Exploring Architectural Elements in Nizâmî’s Haft Peykar

Volume 11, Issue 41
Autumn 2023
Pages 46-59

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 B.S. in Architecture Engineering, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Art, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Architectural Technology Department, Faculty of Architecture and Art, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran.

3 Senior Expert in Architecture Engineering, Visiting Professor at the University of Kashan, Iran.

Abstract
Abstract
Nizâmî’s Haft Peykar, which through its depiction and description of architectural states and features directly and indirectly presents architecture and architectural spaces, provides valuable material for understanding and comprehending the architecture of the past and the architectural culture of Iran. The study of the text of this work reveals that architects pay attention to elements that give shape and vitality to the buildings they create. In his work, Nizâmî describes two buildings, Khawarnaq Palace and Seven Domes, along with the events taking place inside them, which can shed light on the elements and symbols associated with architecture. The research methodology employed in this study is descriptive-analytical and historical. It is based on library research, involving the interpretation and analysis of content to examine the mentioned buildings. The study focuses on several structures mentioned in the text, namely the Khawarnaq Palace, and Seven Domes, as well as the mentioned architectural features, characteristics, and symbols. The research findings indicate that each of the aforementioned areas has rules and frameworks for describing and explaining the architectural culture of the order in the text. The architectural characteristics of the mentioned structures and elements and symbols related to architecture and the poetic and architectural narrative of the work include attention to the grandeur and magnificence of the structure, its form and appearance, suitability for lifestyle and use, customs and cultural aspects of life within the building, consideration of ancient patterns such as iwans, attention to its location, neighboring structures, and the focus on color and its meanings in verses, hierarchy, views, condition and quality of materials, attention to form and shape and its influence on the evolution of the story, attention to celestial sciences and stars, etc. Furthermore, the role of the architect in relation to the client, the multi-disciplinary expertise of architects, the prescription of lifestyle and style by the architect, etc., are features of architecture in Haft Peykar by Nizâmî.

Keywords

  • Abbasi, S. (2010). A Critical review of white Dome Tale (According To Seventh Dometale From Nizâmî Ganjavi’s Haft Peykar). Kavoshnameh, 11 (20), 203-223.

    • Akbari, A. & Fatahi, A. (2016). The impact of Urartu architecture of Achaemenid architecture. Scientific Journal of History Research, 11 (44), 15-48.
    • Aliakbari, N. & Hejazi, M. (2009). Transcendent Analysis Of Haft Paykar. Textual Criticism Of Persian Literature (Researches On Persian Language And Literature), 45 (3), 35-58.
    • Al-Isfahani, A. A. F. (1985). Kitab al-Aghani (M. H. Mashaikh Faridni, Trans.). Tehran: Scientific and Cultural Publications. [in Persian]
    • Amirkalai, E., Taqwa, E. & Sana’i, V. (2013). Traces of poetry in architecture and their relationship. The second international congress of structure, architecture, and urban development. Tabriz, Iran.
    • Asadpour, A. & Sadeghi, S. (2021). Study on the Description of Architect in the Haft Peykar of Nizâmî. Journal of Art and Civilization of the Orient, 9 (31), 41-50.
    • Attarzadeh, A. K. (2005). The Sassanid Palace of Khowrnaq from reality to legend. Rahpooye Journal of Visual Arts, 1 (2), 10-15.
    • Barry, M. (2006). Nizâmî’s haft Peykar (J. Alavi Nia, Trans.). Tehran: Ney Publications. [in Persian]
    • Behpour, B. (2017). The “mood” of architecture in Haftakir Nizâmî. Memar, (108), 38-43.
    • Biruni, A. (2006). Book of Instructions in the Elements of the Art of Astrology. New York: Astrology Center of America.
    • Burckhardt, T. (2007). Fundamentals of Islamic Art. Translated by Amir Nasri (A. Nasri, Trans.). Tehran: Haghighat Publisher.
    • Faranbagh, D. (1990). Bundahishn. Reporter Mehrdad Bahar. Tehran: ToosPublication.
    • Farrukhi Sistani, A. H. A. j. (1984). Divan, tried by Dabir Siyaghi. Tehran: Zovar book shop. [In Persian]
    • Nezami Ganjavi. (1936). The Haft Paykar, edited by Hassan Vahid Dastgardi, with the efforts of Dr. Saeed Hamidian. Tehran: Ghatreh.
    • Nezami Ganjavi. (2015). The Haft Paykar: A Medieval Persian Romance, translated with an introduction and notes by Julie Scott Meisami. Hackett Publishing.
    • Gray, B. (1990). Persian painting (A. A. Shrouh, Trans.). Tehran: Asr jadid. [in Persian]
    • Hinz, W. (1989). Islamische Masse und Gewichte: umgerechnet ins metrische System (Gh. R. Varharam, Trans.). Tehran: Institute of Cultural Studies and Research. [in Persian]
    • Jayhani, H. (2015). The Image of Shah Mubads Palace and Garden in Vis u Ramin by Fakhr al-dīn Asʿad Gurgani. Journal of Iranian Architecture Studies, 4 (7), 73-92.
    • Khadivi, H. & Alipour, F. (2013). Haft Peikar and Its Historical Background (A Comparison). Journal of Erfaniyat Dar Adab Farsi, 4 (16), 11-30.
    • Madadi, N. (2017). Manifestation of architecture in seven military figures. Fifth National Conference on Urban and Architecture of Iran in the Transition of Works and Thoughts, Qazvin, Iran.
    • Manochehri Damghani, A. G. (2011). Divan of Manochehri Damghani. Tehran: Zavvar Press.
    • Modaresi Havas, J. (2017). The battle between soil and palace, analysis of the work “Building the Khowrnaq Palace” by Kamāl ud-Dīn Behzād. Journal of Astan Honar Quarterly, 6 (18), 56-61.
    • Mohammadi, M. H. (2011). A Survey of the Story Elements in Nizâmî’s Haft Peikar. Journal of Pedagogic and Lyric in Persian Language and Literature Studies Quarterly, 3 (6), 171-187.
    • Namvar Motalgh, B. (2003). “De-mythologizing and mythologizing of Khowrnaq Palace in the view of Nizâmî and Behzad”. Ketab-e Mah-e Honra, (131), 48-57. [in Persian]
    • Naser Khosrow, A.  M.  (2005).  Naser  Khosrow  Ghobadiani  Divan,  Tehran: University of Tehran.
    • Roshani, M. & Keshavarz Afshar, M. (2023). The study of the exposure of the necessity of justice in the miniature of Khovarnagh Palace by Kamaluddin Behzad. Negareh Journal, Articles in Press.
    • Shafiei Kadkani, M. R. (1996). Imaginary images in Persian poetry. Sixth Edition. Tehran: Agah Publication. • Varedi, Z. T. & Mokhtarnameh, A. (2007). Color In The Tales Of Haft-Peykar Of Nizâmî. Adab Pazhuhi, 1 (2), 167-189.