Decoraties op een basement van een minaret van de Shapoor-moskee in Ahmedabad before 1866

This is Thomas Biggs' photograph of the decorations on a minaret basement of the Shapoor-moskee in Ahmedabad. Notice the intricate geometric patterns carved into the stone. These designs, common in Islamic art, extend beyond mere decoration, acting as a symbolic representation of the infinite nature of the divine. Similar patterns can be found in mosques and other religious structures across the Islamic world, from Spain to Central Asia. Think of the Alhambra in Granada, where similar geometric designs create a sense of awe and spiritual elevation. The arch form also carries a deep, historical resonance. Echoing through Roman triumphal arches, and Christian church architecture, the arch can be seen as a motif that transcends religious boundaries, signifying transition, passage, and triumph. The image speaks to our collective memory, and the way certain visual symbols persist and evolve, engaging viewers across different cultural contexts on a subconscious level.