What is Muqrans? History + types and components of moqrans

Moqrans is known as one of the wonders of Islamic architecture, which is seen in religious and historical buildings, especially in the Middle East, due to its special elegance and complexity. This architectural element, which stands out in an exceptional way with the artistic combination of lines and surfaces, is a kind of decorative structure that is connected to the roofs and arches and gives a special beauty to the buildings. In addition to creating a visual effect, moqrans are known as one of the symbols of art and creativity in Iranian and Islamic architecture. In this article, we will take a closer look at Moqrans and its details.

Learn more about Muqrans Kari:

What is Muqrans?

Moqrans is one of the prominent and old elements in Islamic architecture, which is designed in the form of nested, raised and geometric structures and is often used to decorate the roof, dome and arches of buildings. These structures are usually made in such a way that the audience can experience the feeling of movement and fluidity of the building by looking at the roofs or domes.

In addition to the aesthetic aspect and visual appeal, Moqrans also has its own advantages in terms of structure. With the help of these geometric elements, architects have managed to distribute the pressures on the buildings in a more effective way; For this reason, moqrans are also useful in building strength, earthquake resistance and increasing its lifespan.

_{Nasir al-Molk Mosque, Shiraz; Photo source: Wikimedia; Photographer: Ramin Rahmani Nejad Asil}

Pronunciation of Muqrans

The correct pronunciation of the word “Maqarnas” in Persian is “moqarnas” or “mo-gharnas” and in European languages ​​this term is also used with different pronunciations such as “muqarnas”. The root of this word comes back to the Arabic language and means “pattern” or “interlocking structure”.

Due to the long history and the wide range of use of moqrans in Islamic architecture, this word has been introduced not only in Middle Eastern languages, but also in Western languages ​​and has become an international word.

_{Amin al-Dawlah Caravanserai, Kashan; Photo source: destinationiran.com website; Photographer: Unknown}

The difference between moqrans and kabandi

Muqrans and karbandi are both decorations of Iranian and Islamic architecture; But they have significant differences. Moqrans is designed as a raised and bulky structure, which is usually used in the upper parts of the building, such as roofs and domes, and is nested in the form of nested molds; However, it is mostly used for gridding of surfaces and is used to create geometric and symmetrical patterns in architecture. In fact, it can be said that karbandi refers to a type of flat geometric decoration; While Moqrans has a third dimension and is designed in a voluminous and convex shape.

_{Application in Fin Kashan bathroom; Photographer’s name: Fatemeh Atefi}

History of Moqrans

Although the exact time and place of the first moqranskari is not known, it is most likely that the idea originated from the ice and lime lanterns hanging from the ceilings and walls inside the caves.

The Tomb of Dawood in Kermanshah and the tomb of Da and Dokhtar in Fars, which belong to the Medes era in Iran, are the undeveloped forms of the first moqrans in the world. After the Medes, simple but diverse forms of this art can be seen in the rock buildings and architectures and stone reliefs of the Achaemenid era. For example, in the buildings of Pasargad and Persepolis, including the Pasargad fireplace, Zoroaster’s Kaaba in Rostam Naqsh, Darius’ tomb, Cyrus’ tomb, and the Palace of the Hundred Pillars.

After the Achaemenid era, in the work left by the Parthians called the Palace of Assyria, we can see moqranskari in the incised style. During the Sassanid era, moqrans work, like other arts, made significant progress, and a complex type of moqrans was designed and executed in the palace of Ardeshir Babkan.

Although most of the historical and ancient works were destroyed and destroyed before Islam, but the remaining works of Moqranskari show well that there is a significant difference in this art before and after the rise and spread of Islam. In Isfahan Jame Mosque, Ardestan Jame Mosque, Golpayegan Jame Mosque and Qazvin Heydarieh School, Seljuk era moqrans work can be seen. Ilkhanians have also used the art of moqrans more elaborately and diversely in Ashtarjan Jame Mosque and Soltanieh Dome.

_{Saadian tombs in Morocco; Photo source: Wikimedia; Photographer: C messier}

During the Timurid era, moghrans work was used on a wider and broader level and was covered with tiling and turning. The dominant color of the moccasins of this period is turquoise and garlic blue. The head of the shrine of Imam Reza (AS), Goharshad Jame Mosque, Tomb of Amir Timur and Blue Mosque of Tabriz are among the most obvious examples left from this era.

During the Safavid era, innovation in this art led to the creation of different works than before. Before that, they used to build the moqrans by raising the joists, arches, bricks and internal walls of the building, but the Safavids used the mold for design and then connected them to the roof from the bottom up with fasteners. Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Chahar Bagh School, Ali Qapo Palace and Sheikh Safiuddin Ardabili’s tomb are among examples of moqrans of this age.

The Qajarians have also left wonderful buildings decorated with moqrans work; Such as historical houses and baths in Kashan, Sepahsalar Mosque in Tehran and Sadeghi House in Ardabil.

Moqrans components

Moqranskari is used under the arches of porches, earrings and roofs of domes, columns, minarets and exterior facades of towers and can be made of plaster, mirror, gold, tile, glass, wood, stone, brick or any other material. In Iran, most moqrans works are covered with tiles and gold.

At first glance, buildings decorated with moqrans seem very complicated; But these structures have emerged from the repetition and overlapping of specific components. The main elements in this type of architecture are Tas and Shaperk. Tasse is placed between two shaperaks and creates the recessed space of the moqrans. Shaperk is also a three-sided part that is placed between the strips and becomes the connecting factor of the components. The other components of the moqrans include tarang, shamseh, mouse feet and beds, which are prepared in advance and are mounted on the base wall according to a specific plan.

_{House of Boroujerdis of Kashan; Photo source: Wikimedia; Photographer: Amir Pashai}

Types of muqrans

Muqrans are divided into different types, which differ based on the style and method of execution. Among its types, we can mention the protruding, superimposed, suspended, honeycomb, stepped, decorative, knotted, etc., each of which has specific features and functions and is selected and used according to the needs and architectural style.

• Protruding: In this type of moqrans, the materials are selected from the building itself, and simply in the form of plaster or brick, they give a special effect to the exterior of the building and increase the strength of the building. Toghrel tower can be mentioned among the moqrans.
• Superimposed: This type of moqrans is used on the internal and external surfaces of the building and is placed in several rows on top of each other and mounted on the wall. An example of this moqrans can be seen in the markets of Kashan.
• Pending: Hanging lanterns are very similar to limestone lanterns hanging from the ceiling of caves and are made by joining different materials such as plaster, pottery, tiles, etc. on the inner surfaces of buildings. This hanging moqrans has very little strength and its example can be seen in Gohar Shad Mosque.
• Honeycomb: The title of beehive was chosen because of the similarity of this moqrans to a bee’s nest and it is a kind of suspended moqrans and has little strength. This type of muqrans can be seen in the tomb of Sheikh Abdul Samad Natanz.

In Iranian structures and buildings, most of the moqrans are nested or knotted, which give the building a special and unique beauty by creating more depth, complexity and a multi-faceted and multi-dimensional vision.

_{Razavi shrine of Mashhad; Photo source: yjc.ir website; Photographer: Unknown}

A famous matchmaker of Iran

Iran is known as one of the prominent centers of matchmaking. There are many buildings in cities such as Isfahan, Kashan, Qom, Yazd, Shiraz, Tehran, Mashhad, etc., which display extraordinary examples of maqrans work. Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan and Imam Reza Shrine (AS) in Mashhad are among the unique examples of moqrans work in Iran.

The decoration of these buildings has been done with special precision and elegance, and Iranian artists have succeeded in creating works that are not only eye-catching, but also unique, using different designs and colors. In the holy shrine of Imam Reza (a.s.) the combination of moqrans work with tile work, mirror work, gilding, gilding design and other arts of Iranian architects is very spectacular.

_{Razavi Shrine; Photo source: Bakhshiofficial.com website; Photographer: Unknown}

Moqrans in the world

Moqranskari is not limited to Iran and is also used in many countries of the Middle East, Europe and North Africa. In the mosques and historical monuments of Syria, Turkey, Egypt and Morocco, you can also see beautiful examples of moqrans work. Also, in the shrines and blessed courts of Iraq, moqrans work has been used to decorate the roofs, porches and domes.

Another one of the most famous examples of Moqrans in the world is the Cordoba Grand Mosque in Spain, which has been greatly influenced by Islamic architecture. Moqranskari made its way to the Iberian Peninsula and reached its peak in Córdoba during the Umayyad period. Today, its influence can be seen in Islamic buildings and even in Christian buildings in Spain and Portugal.

_{Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, Spain; Photo source: Wikimedia; Photographer: Julia Kostecka}

Training of moqranskari

Moqranskari training requires familiarity with geometrical principles, designing complex patterns and mastering various architectural tools and decorative arts. Today, in some universities and educational centers, specialized courses are held to learn this art, and those interested can create creative works in this field by learning its principles. Art students, by acquiring the skill of carpentry, can achieve advanced techniques in the design and implementation of this art and even use it in modern architecture with their creativity and pass this rich heritage to the next generations.

_{Pakistan’s Wazir Khan Mosque; Photo source: Wikimedia; Photographer: Kkashaff}

Do you know any other examples of Moqrans work in historical, cultural and tourism works of Iran or other parts of the world? Share your experiences with us and other Kajaro users.

_{Cover photo: Muqrans Kari in Isfahan Imam Mosque; Photo source: Wikimedia; Photographer: Diego Delso}