Analyzing the Principle of Visual Unity and Integration in the Grivar Monotheistic Inscription in the Davazdah Imam Mausoleum of Yazd

Decoration

has a concept and meaning beyond adornment and physical appearance, and

to understand it, one must identify religious concepts and visual

codes. In all works of Islamic art and architecture, decorations have

always played an essential role in establishing a sense of unity and

sodality, and different visual measures have been used to induce this

sense. The Grivar inscription of the Davazdah Imam Mausoleum of Yazd is a

thousand-year-old unique inscription with a monotheistic theme placed

on an octagonal platform, which can be used as the basis for its

analysis. The present article has tried to uncover the visual and formal

measures implemented in this inscription using visual analysis, and it

seeks to answer the following questions: "Which visual and

representational measures has the designer used in the design of the

Grivar inscription of the Davazdah Imam Mausoleum of Yazd? How and to

what extent has it been used to instill a sense of unity?" In this

qualitative research, which was conducted using descriptive-analytical

method, and the data was collected through library studies and field

surveys. While reflecting on this building, the mentioned inscription,

which has been damaged over time, was recreated. Since the overall unity

lies in the components, while analyzing the overall structure, parts of

this long inscription were randomly selected for analysis. The results

of data analysis showed that following the identical form, especially in

the geometric and writing system, using small components in each

system, following the common linear structure, the space of the same

importance on the inscription, etc. are among the most significant

visual measures used with different quantities and qualities in the

inscription's design, which, as a whole, plays a role in inducing more

monotheistic themes by creating a desirable visual unity.