Ray Kwong
Google
Stepping into the Nasir al-Mulk (Pink Mosque) was an unforgettable experience. As the morning sunlight filtered through the stained glass windows of the Winter Prayer Hall, the Panj Kāse ceiling design cast a warm and colorful kaleidoscope on the walls and floors. The meaningful Panj Kāse Design (Five-Concave) features five concave, bowl-like structures in the ceilings and domes, reflecting the symbolic significance of the number five in Persian culture, such as the Five Pillars of Islam and the five human senses.
The mosque's traditional Persian design includes a central open courtyard with arched gateways on each side of the Four-Iwan layout, emphasizing symmetry and balance. Each iwan is beautifully decorated with pink tiles, geometric patterns, calligraphy, and even scenic views of European country houses.
Why European-style tiles? This influence may stem from cultural exchanges during the Qajar dynasty, as rulers and aristocrats often interacted with European styles through education and travel. Mirza Hasan Ali Nasir-ol-Mulk built the mosque to honor his father, Ali Akbar Qavam ol-Mulk, who served as the kalantar (lord mayor) of Shiraz. The mosque was constructed between 1876 and 1888, and Ali Akbar Qavam ol-Mulk was eventually buried there.
#Panj Kāse Design, #Four-Iwan, #Nasir al-Mulk, #Pink Mosque