The Study of symbolic meanings of gliding’s patterns in preface of Khamseh of Nezami in Sepahsalar Library (Shahid Motahhari Library)

Tazhib(gliding), one of the branch of Islamic arts, was applied to decorate manuscripts in Islamic era. This art hasn’t been studied as independent art, but mostly it has been considered under art of illumination.This beautiful rhythmic patterns have deep and metaphysical meanings.Illustrating Persian painting has always been in deep relationship with rich and brief of Gnostic and wisely gestures and interpretation literature and painters also have tried to reveal these meanings in their paintings.This subject developed in safavid period.One of the most important sources of illustration for Persian painters is Khamseh of Nizami(quintet of Nizami)through the different periods because of his special style in imagination and description of various stories.In Safavid time, great Persian painters became appeared and numerous manuscripts illustrated, scribed and illumination in Safavid artistic centers. Those time is one of the glorious artistic periods of Persian visual arts which peerless images have remained by their pure artists. One of the most important khamsehs,manuscript that were created during the reign of the Safavid ruler Shah Tahmasp and keep in Sepahsalar library now.This research compare patterns of gliding in preface of this manuscript with Prophet’s Miraj in Khamseh.Methodology involved in this paper is analytical-comparative.This book decorated by 30 Persian paintings, illuminated pages. In those days,Qazvin was capital of Iran and also was cultural and artistic center so this splendid manuscript was apparently illustrated there.Studies show visual elements of gliding in preface of this masterpiece reflect different stages of Prophet’s Miraj because religious art use symbols for its metaphysical meanings.