Semantic and Structural Analysis of Stone Paintings of Shahsavar Izeh Islamic Period Mausoleum

Some of the glories of cultural Iran have been preserved in the area of long-lasting and enduring elements, such as lithographs. The elements that have the most resilience against the harsh nature as well as the events of the time and in a way preserve the culture of this land as well as its longevity. Some of these works are still based on different areas such as caves, rivers and mountains. One of those forms is the tombstones, of which there are valuable examples in different parts of Iran. In addition to identifying the deceased, these elements sometimes included multiple symbolic elements related to the traits, characteristics, occupation, gender, social status, interests or secrets of the heart, the survivors of him. The mausoleum of the Islamic period of Shahsavar Izeh, whose oldest historical shrine is about four hundred years old, is one of the mausoleums that have the said characteristics. The symbolic visual elements of this cemetery, which are displayed on its tombstones, represent two climatic and tribal features. The nature of these tombstones and how and why their symbolic meanings are the questions that will be answered in this research. The aim of this research is first to better understand the symbolic and decorative elements of Izeh city and Khuzestan region and then to complete the information of Iranian lithographs. The present study is qualitative and has a phenomenological nature.