DOI: 10.62125/2303-6826.2025.28.103-104.131
UDK 7.033.3:7.48
Author
Fatima Kadić
Summary
The paper deals with the interpretation of the motif of the stepped mihrab and the bird on hand-woven, knotted prayer rugs, sajjadas, from Anatolia and Central Asia. The task of the paper is to interpret the meaning of the mentioned motifs in the Muslim context, rather than establishing their etymology from pre-Islamic arts. Using scholarly iconological/iconographic methodology and the method of contextualization, we sought this meaning in the field of tasawwuf, or Islamic spirituality, which – through the institution of futuwwa, spiritual chivalry – was taught and practiced among artists and craftsmen of the Muslim world from the 13th to the 20th century.
Key words
knotted pile prayer rug, sajjadah, motifs, symbols, the stepped mihrab, the bird, futuwwa – spiritual chivalry
URL: https://www.ibn-sina.net/en/motifs-of-the-spiritual-ascension-of-the-soul-miraj-on-the-prayer-mat-sajjadah/