Araştırma Makalesi

Mapping the Sacred: The Mosaic Meanders in the Narthexes of the Chora Church / Kariye Cami in İstanbul

Sayı: 18 11 Kasım 2025
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Mapping the Sacred: The Mosaic Meanders in the Narthexes of the Chora Church / Kariye Cami in İstanbul

Öz

Meanders and swastikas, often interpreted as medieval metaphors for the journey of earthly life, form an intricate narrative within the Chora Church (Kariye Cami) mosaics. These visual labyrinths, with their interwoven geometries, serve as symbolic pathways, suggesting both the trials of earthly life and the divine guidance leading toward salvation. This study focuses on the significant role of the swastika motif within the Chora Church’s mosaic program, exploring its layered symbolism. A detailed analysis of its strategic placement within the labyrinthine compositions, particularly in the mosaics above the Deesis and in the exonarthex vault, reveals its role as a spiritual guide. Furthermore, this article examines the gamma-shaped meander patterns, particularly those above the Infancy Cycle, highlighting their stylistic features and contribution to the overall narrative. By considering the mosaic technique, including the use of opus vermiculatum, gold tesserae, and vibrant colour palettes, the study demonstrates how Theodore Metochites’ appreciation for artistic craftsmanship enhances the spiritual impact of these intricate designs, offering a unique perspective on Late Byzantine visual art.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Kaynakça

  1. Bibliography – Kaynaklar
  2. Artress 2006 L. Artress, Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Practice, Gambier.
  3. Assimakopoulou-Atzaka 2003 P. Assimakopoulou-Atzaka, Ψηφιδωτά δάπεδα. Προσέγγιση στην τέχνη του αρχαίου ψηφιδωτού: Έξι κείμενα, Thessaloniki.
  4. Averincev 2004 S. S. Averincev, Poetika Rannevizantiyskoy Literatury, SbP.
  5. Backman 1952 E. Louis Backman, Religious Dances in the Christian Church and in Popular Medicine, London.
  6. Baldwin 1916 A. Baldwin, Symbolism in Greek Coins, New York.
  7. Barry 2011 F. Barry, Painting in Stone: The Symbolism of Colored Marbles in the Visual Arts and Literature from Antiquity until the Enlightenment, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Columbia University, Columbia.
  8. Basilios 1991 Basilios (Archbishop), “Signs of the Cross”, A. S. Atiya (ed.), The Coptic Encyclopedia II, New York, 658.

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

Arkeoloji Bilimi

Bölüm

Araştırma Makalesi

Yayımlanma Tarihi

11 Kasım 2025

Gönderilme Tarihi

18 Ağustos 2024

Kabul Tarihi

18 Eylül 2025

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2025 Sayı: 18

Kaynak Göster

APA
Ciric, J. (2025). Mapping the Sacred: The Mosaic Meanders in the Narthexes of the Chora Church / Kariye Cami in İstanbul. Journal of Mosaic Research, 18, 97-114. https://doi.org/10.26658/jmr.1813931
AMA
1.Ciric J. Mapping the Sacred: The Mosaic Meanders in the Narthexes of the Chora Church / Kariye Cami in İstanbul. Journal of Mosaic Research. 2025;(18):97-114. doi:10.26658/jmr.1813931
Chicago
Ciric, Jasmina. 2025. “Mapping the Sacred: The Mosaic Meanders in the Narthexes of the Chora Church / Kariye Cami in İstanbul”. Journal of Mosaic Research, sy 18: 97-114. https://doi.org/10.26658/jmr.1813931.
EndNote
Ciric J (01 Kasım 2025) Mapping the Sacred: The Mosaic Meanders in the Narthexes of the Chora Church / Kariye Cami in İstanbul. Journal of Mosaic Research 18 97–114.
IEEE
[1]J. Ciric, “Mapping the Sacred: The Mosaic Meanders in the Narthexes of the Chora Church / Kariye Cami in İstanbul”, Journal of Mosaic Research, sy 18, ss. 97–114, Kas. 2025, doi: 10.26658/jmr.1813931.
ISNAD
Ciric, Jasmina. “Mapping the Sacred: The Mosaic Meanders in the Narthexes of the Chora Church / Kariye Cami in İstanbul”. Journal of Mosaic Research. 18 (01 Kasım 2025): 97-114. https://doi.org/10.26658/jmr.1813931.
JAMA
1.Ciric J. Mapping the Sacred: The Mosaic Meanders in the Narthexes of the Chora Church / Kariye Cami in İstanbul. Journal of Mosaic Research. 2025;:97–114.
MLA
Ciric, Jasmina. “Mapping the Sacred: The Mosaic Meanders in the Narthexes of the Chora Church / Kariye Cami in İstanbul”. Journal of Mosaic Research, sy 18, Kasım 2025, ss. 97-114, doi:10.26658/jmr.1813931.
Vancouver
1.Jasmina Ciric. Mapping the Sacred: The Mosaic Meanders in the Narthexes of the Chora Church / Kariye Cami in İstanbul. Journal of Mosaic Research. 01 Kasım 2025;(18):97-114. doi:10.26658/jmr.1813931