An Analysis of the Function of Spiritual-Ritual Inscriptions in Epic-Religious Architecture

By accepting the tendency of the world to evolve around the axis of the pure Imams (Peace be upon them) as examples of “perfect human”, it is important to know the architectural features of the perfecting architecture of their holy shrines. Ashura opens a gate of light to the inside of the Qibla and luminous city of love. The qibla is a sign not to be lost the path. And this is how the signs became important in the holy shrines. Islamic art and architecture is expression of God's word. And religious spiritual inscriptions are the most prominent symbol that is connected like a bridge from the sensible world to the universe of meaning by manifesting truths.
In this article, in response to the question that "Religious-spiritual inscriptions as enduring media with what conceptual-formal pattern, have expressed the original religious concepts in epic-religious architecture?" We have dealt with the dome of the holy shrine of Imam Hussein, which is the point of connection between earth and heaven and a symbol of justice. First, by reviewing the types of decorative and artistic calligraphy, in order to know the type of them and artistic form and understanding the content of the inscriptions of the dome, and then by the method of illustration and field interpretation and then by analytical-interpretive method, it is clear that the holy inscription of the holy shrine has been prepared as a symbolic medium in accordance with the uprising of Imam Hussein. Meanwhile, Surah “Fajr” in the scroll inscription of the dome, with a height of 5 meters, as a surah related to Imam Hussein (AS) in the circular geometry of the center of the dome is located; the height of the leg and itself to the top is 14 meters. The type of calligraphy shows the art of tholth calligraphy by Mohammad Hossein Shahid Mashhadi, a prominent Qajar calligrapher in 1373 AH, who also succeeded in writing inscriptions in the holy shrine of Imam Reza at that time. The concept of the four bergamot inscriptions on the base of the dome, includes thanking God for the success in decorating and gilding the dome, deals with the period and the founder of the construction.
Finally, and according to the plan to elevate the holy dome of Imam Hussein at the present time, the offer of this article is to add the mention of brotherhood and unity of the two nations of Iran and Iraq in the terracotta inscriptions of the dome and repeat Surah Fajr in the scroll inscription of base of the dome.