A Comparative Study of Decorative Patterns in the Blue Mosques of Mazar-i-Sharif in Afghanistan and Sultan Ahmed in Turkey

 Decoration is the most valuable part of Islamic Art. Decoration can reflect the religious beliefs and manifestations of culture and art of the Islamic period and with all the ups and downs it has had over the centuries, it has been able to expand significantly and leave lasting works through unique and unified expressions in different climates. Among all kinds of architectural decorations, tiling and painting are the most attractive among Muslim architects and are considered the most important and effective factors in the beauty and grandeur of Islamic buildings.

The main purpose of this study is to examine the decorative patterns of the two ‘Kabud’ (blue) mosques of ‘Mazar-e-Sharif’ and ‘Sultan Ahmed’. The unique decorations of the blue mosques are compared to clarify the similar and dissimilar items in the decorative designs used on the tiles, which are inspired by nature and ethnic and regional influences and are derived from the art of ancient Iran and Islamic Iran.

The results were obtained by comparing the decorative patterns of the two mentioned mosques using the descriptive and analytical methods with the help of the tables, written documents, and data analysis.

​​The origin of decorative patterns in the two buildings is rooted in Iran, but each region has used its own mechanism and creativity to localize the designs. The tiling decorations used in the two blue mosques of ‘Sultan Ahmed’ and ‘Mazar-e-Sharif’ are simple, with emphasis on the commands of Islam, and are abstracted from nature in a vegetal, geometric and symbolic manner. Along with beautification, they have meanings and show order, multiplicity, and unity, and add to the coherence of the spiritual atmosphere of the environment.