Reviving Architectural Ornaments in Makkah: Unveiling Their Symbolic, Cultural, and Spiritual Significance for Sustainable Heritage Preservation
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Literature Review
2.1. The Historical Background of Islamic Art
2.2. The Influence of the Quran and Sunnah on Islamic Art
2.2.1. Content
- (a)
- Stylisation
- (b)
- Non-Individuation
- (c)
- Repetition
2.2.2. Form
- (a)
- Non-developmental Structure
- (b)
- Arabesque Structure
2.3. Previous Related Studies
3. Methodology
3.1. Case Study
3.2. Data Collection
- Historical Documents and Manuscripts:
- Archival records, architectural treatises, and historical manuscripts provide primary references for identifying ornamental motifs.
- Selection criteria focus on documents explicitly describing or illustrating Makkah’s decorative traditions, ensuring reliability in tracing symbolic meanings.
- Photographic Archives and Media:
- A systematic review of historical photographs, videos, and films from reputable digital libraries and archives is conducted.
- Ornamentation samples are selected based on their recurrence across multiple sources, indicating their historical and cultural significance.
- Visual analysis techniques, including pattern recognition and motif comparison, are applied to categorise and interpret these decorative elements.
- Digital Reconstruction and Symbolic Analysis:
- Software tools such as Adobe Illustrator 2024 v28.6 and AutoCAD 2023 v24.2 aid in reconstructing faded or lost details, enhancing the clarity of ornamentation for detailed study.
- The reconstructed motifs are analysed through an interpretive framework, considering their stylistic elements, symbolic connotations, and cultural context.
- The study cross-references reconstructed symbols with historical sources and existing literature on Islamic art and architecture to ensure accurate interpretation.
3.3. Theoretical Framework
3.3.1. Carl Jung’s Theory of the Collective Unconscious
- Collective Heritage: Drawing on Carl Jung’s theory of the collective unconscious, the botanical motifs in Makkah’s architectural heritage can be seen as manifestations of universal archetypal symbols—deeply embedded in humanity’s collective memory—reflecting spiritual and cultural values that transcend time and place.
- Symbolism in Architecture: According to Jung, architectural symbols act as conduits for expressing unconscious ideas and cultural narratives. This study explores how Makkah’s ornaments embody deeper symbolic meanings, like arabesque designs and plant-based patterns.
- Religious Contexts: Jung’s focus on religion and mythology underscores the interplay between spiritual identity and collective symbols. The decorative architectural elements in Makkah, infused with Islamic motifs, reflect this dynamic, reinforcing its religious significance.
3.3.2. Lamya Al-Faruqi’s Theory of Tawhid in Islamic Art
- Content: Islamic art avoids depicting humans, animals, or naturalistic forms, emphasising geometric patterns, calligraphy, and stylised plant motifs. These elements affirm the absoluteness of God and His separation from the material world.
- Form: The structure of Islamic art employs non-developmental designs and arabesques that symbolise infinity and transcendence, further reinforcing the Tawhidic principles.
3.4. Analytical Approach
- Symbolic Interpretation: Using Jung’s framework, the study interprets the archetypes and symbolic representations in Makkah’s architectural elements. This involves identifying recurring patterns and themes that resonate with universal human experiences.
- Cultural Contextualisation: Al-Faruqi’s theory is employed to contextualise the symbols within Islamic art’s spiritual and cultural traditions, focusing on their alignment with the principles of Tawhid and their role in reflecting Islamic values.
3.5. Methodological Justifications
4. Results Analysis
4.1. Overview of Decorative Elements
4.1.1. Visual Characteristics
- (a)
- Composition Types
- Palm Tree Compositions: featuring stylised elements derived from palm trees and fronds;
- Pinecone or Fish Scale Motifs: incorporating repeating patterns inspired by pinecones or scales;
- Mixed Compositions: combining palm tree motifs, pinecones, and other botanical or abstract elements.
- (b)
- Materials and Techniques
- Doors: serving as prominent focal points in traditional Meccan architecture;
- Windows and Rawasheen: traditional wooden latticework that balances aesthetics with functionality;
- Built-in Wall Cabinets: enriching the interiors with artistic expression while maintaining utility.
- (c)
- Types of Ornamentation: Botanical Motifs
4.1.2. The Importance of Decorative Elements in Makkah’s Architectural Heritage
4.2. Analysing Makkah’s Decorative Motifs in Light of Carl Jung’s Theory of the Collective Unconscious
4.2.1. Palm Trees: Symbols of Fertility and Spiritual Elevation
- (a)
- Archetypal Symbolism of Palm Trees
- Islamic Perspectives (Palm Trees as Symbols of Divine Care): Hawting [26] highlights the association of palm trees with divine care in Islamic culture, as referenced in the Quran and Hadith. In Surah Maryam (19:23-25), the palm tree plays a pivotal role in Mary’s story, providing sustenance and comfort in a critical moment, reinforcing its symbolism as a sign of divine provision. Additionally, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) likened the believer to a palm tree, emphasising resilience, stability, and continuous benefit. These religious interpretations enhance the significance of the motif, yet their architectural placement and artistic stylisation in Makkah require further discussion.
- Universal Context: Hageneder [27] notes that trees, including palm trees, act as a link between earth and sky, representing humanity’s perpetual quest for spiritual transcendence. The palm tree embodies this aspiration with its upright form and upward-reaching fronds. Remarkably, its symbolism transcends cultural boundaries. In Christianity, for instance, the palm symbolises eternal life and victory, while in ancient Mesopotamian cultures, it signifies fertility and abundance. This cross-cultural resonance reinforces the universal nature of the palm tree archetype, yet comparative analyses between Makkah and other Islamic architectural traditions would further illuminate its local adaptation.
- Architectural Significance (The Palm Tree as a Living Symbol): In Makkah’s sacred architecture, the palm tree carries meanings beyond its physical form to represent higher spiritual ideals. The palm-inspired geometric designs in Islamic architecture showcase a remarkable balance between simplicity and precision, reflecting the quest for harmony between earth and sky. However, the extent to which these designs communicate spiritual meanings to contemporary viewers remains an open question. How has modern interpretation influenced the perception of these motifs?
- (b)
- The Role of Design in Amplifying Archetypal Symbolism
- (c)
- Representation in Makkah’s Decorative Motifs
- (d)
- Preservation of Archetypal Legacy
4.2.2. Pinecones: Symbols of Eternity and Stability
- (a)
- Archetypal and Symbolic Significance of Pinecones
- Eternity and Timelessness: Brown [28] explores how pinecones symbolise eternity in diverse cultural traditions. Their enduring and unchanging form makes them a natural representation of permanence and immortality, resonating with the archetypal desire for stability and continuity. In Makkah, these motifs may have been reinterpreted through an Islamic lens, aligning them with divine constancy and spiritual endurance concepts.
- Spiritual Resilience: Cooper [29] connects pinecones with spiritual resilience, suggesting they represent enduring faith and eternal values. These qualities align seamlessly with the Islamic emphasis on steadfastness and the pursuit of eternal reward. Further exploration of their integration into Makkah’s architectural compositions could provide insights into their evolving symbolic associations.
- (b)
- Representation in Makkah’s Decorative Art
- (c)
- Preserving the Archetypal Message
4.2.3. Interwoven Plants and Palm Fronds: Symbols of Life Cycles and Balance
- (a)
- Archetypal and Symbolic Significance
- Cyclical Renewal and Growth: Jung [30], in Man and His Symbols, explores the archetypal significance of natural motifs, such as interwoven plants, which remind the cyclical relationship between humanity and the divine. They represent the unending growth, decay, and renewal processes, underscoring life’s eternal balance.
- Sacred Continuity: Barfield [31] emphasises how plant imagery in art symbolises life’s continuity and its sacred interconnectedness with the natural world. This connection resonates with Islamic perspectives on the natural order as a reflection of divine grace.
- (b)
- Integration in Makkah’s Decorative Art
- (c)
- Combined Symbolism with Fish Scale Motifs
- Spiritual Nourishment and Renewal: Fish scales, symbolising sustenance and divine provision, complement the themes of regeneration and growth depicted by the plants.
- Harmonious Balance: Together, these elements create a narrative of cyclical balance, illustrating how divine grace sustains life’s natural and spiritual rhythms. This interplay reflects the integration of Islamic principles with the collective archetypal imagery found in Makkah’s art.
- (d)
- Cultural and Spiritual Legacy
4.2.4. The Combined Symbolism: Harmony Between the Divine and the Earthly
- Balance and Unity: Together, these motifs illustrate the harmony between spiritual grace and natural cycles, embodying the interconnectedness of all existence—a central theme in both Jungian theory and Islamic art.
4.2.5. Symbolic Heritage: Unity Between the Material and Spiritual
4.3. Analysis of Decorative Patterns According to Lamya Al-Faruqi’s Perspective and Principles of Islamic Art
4.3.1. Palm Trees: Symbols of Fertility and Spiritual Elevation
- Content Analysis
- Form Analysis
4.3.2. Pinecones: Symbols of Eternity and Stability
- Stylisation
- Non-Individuation
- Repetition
- General Form Analysis
4.3.3. Interwoven Plants and Palm Fronds: Symbols of Life Cycles and Balance
- Content Analysis
- Form Analysis
5. Discussion
5.1. Comparison Between Carl Jung’s Theory of Collective Consciousness and Lamya Al-Faruqi’s Theory of Tawhid
5.2. Study Findings
5.3. Recommendations
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
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Aspect | Lamya Al-Faruqi | Carl Jung |
---|---|---|
Philosophical Basis | Islamic philosophy and (Tawhid) Tawhid (oneness of God)) | Psychology and psychoanalysis |
Artistic Expression | Islamic art seeks to embody spiritual values rooted in Tawhid, emphasising divine unity over human-centred expression. | Symbols representing the collective unconscious |
Ultimate Goal | Islamic art is not merely a medium for aesthetic expression but a philosophical and spiritual reflection that reinforces the idea that God is the sole Creator and that everything in the universe is interconnected through His unity. | Understanding psychological and social meanings |
Symbolic Tools | Stylization ،Non-Individuation Repetition ،Arabesque | Archetypes (universal patterns) |
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Alghamdi, N.A.; Al-Ashwal, N.T. Reviving Architectural Ornaments in Makkah: Unveiling Their Symbolic, Cultural, and Spiritual Significance for Sustainable Heritage Preservation. Buildings 2025, 15, 1681. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15101681
Alghamdi NA, Al-Ashwal NT. Reviving Architectural Ornaments in Makkah: Unveiling Their Symbolic, Cultural, and Spiritual Significance for Sustainable Heritage Preservation. Buildings. 2025; 15(10):1681. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15101681
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlghamdi, Nawal Abdulrahman, and Najib Taher Al-Ashwal. 2025. "Reviving Architectural Ornaments in Makkah: Unveiling Their Symbolic, Cultural, and Spiritual Significance for Sustainable Heritage Preservation" Buildings 15, no. 10: 1681. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15101681
APA StyleAlghamdi, N. A., & Al-Ashwal, N. T. (2025). Reviving Architectural Ornaments in Makkah: Unveiling Their Symbolic, Cultural, and Spiritual Significance for Sustainable Heritage Preservation. Buildings, 15(10), 1681. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15101681