A Comparative Study on the Function of Allegory in Expression of Meaning with an Emphasis on Iranian Architecture

Every phenomenon in the world has multiple levels of meaning, from shape or external appearance, to semantic, moral or spiritual features. Recognizing and understanding these levels depends on peoples’ ideology. In the design discipline, buildings have also levels of meaning, since architectural forms indicate shapes and express meanings in various levels. Accordingly it is an important point for designers to gain an understanding of different ways to express meanings. Allegory is one the different ways to express meanings in disciplines such as literature and art. This article aims to explain the role of allegory and its applications in architecture. Thereupon allegories' characteristics in different fields were reviewed to fill the theoretical and epistemological gap of its applications in architecture by means of a comparative study. It is useful to create meaningful architectural forms and understand the hidden meanings in the existing buildings. This research, is a comparative study of the application of allegory in literature, art and architecture which is done in descriptive, analytical method and has a qualitative approach. This study attempts to answer the main question ’how is the role and application of the allegory’? Results indicate that allegory, as one of the most important expressing ways, plays an important role in the reception and perception of meaning at its various levels. It occurs by making deep mental concepts, more tangible and objective. In art and architecture with the use of allegory, intellectual and mental images of concepts are created in the mind of the audience by the use of objective images. These images make long lasting effect in mind. The results also show that the most important allegories used in Iranian architecture, show the unity and express the monotheism, as the highest level of truth and meaning, by using of different physical and functional forms.