Inside This Unit: The Full Breakdown
West and Central Asia (500 BCE–1980 CE) centers the art of the Islamic world — calligraphy, geometry, arabesque, and mosque architecture.
Why it matters
It introduces aniconism in sacred contexts and the spiritual power of ornament and the written word.
Key concepts
- Calligraphy elevates the sacred written word.
- Geometry and arabesque suggest infinity and order.
- Mosques feature domes, minarets, and a mihrab.
Word, Geometry, and Sacred Space
Because figural imagery is generally avoided in Islamic sacred contexts (aniconism), calligraphy, geometric pattern, and arabesque carry meaning. Mosque features — dome, minaret, mihrab — organize worship and orient prayer toward Mecca. Tilework and illuminated manuscripts integrate text and ornament.
AP exam tip
Explain how aniconism leads to emphasis on calligraphy, geometry, and architecture rather than figural sculpture.
Connections to other units
- Unit 6: Like much African art, function and ornament matter more than likeness.
- Unit 8: Asian religious architecture also encodes cosmology.
