A comparative study in the application of two phrases, «architectural decorations» and «mural» in the Islamic art resources

A comprehensive study in the implication of «architectural decorations» and «mural», reveals that there are some shortcomings in the application of these two phrases, specifically in the Islamic art, that sometimes challenges the content of art in the instances of these works. This study follows a discursive method, based on word stemming, matching the concepts and analysis of examples to show that most of the works in the Islamic art resources that are known as «architectural decorations», are murals that «being decorative «is just one of their objectives roles. In these resources, «architectural decorations» is used mostly instead of «mural», and mural art is narrowed down to some special rare methods, applications, despite its vast wide function applications usage. So inattention to aspect of mural art in such works will indicate its transcendent values the same as decorative art. In this case not only the position of Iranian past mural cannot be seen properly, but also introducing the visual culture of Iran in this regard in the field of visual arts and architecture (art, especially in Iran and the world) meet with some short comings. Therefore considering the following factors opens a new direction, horizon, in terms of concept and application of these phrases: First: Definitions and characteristics that are expected from the concepts of «Mural «and» decoration». Second: the concept of decorations in architecture has several Instances which Design mural is just a small part of that. Third: «Decorative» work has some features that are just seen in some of these Designs. Forth: Most of the Designs that cover the surface of the buildings are actually true examples of Mural art