Flower of Life
[Sahip Ata Mosque, Konya 1283 – Seljuk]



The Islamic artist has been confined in his artistic expression due to religious influences.  The only path available to leading artists was generally to further develop stylized plant and geometric pattern decoration.  History and geographical surroundings have no doubt influenced how and where geometric decoration should be used.  However, we can see that certain designs have spread irrespective of time and geographical location.  The geometric circle motif shown above is a good example of this.  Though it has been used frequently in Seljuk art, it can be found in many parts of the world.  The oldest to date example can be found in the temple of Osiris at Abydos, Egypt.  Also called “The Flower of Life”, it is a symbol most commonly associated with New Age permutations of Sacred Geometry; it is a curiously universal emblem, appearing in religious context all over the globe.

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The pictured necklace has been inspired by the stone design on the portal of the Sahip Ata Mosque in Konya.  It is the oldest known Seljuk mosque built with wooden pillars.  However, only the portal and mihrab have survived to date.