What is arabesque? Definition and meaning of the word "arabesque"

Quite often people have a question: what is arabesque? It would be easy enough to explain if there was only one definition. But this is not so. Under the same word lies different concepts from different areas. Of course, the main definition is related to the pattern. But what is it still? Let's consider.

Ornament

In order to understand the traditions of a people, one must know its cultural heritage. One of the most ancient traditions of man is the adornment with all kinds of images of housing, household items, and his body. A widely used form of ancient art is ornamentation. It is inseparable from the object on which it is located.

Each beautiful ornament contains a certain motive, which consists of one or several elements. Thus, in the Arab countries, its special calligraphic type, which consists of fragments of text and letters, has been widely developed. It arose with the advent of writing.

Arabesque is an ornament that appeared in the Middle Ages in those territories of the East where Islam is widespread. There, these patterns adorned absolutely all surfaces: from the walls to the arches of mosques. Also they were placed on jewelry, dishes, carpets. And after the conquest of the East, arabesque came to Europe. The most famous masters used this one in their masterpieces.

Features of the pattern

Works of art that are created by Arab masters are distinguished by a special spirituality, a subtle sense of sublime and beautiful, expressiveness. Arabian patterns are unique and original, despite the diversity. What is arabesques in Islam? These are ornaments that do not contain images of living beings.

They have geometric forms, staggering their gracefulness and plunging a person into dreams and aspirations to learn life's secrets. They amaze with their simplicity, they reveal the inner world of the master. In addition, the composition of the ornament included plant elements. This leaves, and buds, and stems, which, interwoven, create a continuous pattern. A distinctive feature of art in Islam was the fear of emptiness, so the ornament covered the entire surface, and there was no room for the background.

Eastern arabesque as the art of geometry

Because of the ban on the image of living creatures, the wizard turned to geometry. Thus, arabesque is an ornament that consists of elements that are repeated and intertwined. They can diverge in different directions. Patterns are characterized by a clear rhythm, which is verified with high accuracy. This is the real embodiment of mathematical science in art. Each individual element was a complete and complete pattern. The next one was very beautifully intertwined with the previous one. Ornamentation could end at any time, and its integrity did not suffer at the same time.

Despite the accuracy, this pattern can not be boring. The mathematical approach did not completely deprive the arabesque of artistic value.

Arabesque and its meditative properties

This ornament is fascinating and rhythmic. When contemplating the repeating elements, it is very easy to drown in the ocean of interwoven patterns. That is why arabesques can be called a wonderful meditative instrument. It is especially capable of dispelling attention, forcing thereby to forget about the external vanity and plunge into the inner world. That is why, in many mosques, arabesque was part of the decoration. Her meditative function helped focus on prayer and forget about other things.

The term in ballet

But the named word denotes only an element of fine art. What is arabesque in ballet? It can be considered one of the main postures in modern classical dance. This is a very important element of choreography, which occurs not only in ballet, but also in belly dancing. Classical arabesques are divided into four main types.

Allongee

This is the first and the main pose, which is also called ouverte. The main role here is played by spin. To properly perform this element, you must stand on one leg, and the second, elongated and straight, raise back to such a height that the angle is 90 degrees. That hand, which is opposite to the raised leg, is pulled forward, and the other is diverted to the side. Brushes at this time should be elongated and directed palms down. Thus, it seems that they rely on air.

Second position

The legs and body are in exactly the same position as in the first variant. The only difference is that the arm that corresponds to the elongated leg extends forward. The other leg is pulled back so that it can be seen behind the body, and the head is turned towards the viewer.

Third and fourth positions

The next element must be performed face to the viewer. The body leans forward and stretches out in the back. The arm and leg that stretch correspond to each other. The second leg is set aside. The face is turned towards the outstretched arm. The fourth position means turning the body half-turned to the viewer's back. The legs are in the position of the third position, and the elongated hand is opposite to the raised leg. The body turns with a strong bend in the back.

It must be said that the masters of dance perform arabesques very beautifully and gracefully. This is a real aesthetics of ballet art.

The term in music

There is another area where this word is used. Arabesque in music is such a genre of instrumental play. For the first time this term was used in the musical sphere by R. Schumann, who named his play for piano this way. It was in the form of a rondo, and in the rhythms there were contrasting sections. Since then, the term "arabesque" has been used many times by composers to define small piano pieces that have a graceful, patterned texture. A melodious drawing of them is richly ornamented.

The term is in vogue

In clothing, oriental motifs have long possessed the hearts of lovers of unusual clothes. After all, an interesting ornament, bright colors always attract attention. What is an arabesque print? This is a drawing on clothing, which refers to the oriental and represents plant, animal and geometric patterns. Sometimes Arabic calligraphy is used. All this is endlessly intertwined and repeated, replacing the entire background.

Very often it is possible to trace the symmetry and rhythm in the pattern. It should be clarified that in some European countries arabesque is called a pattern, which consists solely of plant elements. But in a broad sense, this term refers to all ornate, intricate patterns that have an oriental motif. It can look like an infinitely repeating fragment. This is a feature of the pattern. It is united into one and it is impossible to find a beginning or an end.

Figures can be both contrasting, and multicolored, and also monophonic. A different fabric texture can be used, which only adds to the intricacy of the pattern.

Results

So what is arabesque? The definition, as you see, has many meanings. It must be said that these days the ornament is very popular. It can be seen on carpets, wallpaper and in the works of artisans. Inspired arabesque and jewelers, and fashion designers, and interior designers. And the appearance of such areas as dudling is connected with the eastern ornament. So, what is arabesque? It is an ornament that has become an integral part of world art.