The Influence of Mystical Ideas on the Architectural Decorations of Ilkhanid Period Buildings (Case Study of Varamin Grand Mosque)

During different historical eras, political, social and religious developments have appeared in the best way in art and architecture in such a way that the architectural works of each era show the dominant beliefs and thoughts of that society; Ilkhani society has also been dominated by mystical and Sufism ideas. In this period, mystical teachings were spread in all parts of society, especially architecture and architectural decorations; So that these influences are evident in most of the buildings of this period. The subject of this article is to investigate the influence of mystical ideas on the architectural decorations of the Ilkhanid period and the decorations of Varamin Jame Mosque, as one of the important buildings of this period. In other words, this research examines the manifestation of mysticism in the architectural works and decorations of the Ilkhanid period. The research method of the article is the review and interpretive-historical analyzes of texts and architectural works of the Ilkhanid period. From the findings of the research, this hypothesis is proposed that Sufism and mystical thoughts have influenced the government and patriarchal architects and these influences are visible in the architectural decorations of the buildings of this period, especially in the decorations of mosques. All three types of decorations (geometric, plant and inscription) have been used in Varamin Grand Mosque, and these designs are mainly geometric or inscription. However, there are plant motifs in the building, although few. These inscriptions have religious or historical themes that historical inscriptions are used for how and when they started. Also, the symbolic concepts of numbers and shapes are abundantly used in the geometric designs, which have the largest amount of decorations and are used in a very effective style, which refer to mystical themes.