Shabaka art and symmetry

Abstract

Symmetry is a category of equal, identical and uniform structure. Symmetry serves as a means of organizing the graphic or ornamental language in art. Symmetry plays an important role in all visual arts, but it is of exceptional significance for shabaka. The reason lies in the fact that the geometry of shabaka ornaments, which consist of regular polygons, is based on symmetry. In turn, rhombuses, hexagrams, eight-pointed stars and other polygons are combined in shabaka patterns to form strictly symmetrical compositions. Since shabaka arises within the mosque space, there is reason to believe that shabaka patterns convey cultural meanings associated with sacred geometry. The tradition of symmetrical compositions on a flat surface has survived to this day, as evidenced by the shabaka patterns of the Bibi-Heybat Mosque in Baku. At the same time, shabaka craftsmen have been creating dimensional pieces based on the principles of spatial symmetry over the last two decades.