Symbolic Design

Last week we visited the subject of Turkish Iznik tiles so this week I thought we could learn about some of the designs.

Tulip:

• Symbol of the Ottoman Empire
• Meanings include submission, modesty, or love

In Burnt Amber the tulip arabesque visits those meanings in Sybil's wardrobe and in one other strategic place (sorry, no spoilers here).

Tree of Life:

• Known in many cultures as the world tree, for example the Norse Yggdrasil or Hindu Ashvastha
• Symbolic of the cycle of life and death, but also represents the interconnectedness of everything.

The design appears in Burnt Amber with the phoenix. I've also seen versions of the actual tree recently in Avatar and The Alchemist.

Çintemani:

• Three pearls, topped by two double clouds thought to represent dragons
• Used on items for the sultan, especially his robes.
• Meanings include power, strength, protection

My kids reminded my about it recently when I was looking for blue amber. The çintemani stone is important in their video game, Uncharted 2. Never know where your next inspiration is going to come from you know...I'm using the çintemani in the next book, if I ever get to it.

Of course there are many other patterns in tilework and textiles, but these are the ones you'll find in my work.

Turkish Tiles

Image via Wikipedia Tiles are a big part of decor all around the mediterranean and Turkey is no different.

Decorative blue and white tiles from Iznik and Kutahya can be found in palaces and mosques around the country. Sultanahmet Mosque in Istanbul is famously known as the Blue Mosque because of the tiles.

Most people have a piece or two in their home, perhaps a trivet or something more decorative like the panel on the right. Gorgeous isn't it? It's the tree of life in a frame. I could definitely find a spot for it in my foyer but any more and I might get dizzy looking at the patterns. The pottery produced by Kutahya Porselen is what I like! (Sybil bought a vase in one Burnt Amber cut)That will have to be another post...

More utilitarian tiles used in homes are usually from Çanakkale where there is a factory under the same name. Çanakkale, btw, is near the ancient city of Troy. Lowe's and Home Depot often carry tiles from Turkey. They are indistinguishable from their Italian counterparts. You have to check the stamp on the back to find out where it's made.

Choices are endless and I almost lost my mind trying to pick out tiles for our apartment when I lived in Mersin. And if you thought that was hard, wait until the tile man comes to install them and asks what pattern you prefer! Some of the most talented tilers are Turks because they are still actively practicing the art.

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