International Journal of Liberal Arts and Social Science Vol. 3 No. 3 March, 2015

59

ARCHITECTURAL SYMBOLS OF NAKHCHIVAN TOMBS

Gulnara Qanbarova1 and Naci Edi

2

Two rare samples of tower tombs, which are bright and specific kinds of the architecture of Seljuk

period in Azerbaijan, remain in Nakhchivan. These are Yusif Kuseyir tomb (1162) – Atababa dome and

Atabeys dome Momina Khatun (1186),the works by Ajami Nakhchivani, the great architect of the XII

century. One of the main reasons for the high level of architectural image of both tombs is the professional

use of the symbols of that period. The architect also benefited from the structure and elements in the artistic

form of his works, as a special information system.

First of all, the symbolizm of tower tombs has been reflected in the structure of their volume space and

plan. It’s clear that in the history of memorial architecture, the tradition of resembling of ancient people’s

burial facilities to their houses has widely been spread. This tradition in the tower tombs is the resembling of

underground part to black checkers, and the surface to the tent3. This, the volume and spatial structure of

these two Nakhchivan tombs like in Oguz turks’ memorial monuments has symbolic importance for

memorial buildings.

As the ground part of tower tombs is covered with triple layer dome, their cross–section has three

layer structure-vault, tower root and dome. Such three – layer structure is compatible with the three layer

spatial cosmogonic idea in the ancient Turkic faith. According to that thought, the world model consist of

upper (sky), medium (ground) and lower (underground) part4. As is seen the type of tower tomb repeats this

model explicitly. Part of the dome of the tomb is surrounded by two layers of the main castle, This similarity

has been expressed not only in the three layer inner structure but also their architectural structure and color

solution. The domes symbolize the sky dome because of their being covered with blue tiles and cut-rounded

slabs. The body of the shrines - ground tower has close relation with nature for being covered with bricks

and represents the ground in high artistic way for “Floral” pattern on their faces. The architect, ajami

Nakhchivani has achieved the resemblance of ancient Turkic thought to the world model perfectly in his

masterpiece Momina Khatun Mausoleum.

1 Associate Professor, Doctor. Gulnara Qanbarova.Azerbaijan, Nakhchivan State University, Department of Architecture.

E-mail: gulnare_qenberova65@yahoo.com 2 Dispersants. Naci Edi. Turkey Pain Chechen University. E-mail: n.edi@hotmail.com

3 Jafar Giyasi. "Nizami period of architectural monuments". "Light", Baku, 1991, p.84.

4 "Myths of the measure". Enchiklopedia.Volume 1. Moscow B / P."Olympus" 2000, p. 537

International Journal of Liberal Arts and

1

The entrance gates to both underg

eastern part. Recent researches have pro

was on the western part of tomb. In an

entrance to the underground world5. As

during the restoration in the 50’s of last c

caused serious damage to its art and sche

2.

The structure of Ajami Nakhchiv

based on octagon. It should be said that,

tower tombs. The main reason may be e

Thus. the octagonal form expressed “Ər

been kept in the Islamic world. That’s w

temple by giving an octagonal structure

importance of octagon in the system of

geometric form in memorial architecture

is right decagonal. Researches proved th

5 Myths of the measure". Enchiklopedia.Volume

6 Jafar Giyasi. "Safavid tombs." //Architecture

Baku, Light,1989/3. p.45-56.

nd Social Science ISSN: 2307-924X

1. Turkish mounds and tents

rground and ground parts of Momina Khatun M

roved that before restoration the entrance gate o

ancient Turkic beliefs “east” meant rebirth, “we

As is seen, architect Ajami remained loyal to th

t century, “the restorers” grossly interfered in this

hematic value.

Momina Khatun Mausoleum

hivani’s another work known the science the tom

at, the monuments which have octagonal plan are

explained by the symbolic meaning of correct oc

rş” (Arsh) cosmogonic symbol divine throne wh

s why the architects gave them the format like th

ure to the plans of tombs where influential peop

of ancient Turkish symbols directly influenced to

re as well as the tomb of Yusif Kuseyir. The plan

that the spatial plan structure had wholly been bui

e 1. Moscow B / P."Olympus" 2000, p. 537

e and art on the genesis and the Taj Mahal mausoleum. H

www.ijlass.org

Mausoleum are in the

of underground vault

est” meant death and

this Turkish idea. But

is rare work of art and

mb of Yusif Kuseyr is

re predominant among

octagonal monuments.

where eight angels had

the model of heaven’s

ople where built6. The

to the applying of this

lan of Momina Khatun

uilt on the principle of

History and theory issues.

International Journal of Liberal Arts and

decimal division. The principle is the

proportion and harmony in architecture.

internal architecture of the tomb has not

this enriches the content by raising the v

3.

Their covering with pattern com

playing a great role in the formation of t

Mausoleum. Geometric ornament struct

forms the basis of their architectural d

reflects cosmogonic imaginations, belief

have been used in the forms of writing

consist of geometric figures (polygon,

pattern in the period of Seljuk can’t be e

The principles of general structure and la

traditions8. Most of numerous patterns o

lost their semantics.

Literature:

Jafar Giyasi. "Nizami period of architec

"Myths of the measure".Enchiklopedi

Jafar Giyasi. "Safavid tombs." //Archit

and theory issues. Baku. Light. 1989.

Rasim Efendiev, T. Efendiev."The art o

7 Rasim Efendiev, T. Efendiev."The art of decora

8 Jafar Giyasi. "Nizami period of architectural m

nd Social Science Vol. 3 No. 3

he foundation of the system of golden divisio

e. As a result of the applying of the principle of d

ot only constructive – aesthetic but also point sym

value of art of that work.

3. The tomb of Joseph Kuseyir

ompositions on the surface of prismatic trunks

f the architectural pattern of Yusif Kuseyir tomb

cture which was a dominant kind of pattern in

l decoration ornament. Geometric ornament ass

ief and confidence of that period. Some of these g

ng and explanation among people7. Elements fo

n, stars or their combination). The high develo

explained only by the ban of living beings of Isl

layout of these geometric ornaments are based on

of Nakhchivan tombs are formed by the symbol a

tectural monuments". "Light", Baku, 1991.

dia.Volume 1.Moscow B / P."Olympus" 2000.

itecture and art on the genesis and the Taj Mahal

t of decoration." Baku-2002.

oration." Baku,2002,p.12.

monuments". "Light", Baku, 1991, p.86

March, 2015

ion that creates great

f decimal division, the

ymbolic character and

s from top to bottom

b and Momina Khatun

n the period of Seljuk

assembled with bricks

e geometric ornaments

forming such patterns

lopment of geometric

slamic religious bases.

on the ancient Turkish

l and signs which have

al mausoleum. History