Articles · Vol. 2 No. 9 (2026)

An Analysis Of The Astrological Decorations On The Portal Of The Mirzo Ulugbek Madrasa

Authors

  • Elyor ALIMQULOV

Keywords

Mirzo Ulugbek Madrasa Samarkand Registan peshtoq (portal) girih islimi ornament astrological decoration synergetic analysis astronomy Islamic architecture

Abstract

This article offers a synergetic and symbolic analysis of the astrological decorations on the portal (peshtoq) and portal-niche (qanos) of the Mirzo Ulugbek Madrasa on the Registan in Samarkand. It shows that the geometric girih, calligraphic, and vegetal ornaments of the madrasa are not mere decoration but a precise mathematical and cosmological program reflecting Ulugbek’s lifelong devotion to astronomy – encoding stars, galaxies, the seven climes, and a “map of the world” of interconnected gravitational systems. A numbered reading of the qanos composition is provided, interpreting each motif as an astronomical-symbolic element.

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References

1. Gul, E. (2000). So‘fizm va naqsh san’ati [Sufism and the art of ornament]. San’at [Art Journal], (4).

2. Mamadazimov, T. (2014). Mirzo Ulug‘bek davri arxitekturasi [The architecture of the Mirzo Ulugbek era]. TAQI. 357 E-ISSN 3069-8375