Islamic Art and

Geometric Design

ACTIVITIES FOR LEARNING

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

 Activity 2
straightedge, marker,
straightedge, pencil,
three examples of the
Finding Geometric Shapes within Circles seven overlapping circles Finding Geometric Shapes within Circles one rosette made
earlier in this activity
design made in Activity 1
For examples see Fountain from Nur al-Din room (slide 4) and For an example see Pair of doors (slide 9)
Laila and Majnun at School: Miniature from the Khamseh of Nizami (slides 18)

Using the seven overlapping circles design created in Activity 1, students will be able to find three
possible shapes: rosette, hexagon, and equilateral triangle. Use a marker to highight each shape.

1. Start with the rosette on 2. Connect every other point of 3. Connect opposite corners of
Rosette the opposite page. the rosette to produce a six- the hexagon within the star.
pointed star with overlapping Extend the lines to the edge
The rosette divides the triangles and a hexagon in of the central circle to divide
central circle into six equal the center. the star into twelve equilateral
parts and locates six equally triangles. Erase the lines
spaced points on its inside the central circle,
circumference—a leaving the circle and line
result of all the circles end points visible.
having the same radius.

Hexagon

To make a hexagon, use a

straightedge to join adjacent
circumference points on the
central circle.

Two equilateral
4. Connecting every fifth point
triangles
will produce a twelve-
pointed star.
To create two equilateral
triangles, join every second
point. Notice that these two
triangles form a six-pointed
star.

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 Activity 3 fig. 1 Seven Overlapping Circles Grid
straightedge, two different
colored markers, tracing
Creating Triangle and Hexagon Grids paper, seven overlapping
For an example see Laila and Majnun at School: Miniature from circles grid (fig. 1)
the Khamseh of Nizami (slide 17)

In Activity 1, if you had continued adding overlapping circles at the intersection points,
the result would be a circle grid as shown in the seven overlapping circles grid (fig. 1).
This circle grid is the basis for both the triangle grid and the hexagon grid.

1. On the seven overlapping 2. Place the tracing paper over

circles grid (fig. 1), place the circle grid, and connect
a dot at the center of each the dots in horizontal and
rosette. diagonal lines to make a
triangle grid.

3. Now you have the triangle

grid on the tracing paper.
Using a different color of
marker, mark the hexagon
grid by highlighting the
outer edge of six adjoining
triangles, as shown.

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 Activity 4 Activity 5
paper, straightedge, marker,
straightedge, four copies of the five
From One Circle to Five Overlapping Circles compass,
Finding Geometric Shapes within Circles overlapping circles design
marker For examples see Textile fragment (slide 13) and
made in Activity 4
Leaf from a Qur’an manuscript (slide 16)

1. Bisect the page by drawing 2. Place the compass point at 3. Using points B, C, D, and E, Octagon Eight-pointed star,
one horizontal and one point A and draw a circle. draw four more circles. version 1
perpendicular line. Mark the Leave room to draw equal Mark the points where the To create a regular octagon, use By joining every second
center as A. sized circles on each side, four circles intersect F, G, H, a straightedge to join adjacent point on the original circle,
at the bottom, and at the top. and J. points on the circumference of you will create two squares
Mark the points that cross the the original circle. that overlap to form an
lines B, C, D, and E. eight-pointed star.

B J B F
A E C

D H G

4. Use a straightedge to draw 5. The straight lines both divide Eight-pointed star, Four-pointed star
the lines FH and JG through the circle into eight equal version 2
the center. These lines parts and locate eight By joining every third point, Embedded in the eight-
intersect the original circle at equally spaced points—B, you will create a different pointed star (version 2)
four equally spaced points C, D, E, K, L, M, P—on the eight-pointed star. is a four-pointed star.
at K, L, M, and P. circumference of the original
circle. This is the result of the
five circles having the same
radius. These points can be
used to form octagons,
eight-pointed stars, and four-
J P K F pointed stars, as shown in
Activity 5.

M L
H G

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 Activity 6 fig. 2 Five Overlapping Circles Grid
tracing paper, two different
Creating Square Grids from Circles colored markers, straight-
edge, five overlapping
For an example see Marquetry panel (slide 2) circles grid (fig. 2)

In Activity 4, if you had continued adding overlapping circles at the intersection points,
the result would be a circle grid as shown in the five overlapping circles grid (fig. 2).
This circle grid is the basis for the square grid and the diagonal grid.

1. On the five overlapping 2. With the tracing paper over

circles grid (fig. 2), place the circle grid, connect the
a dot at the point where dots horizontally and vertically
each circle meets. to make a square grid.

3. Now you have the square

grid on the tracing paper.
Using the straightedge and
a different colored marker,
mark diagonal lines.

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 Activity 7 fig.7A
fig. 3 Triangle Grid
tracing paper, marker,
Discovering Patterns within the Triangle Grid triangle grid (fig. 3)
For examples see Molded tile panel (slide 5) and Glazed tile panel (slide 6)

1. Place the tracing paper over 2. Select any one of the three 3. Repeat with the other
triangle grid (fig. 3). patterns below and, on the patterns.
tracing paper, copy only
those lines that will create
your selected pattern. Use
the lines of the grid as a
guide.

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 Activity 8 fig. 4 Five Overlapping Circles Grid
tracing paper, marker,
Discovering Patterns within the Five five overlapping
Overlapping Circles Grid circles grid (fig. 4)

For an example see Mihrab (slide 19)

1. Place the tracing paper over 2. Select any one of the three 3. Repeat with the other
the five overlapping circles patterns below and, on patterns.
grid (fig. 4). the tracing paper, trace
only those lines that will
create your selected pattern.
Use the lines of the grid
as a guide.

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 Activity 9 fig. 5 Seven Overlapping Circles Grid
tracing paper, marker,
Discovering Patterns within the Seven seven overlapping
circles grid (fig. 5)
Overlapping Circles Grid
For an example see Bowl (slide 1)

1. Place the tracing paper over 2. Select any one of the three 3. Repeat with the other
the seven overlapping patterns below and, on the patterns.
circles grid (fig. 5). tracing paper, copy only
those lines that will create
your selected pattern. Use
the lines of the grid as a
guide.

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 Activity 10 fig. 6 Diagonal Grid
tracing paper, marker,
Discovering Patterns within the Diagonal Grid diagonal grid (fig. 6)
For an example see Tile panel in the star-cross pattern (slide 7)

1. Place the tracing paper over 2. Select one of the three 3. Repeat with the other
the diagonal grid (fig. 6). patterns below and, on patterns.
the tracing paper, trace
only those lines that will
create your selected pattern.
Use the lines of the grid as
a guide.

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 Activity 11 compass, scissors, colored markers,
circle (fig. 7), flat surface for mounting the
Class Project with Cut-Out Stars finished stars. (The flat surface can be a poster
Constructing and Decorating the Stars board or paper. Size will depend on the number of
stars you have.)
Constructing a Six-Pointed Star Constructing an Eight-Pointed Star
1. Using fig. 7, begin by 2. Fold the circle in half. 3. Fold A over to B. 1. Using fig. 7, begin by 2. Fold the circle in half. 3. Fold A over to B.
carefully cutting out the carefully cutting out
circle. the circle.

7 7

A B A B

A B A B

4. Measure line CD. At the 5. Unfold. Fold to the back 6. Fold B up to meet point F. If 4. Fold B up to D, creating new 5. Draw a perpendicular line 6. Draw a perpendicular line
halfway point, mark point along axis CF. you look at the folded circle point E. from line CD to point E. from line CE to point D.
E. Keeping a sharp point edge on, it should make a Fold D down along line EF, Fold E down along line DG,
D
at B, fold along line BE. zigzag. keeping a sharp point at E. keeping a sharp point at D.
Where C now touches the F F Unfold. Unfold.
circle‘s edge, mark point F. E D D D D
B
E F E F E
C G
C B C B
E
D D F F F D C C C
E D D
E E
F E F E
B
C B C B C B G
C C B
C C
7. Hold the folded circle so you can 8. Open to discover six- 7. Cut along fold lines EF and 8. Open to discover an eight-
see where fold BE (created in pointed star. DG only to the intersection. pointed star.
step 4) meets the outer edge of D
the circle. Cut along fold line BE. F E

B G

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 fig. 7 Circle

Decorating the Stars

Ask the students to decorate their stars. Look at the slides for ideas for patterns and designs. We suggest
that the stars be placed on either a light colored or black background to enhance the students’ decoration.
Each student can make multiple stars to form his or her own panel, or individual students’ stars can be
combined to make a class panel. The stars should be mounted on the panel (poster board or paper) with
their points touching, as shown below.

Six-pointed star panel Eight-pointed star panel

Once the project is completed, you may want to point out the star-hexagon pattern in the Molded
tile panel (slide 5) and/or the Tile panel in the star-cross pattern (slide 7). Ask the students
to compare these artworks to their own projects.

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Resources and Glossary
 Selected Bibliography and Resources
Islamic World Carboni, Stefano, and David Whitehouse. El-Said, Issam. Islamic Art and Architecture: Juvenile
Glass of the Sultans. New York: The Metropolitan The System of Geometric Design. Reading, U.K.:
Al-Qur’an (The Qur’an). Trans. Ahmed Ali. Museum of Art; Corning: Corning Museum of Garnet Publishing, 1993. Beshore, George. Science in Early Islamic Culture.
Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1984. Glass; Athens: Benaki Museum; New Haven: This is a consideration of the background and Science of the Past. New York: Franklin Watts, 1998.
Yale University Press, 2001. construction of Islamic design. Written for the author’s Concise chapters on science, numbers, astronomy,
Armstrong, Karen. Islam: A Short History. Featuring more than 150 glass objects representing doctoral thesis, it explains the mathematical elements geography, and medicine highlight these achievements
Modern Library Chronicle Series. New York: twelve centuries of Islamic glassmaking, this beautifully behind the designs. in the Islamic world and their continuing impact on
Modern Library, 2000. illustrated exhibition catalog includes essays on the Western civilization.
history as well as the techniques of glass making. Forseth, Sonia Daleki. Creative Math/Art Activities
Armstrong, Karen. Muhammad: A Biography of for the Primary Grades. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: George, Linda S. The Golden Age of Islam.
the Prophet. New York: Harper Collins, 1992. Ettinghausen, Richard, Oleg Grabar, and Prentice-Hall, 1984. Cultures of the Past. New York: Benchmark Books,
Marilyn Jenkins-Madina. Islamic Art and These lessons are designed to supplement and reinforce 1998.
Architecture, 650–1250. New Haven: basic concepts for mathematics instruction from Covers the history, beliefs, society, and global legacy
Shabbas, Audrey, ed. Arab World Studies
Yale University Press, 2001. kindergarten through grade 3. of Islam from the last years of the eighth century to the
Notebook. Berkeley: AWAIR (Arab World and thirteenth century.
Islamic Resources), 1998. This is an overview of Islamic art and architecture
of Spain, Africa, and the Middle East from its Henry, Boyd. Experiments with Patterns in
beginnings to the mid-thirteenth century. Written by Mathematics: Enrichment Activities for Grades MacDonald, Fiona. A 16th-Century Mosque. Inside
Turner, Howard R. Science in Medieval Islam: well-known scholars, this amply illustrated and readable Story. New York: Peter Bedrick Books, 1994.
7–12. Palo Alto, Calif.: Dale Seymour
An Illustrated Introduction. Austin: University of book provides a well-balanced account and makes The design and construction of Istanbul’s Suleymaniye
Publications, 1987.
Texas Press, 1997. the age and its art come alive for the student and the These fifty -five experiments utilizing patterns and mosque by the famous architect Sinan is the context for a
The intellectual legacy left by the multinational and general reader. discussion of all aspects of life in the Ottoman empire of
numbers provide a wealth of ideas from polygonal
multiethnic scientific community (Christians, Jews, the sixteenth century.
numbers through pythagorean triples.
and Muslims from all over the Islamic world) of the Robinson, Francis, ed. Cambridge Illustrated
ninth through thirteenth century is the subject of this
History of the Islamic World. Cambridge: Newman, Rochelle, and Martha Boles. The Golden
illustrated, readable survey. Videos
Cambridge University Press, 1996. Relationship: Art, Math, Nature. Book 1. Universal
An outstanding one-volume overview of the entire Islamic Patterns, 2nd rev. ed. Book 2. The Surface Plane.
world from its rise in the seventh century to the end of the Bradford, Mass.: Pythagorean Press, 1992. Islam. Produced and directed by Steve York; written
Islamic Art twentieth; well illustrated and engaging, it includes a Art and mathematics constructs are used here to help by Michael Olmert. Alexandria, Va.: PBS Video,
chronology of all rulers and an extensive bibliography. make connections and understand the recurring patterns 1991. (VHS 58 min.) Smithsonian World
Baer, Eva. Islamic Ornament. Edinburgh: in nature and in space. Forms and words are linked (television program)
Edinburgh University Press, 1998. Stierlin, Henri. Islamic Art and Architecture. to explore patterns. Appendices include mathematical Examines the history and culture of Islam.
Baer presents an historic survey of the function London: Thames and Hudson, 2002. symbols, properties, and proofs; geometric formulas;
and significance of Islamic ornament spanning Stierlin, an architectural historian, has written a lavishly art techniques; templates; and an illustrated glossary. Islam: A Civilization and Its Art. Produced and
one thousand years, from the seventh through illustrated overview of Islamic art and architecture; the directed by Jo Franklin. Washington, D.C.:
seventeenth century. book includes detailed presentations on nine of the great Norman, Jane, et al. Patterns East and West: Pacific Productions, 1991. (VHS 90 min.)
masterpieces of Islamic architecture, including the Friday Introduction to Pattern in Art for Teachers. New An informative and entertaining look at Islamic art
Blair, Sheila S., and Jonathan M. Bloom. Mosque in Isfahan and the Taj Mahal in Agra. York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1986. and culture.
The Art and Architecture of Islam, 1250–1800. Examples from a cross-section of the Metropolitan
New Haven: Yale University Press, 1994. Museum’s collection are compared, analyzed, and
Blair and Bloom, renowned scholars of Islamic art, Math and Geometry transformed (includes slides). Other Sources
provide a thoroughly readable and copiously illustrated
detailed look at Islamic art from the time of the Mongol Bourgoin, Jules. Arabic Geometrical Pattern and Stevens, Peter. Handbook of Regular Patterns: Timeline of Art History
invasions in the thirteenth century to the beginning of the Design. New York: Dover Publications, 1974. An Introduction to Symmetry in Two Dimensions. www.metmuseum.org/toah
nineteenth century; a final chapter covers Islamic art This book of patterns illustrates 190 examples of Islamic Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1981.
and its relationship to the West in the nineteenth and geometrical designs: hexagons, octagons, pentagons, Stevens combines artistic symbols with mathematical The Math Forum
twentieth centuries. heptagons, dodecagons, and more. explanations and relates designs from different cultures http://mathforum.org
and periods in history. The Math Forum is a research and educational enterprise
Bloom, Jonathan M., and Sheila S. Blair. Critchlow, Keith. Islamic Patterns: An Analytical
Islamic Arts. London: Phaidon Press, 1997. of Drexel University; the site has information and links for
and Cosmological Approach. New York: Thames Wade, David. Pattern in Islamic Art. Woodstock, K–12, college, and advanced math topics.
Beginning with a definition of Islamic art, Bloom and and Hudson, 1984. N.Y.: The Overlook Press, 1976.
Blair then describe it in this excellent, readable Through progressively complex geometrical This pattern book illustrates the structure and Aramco World Magazine
one-volume introduction. procedures, the author provides a foundation from development of Islamic patterns and provides Published six times annually to increase cross-cultural
basic building blocks of Islamic geometrical patterns descriptions and directions for construction. understanding of Arab and Muslim worlds. Free
to multifaceted designs.
subscription for educators: Saudi Aramco World, Box
469008, Escondido, CA 92406-9008

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 Glossary

Allah Kufic script omphalos

the Arabic word for “God,” the same coming into use in the seventh century, from the Greek word for “navel,” a
monotheistic God worshipped in Judaism this was used primarily for monumental decorative motif consisting of a bump
and Christianity, the God of Abraham, purposes, its angular forms ideal for or knob within a circle
the God of Jesus architectural decoration
polygon
calligraphy marquetry a plane figure with several angles and
the art of elegant or stylized writing in decoration achieved by inlaying patterns sides, usually more than four (see also
which the word itself becomes a work into precious woods or ivory regular polygon)
of art: exceptionally skilled Muslim
calligraphers gained honorific titles mihrab Qur’an
and fame a recessed niche in a mosque wall literally “recitation,” the holy book of
that indicates the direction of Mecca Islam, containing God’s words as
cartouche and marks the focus of congregational revealed in Arabic to Muhammad; the
a decorative oval or oblong-shaped prayers, usually the most adorned and Qur’an contains 114 suras, or chapters
panel with scrolled edges used in art decorated element of the mosque
and architecture as a base for regular polygon
inscriptions or other decorations, or mina’i ware a polygon with equal sides and equal
used as a decoration in and of itself a Persian style of pottery in which most angles, e.g., an equilateral triangle,
colors are applied over the glaze square, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon,
cenotaph or octagon (see also polygon)
a tomblike monument or memorial mosque (masjid)
dedicated to a deceased person who literally “place of prostration,” where regular tessellation
is buried elsewhere Muslims gather for prayer; a new the only three regular tessellations
mosque is built where the calls to that can exist are the tessellations by
circle prayer from the nearest mosque can equilateral triangles, by squares, and
a plane figure bounded by a single no longer be heard by hexagons; the boundaries of these
curved line, every point of which is tessellations form the triangle grid, the
equally distant from the point at the Muhammad square grid, and the hexagon grid
center of the figure (b. Mecca, Arabia, ca. 570 A.D., (see also tessellation)
d. Medina, 632 A.D.) recognized as
equilateral triangle ”the messenger of God” by the Muslims, symmetry
a triangle whose three sides are of he was an Arab merchant who preached correspondence in size, shape, and
equal length the Islamic faith, began receiving divine relative position of parts on opposite
revelations about 610 A.D., and was sides of a dividing line or medium plane
Hadith forced to leave with his followers from or about a center or axis
Islam’s second holiest book, literally Mecca to Medina in 622 A.D.
“traditions” or “accounts” of tessellation
Muhammad’s actions, sayings, and muqarnas a covering of an infinite geometric plane
commentaries on the Qur’an, which initially structural in purpose and made without gaps or overlaps by congruent
together form the basis of Islamic law of stone, later decorative and crafted of plane figures of one type or a few types
plaster, these clustered niches or parts (see also regular tessellation)
idolatry of niches were used to decorate the area
the worship of idols, or images of deities between the walls and dome in Islamic vegetal motifs
architecture (also known as honeycomb decoration reminiscent of plants, usually
Islam or stalactite vaulting) characterized by curving, twisting linear
literally “surrender,” “submission” forms such as stalks or stems, as well as
to the will of God; the religion Muslim floral or leaf patterns
promulgated by Muhammad and a follower of Islam, literally “one who
followed today by about one-quarter surrenders,” hence, one who has direct
of the world’s population access to his/her God (Islam having
no priesthood)

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