VISUAL ELEMENTS IN THE ILLUMINATED HEADERS: Analyzing the Manichaean Manuscript fragment MIK III 4970 c recto & verso

In codicological literature, the headers function as paratexts. It previews the reader’s first encounter with the literary work. A work’s header significantly affects how the audience understands its meaning and concept. In Manichaean manuscript fragments, it is important to consider the role of the header in conveying the concept and setting of the general framework of the work. In particular, headers embellish Manichaean fragments with visual criteria and aesthetic effects. The significance of these embellished headers, characterized by calligraphy, depends on how the elements and visual qualities are recognized. Together, they form the visual alphabet and are fundamental factors in creating Manichaean manuscripts. This article examines and compares the visual elements of the illuminated header on the recto and verso of the fragment MIK III 4970 c. It focuses on specific elements, such as point, line, and color. The outcomes of this research reveal that the header, acting as a Paratext, creates an unbreakable connection with the text, transcending the Manichaean artist’s demonstration of workmanship. The primary visual component of the element builder is the point. Considering this, the Manichaean manuscript header, which emphasizes linguistic, aesthetic, and content elements, can be seen as a coherent structure in the codicology of Manichaean manuscript fragments.