VMCTA
. project 04
date. 2021-2022
city. Karachi
mediums. various
These works were created during my 1-year diploma at the Prince's School of Tradional Arts.
Final Project:
The symbol of the Tree of Life has been commonly found in many cultures and beliefs in traditions that are both Pagan and Abrahamic. The idea of a tree as a symbol that represents divine blessing and is central to sustaining life seems to be a common theme. It would not be too far fetched to believe that the Biblical, and in fact Pagan, Interpretations of the Tree of Life have had an influence on Islamic arts, at least aesthetically, regarding Tree of Life. However, it must not be ignored that Islam itself has a rich interpretation of its own regarding this.
The biblical influence understandably is very closely knit to the idea of this “Central Tree” in Paradise. In Quran, many ayahs talk about the Shajarat-ul-Khuld, the tree of Heaven, and its beauty. Another important tree symbol within Islam is the Tree from which Adam and Eve consumed the forbidden fruit. There is also mention of Sidrat al-Muntaha the tree that marks the utmost boundary in the seventh heaven. This tree is especially important within Muslim belief because other than God Himself, only Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) has been allowed to cross that boundary. There is also usage of the cedar tree to represent the ‘perfect man’.
However, the artistic influences of non-Biblical religions in Islamic Arts cannot be ignored. Most notably in Iran, the imagery of the Tree of Life within Zoroastrian art had been present for centuries. With the spread of Islam in Persia, this imagery was heavily adapted into the ornamentation of manuscripts, mosques and other places. In other parts of Iran and Central Asia, many scholars have studied the influence of the Chinese version of the Tree of Life, which usually hosts a Dragon or notably a Pheonix. The Pheonix on a Tree was the metaphor used by Farid-ud-din Attar in the Infamous mystical poem ‘Mantiq-ut-Tair’.
Similarly, the motif has been present in Hindu mythology and employed within Hindu temples. The aesthetical influence of that can be seen in Makhli, which was built largely by the Hindu artisans of the region.
Within Islamic interpretations of the Sacred Tree, there are many mystical traditions around the concept. Within Shi’i theology, the Tree of life symbolizes the Panjatan (The Holy Pentagon)- Muhammad, Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Hussain and the fruits and flowers representing the Imams. One such example is within the Fatimid Design of Jami’ Al-Azhar that has an intricately carved mihrab featuring a five-petal palmette at the base.
Within Mughal Art, the Wazir Khan Masjid hosts many examples of trees. The frescos in the Mosque have often been read as the Tree that marks the boundary of Heaven, indicating that one who enters the mosque has entered Paradise. Wazir Khan Mosque also is special because other than using the Mugal sensibilities, it also hosts many Persian influences. The Cedar tree in particular is one such example. Usage of Persian couplets and Kashi techniques is a further affirmation of the influences.
