Symbolizing wisdom, the owl motif on the main entrance of Selimiye Mosque bears traces of ancient Turkish art.
Mehmet Ali Esmer, an architect and general manager of the Sinan and Selimiye Mosque Foundation, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that the owl motif can be seen when looking up at the muqarnas on the mosque’s main entrance.
Esmer said the owl symbolized wisdom, vigilance and protection in ancient Turkish architecture, adding that owl motifs can also be found on tombs and carpets in Central Asia.
Explaining that muqarnas, a form of geometric ornamentation in Islamic art, were used in arches and domes to create architectural emphasis, Esmer said, “After serving a functional purpose, they were also given symbolic meanings and some were designed to resemble various animals considered sacred.”
Esmer noted that the owl motif was used in Turkish architecture even before Mimar Sinan.
