The Tree of life motif in the figural reliefs of Anatolion Seljuk architecture

Abstract

ii ABSTRACT The aim of this work is to investigate the historical origin of the tree of life and its usage in Anatolian Seljuk architectural decoration. Before discussing the Anatolian Seljuk tree of life and its origin in Islamic art which forms the second part of this thesis, I shall present a picture of the history of this motif in general. In the second part of my dissertation the tree of life appearing in Seljuk architectural decoration will be dealt within connection with other examples of Seljuk figural art presenting different shades of the symbolism of shamanistic belief and at the same time demonstrating the complexity of the Seljuk world of symbolism. The principal elements of floral decoration in use under the Anatolian Seljuks comprised a number of additional innovations such as the tree of life designs. These examples represent new combinations of form which are applied to mosques, medreses, tombs and kervansarays. In the Anatolian Seljuk art the tree of life and the beliefs concerning it are closely related with the Central Asian Concepts of the Universe. Some of the different aspects of tree - worship had their counterpart also in Islamic folklore and local legends if not in the Koran and sacred books of Islam. But the roots of these beliefs are hidden in the ancient mythologies of Asian religions.