Symbolism and symbolic meaning in architecture

Symbolism, is one of the most important methods by which one can express himself and concretize his thoughts and feelings. Symbol, as the universalized silent conversational language, is a system generally making interpretations to religious, philosophical and aesthetic aspects and reflecting thoughts and feelings. Various elements and design methods have been used to symbolize different elements in different eras and cultures. In this respect, symbols developed with the most frequently used symbols of numbers and geometry elements, contain significant symbolic meanings. Numbers, with the abstract and secret meanings they carry, are one of the best ways of expressing symbolism. Numerology, is the best way of perceiving and comprehending the unity of nature. Numbers, are also the basis of creatures and foundatin of all science. Number symbolism is almost as old as history and the oldest examples are found even in Ancient Egypt and Babylon. According to many philosophers, the creation of the world is based on numbers. Also, in view of several sects, numbers are the mystery of creation of the world and they believe that God has shaped the world using geometry and therefore think forms and shapes are originated from numbers. In this regard, geometry is the other main factor affecting the development of the symbolic view. Geometry, as a design tool, affects all beings including human and nature. All creatures are in the shape of forms which can be evaluated by means of geometry and mathematical rules such as symmetry and similarity rules. Indeed shapes are formed by determining the boundries of areas which themselves are determined by numbers. Apart from numbers and shapes, there are other symbols carrying symbolic meanings which are of vital importance in many religions and cultures due to human's connection with nature since his existance. These symbols include nature, animals and plants. These items have also influenced the symbolic view of people to various art objects and induced the development of it for many years. In the past, nature had a sacred and mysterious essence with all its aspects for human. Today, the importance and value of nature varries in every culture. Sun, trees, sea, forests etc. are the symbols existing in various regions and cultures and their philosophical expression and formalizing, is an important source of inspiration for artists and architects. Human being has used various branches of art to express these symbols in the most clear way and coney his opinions to the people of different cultures for generations and has benefited from the sources around to express himself. The primitive men, tried to show their presence using the pictures they drew on the walls of caves. Although centuries has passed up to the present time, man could develope a range of communication systems by not disconnecting theses symbols and signs. In process of time, these signs were enriched by visualization of objects and turned into symbolic expressions with common meanings in all cultures. This point of view, has developed over the time and is reflected in architecture as well. Architecture is an arena where the architect exhibits his art and uses different symbols to reflect his art and express his opinions. As in other fields of art, number and geometry have been used effectively in symbolic meaning in architecture. These methods are used in hidden or apparent ways in various buildings and have implied specific meanings. Thus, symbols are revealed to play a particularly important role in the design of religious buildings. In religious buildings, either in terms of material or symbolism, it is aimed to establish the connection between man and God. Although the history of using symbolism in art and architecture goes long way back, it has caused the change of this conception over the time. Still the effects and expression of symbolic meaning can be reflected in many art works at present time. This study examines the effect of number and geometry in symbolic sense on architecture which had been often used specially in old times and which provides the basis for symbolism. Also, sources, ways of formation and meanings of these symbols are examined and their effects on different art works are argued. Additionally the importance of these symbols on different architectural movements is studied and finally the effect of these elements on the formation of various buildings is exemplified.