Investigation of symbolic motifs in the mirror works of Qajarid houses in historical city of Yazd

The architecture is always indicated the identification and culture of people who have constructed them. In this regard, Islamic architecture, has used from various designs and themes in the ornamentation of various buildings, especially in the inner part, has a particular meaning. In some of the forms, in addition to their beauty and decoration aspects, have a particular language and meaning that could be considered as a symbol. The historical context of Yazd city with the area of 750 hectares, includes various buildings from various periods, that the houses which are dated to the Qajar period have special significance. Between them 12 houses have the mirror work decoration with different designs. In this article has been used for the mirror work symbolic motifs research, and with a descriptive and analytical, historical approach, the follow questions have been raised: 1-which symbolic motifs have been used in the mirror work of Yazd houses? 2- what is the meaning, and original of theses symbolic motifs? The results show that decoration motifs include: plant forms, animal forms, geometric forms and calligraphy, that each of them have symbolic meaning. Most of the motifs that had a special meaning before the Islam, could keep the same symbolic meaning, or have been continued with a little change after Islam like Peacock and Hoopoe. Although some of the motifs have not been present before the Islam, but because of their significance and emphasize on them in the Islamic culture, have influenced the Persian literature and also the applied arts. So two sources could be considered as a symbolic origin of many motifs in the mirror works of Yazd city. The culture of pre Islamic period of Iran and the culture of Islamic period.So two sources could be considered as a symbolic origin of many motifs in the mirror works of Yazd city. The culture of pre Islamic period of Iran and the culture of Islamic period