
Pattern-work defines Islamic spiritual placemaking. This pattern is based on a 12-fold star design seen on a wooden door in the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria. Dating back to 715, this mosque is one of the oldest in existence and is considered to be an important site of Muslim pilgrimage. In this design, complex strapwork radiating out from the central star creates squares and hexagons but also unusual shapes that are hard to define.
I wish to thank artist and teacher Richard Henry (www.artofislamicpattern.com) for demonstrating this pattern at a workshop organized by Scripts n’ Scribes. Check out their website for more opportunities to learn about Islamic arts: www.scriptsnscribes.com