Grid Method Classificationof Islamic Geometric Patterns

Ahmad M. Aljamali and Ebad Banissi

Visualisation and Graphics Research UnitDepartment of Computing, Information Systems & MathematicsSouth Bank University.London.

aljamali@yahoo.com banisse@vax.sbu.ac.uk

ABSTRACT

This paper proposes a rational classification of Islamic Geometric Patterns (IGP) based on the Minimum Numberof Grids (MNG) and Lowest Geometric Shape (LGS) used in the construction of the symmetric elements. Theexisting classification of repeating patterns by their symmetric groups is in many cases not appropriate orprudent [Joy97]. The symmetry group theories do not relate to the way of thinking of the artisans involved, andcompletely has ignored the attributes of the unit pattern and has focused exclusively on arrangement formats.The paper considers the current symmetric group theories only as arrangement patterns and not as classificationsof IGP since they have a “global approach” and have failed to explore the possibilities in the constructionelements of IGP. The Star, a central Rosette, which is the most important element of IGP, forms the core of ourstudy. The paper proposes new nomenclature to be used in the description of the unit pattern based on the MNGand LGS used in the construction of a Star/Rosette pattern that can be used to achieve the final design. Wedescribe and demonstrate procedures for constructing Star/Rosette unit patterns based on our proposedclassification in a grid formation dictated by the final design of the unit pattern.

Keywords :-

IGP, MNG, LGS, Grid, Classification, Group Theory, Star/Rosette.

1. INTRODUCTION

Islamic artisans began to adorn the surfaces of palaces, mosques and minarets with IGPs more thanthousand years ago [Sai76]. The geometric designsconsistently filled the surface planes with star-shapedlike regions that resulted in very highly visualsymmetric patterns, which would henceforth bereferred to as “Islamic Geometric Patterns”. Thesegeometric patterns have often presented a long-standing historic awe to group theorists who haveendeavoured to present a prudent classification of these structures. Many attempts that have been madeto classify the Star/Rosette patterns have resulted in awide variety of construction groups andclassifications. Grunbaum and Shephard tried todecompose these geometric patterns by theirsymmetry groups after obtaining the base region,which they had used to arrive at the properties of theoriginal pattern [Gru92]. European group theoristslike Dewdney have proposed a classification based onreflecting lines off to periodically placed circles[Dew93]. Lee has presented simple constructions forthe common features of IGPs but has failed to presenta benchmark classification theorem [Lee95]. Alsoone important aspect of IGPs that has failed to attractany kind of classification is the naïve extension of lines into interstitial regions. We have had a goodlook into the existing complexity to the inferredgeometry in order to describe the relation of theextension region with the unit pattern. S.J. Abbas andA. Salman in their landmark thesis on

A Symmetriesof Islamic Geometrical Patterns

were of a firmopinion that no worthwhile classification of IGPs hasbeen taken up to this day with specific focus on theirconstruction [Abb95]. This paper presents anargument that popular and existing symmetry groupslike the “7-frieze groups” and the “17-wallpapergroups” are purely base models. A more finer andrefined classification based on the study of theconstruction of the unit pattern is required withspecific focus on the gridding system of the unitpattern. The accomplishment of the unit pattern bythe MNG, LGS and the infinite number of possibilities this classification presents by way of permutations and combinations of the grids are huge.

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2. SYMMETRY

Symmetry means a balance, a repetition of parts orsimple uniformity of form. Symmetry simply meanspattern. But the range of symmetry is far more thansimply appealing architecture and pretty patterns.However, mathematically symmetry can be simplydefined in terms of invariance of properties of setsunder transformation [Abb92]. Group theory showsthat in a single dimension symmetric period patterncan be analysed into seven different types andprovides the information needed to identify aparticular symmetry type [Abb95]. Also, in a twodimension symmetric period pattern, seventeendifferent types of patterns can be generated andidentified. The Single dimensional symmetricpattern is referred to as “7-frieze groups” and thedouble dimensional symmetric pattern is referred asthe “17-wallpaper groups”. This paper presents avisual input into the powerful notions of pattern andsymmetry in IGPs by analysing the construction of the individual element of the symmetric patterns.The Following sections describe existing andconventional symmetric group theories to endorseour view that they are merely arrangement patternsrather than classification theories of geometricpatterns let alone IGPs.

3. THE 7-FRIEZE GROUPS

Isometric groups that keep a given straight lineinvariant including translations along the line arecalled frieze groups. Isometric may be defined as alinear transformation of the plane or space thatpreserve distances between points. To illustrate the 7-frieze groups argument (see figure 1) we present theattributes of each frieze group by Andrew Glassner[Gla99] who has done some very inspiring researchinto many related topics like frieze groups, moirépatterns, mirror reflection and a periodic tiling. Hehas demonstrated the value of creating physicalmodels that enabled us to stretch our visualizationskills and also our perception of the subject matter. Itshould be very important to note that in a verydefinitive sense that the frieze group theoriesmisdirect classification of IGPs. Mathematiciansfind it very convenient and useful to interpretregularity of a pattern in terms of its group of symmetry. In this way the results of algebra andother mathematical disciplines can be applied to thestudy of such patterns. However, it could be arguedthat this is not the concept of regularity that artisanshad in mind as they were creating their art. In fact,until a century or so ago, even to mathematician’sregularity of mathematical objects had a completelydifferent meaning. The difference between the twoapproaches is to a large degree the contrast of theglobal and local points of view. Mathematiciansused to define regularity of objects such as Platonicpolyhedral by requirements of congruent faces, equalangles, and other local properties, now it iscustomary to define regularity by the transitivity of the symmetry group on the set of flags. In the sameway, it seems likely that the artisans meant to creategeometric patterns in which part is related to itsimmediate neighbours in some specific way and notby attempting to obtain global symmetries of theinfinitely extended design.

Figure 1. The 7-frieze groups by Andrew Glassner [Gal99]

Translation

Horizontal ReflectionVertical Reflection

Corner RotationTranslation and Centre Rotation Horizontal Reflection and Translation Vertical Reflection and Centre Rotation

4. THE 17-WALLPAPER GROUPS

It has been established that 17 distinct groups of two-dimensional patterns that are periodic in twoindependent directions exist. These 17 patterns arealso popularly referred to as the 17-wallpaper groups.However, the essential nomenclature that has beenassigned to the 17-wallpaper groups may be given byXah Lee [Lee98] (see figure 2). David E. Joyce[Joy97] from Clark University in his Internet site onthe 17 plane symmetry groups regarded symmetrygroups as classification of planar patterns. He wroteas “the various planar patterns can be classified bythe transformation groups that leave them invariant.A mathematical analysis of these groups shows thatthere are exactly different plane symmetry groups”.Now, it is very clear from the above illustrations thatthe frieze and the wallpaper group’s theories presentarrangement benchmarks, which enable us todetermine the type of format pattern arrangementrather than classify the unit pattern. Also we canconclude that a viable and arguable approach has notbeen taken up with a holistic view to classify IGPswith specific focus on their

construction

5. GRID METHOD CLASSIFICATION

The objective of this paper is to propose a newclassification based on the construction of the unitpattern of IGP as it has been proved that existinggroup theories do not serve this purpose.Usually any given IGP is named on the basis of itsgiven geometric shape. For example, illustrations byIssam El-Said [Sai93] the pattern could be classifiedas a hexagonal pattern simply because it containshexagonal star or could be classified as an octagonalpattern because it contains octagonal star, etc. (seefigure 3). But this could be misleading, because theStar/Rosette the most popular element of most of theIGP may be accomplished by a combination of several geometric shapes like circles, triangles,squares, quadrilaterals and hexagons etc., where aStar/Rosette unit patterns could be normalised andclassified according to its basic design. Therefore,instead of looking at these images as a hexagonal oroctagonal like unit patterns, we would like to classifythese images based on the construction andnormalization of the gridding of the Stars/Rosette.And look at the important attributes and properties of a given Star/Rosette. In our method, any givenStar/Rosette can be deciphered or de-constructed bynormalising it. This normalisation process would beachieved by identifying individual grids that make upthe Star/Rosette. Once grid elements are separatedthe basic geometric shape that can be used to achievethe n-gon Star/Rosette would be identified. Theprocess of dissection of a star according to us couldbe taken up in the following stages: