The Geometric Rosette : analysis of an Islamic decorative motif

1. Among the many different star-like motifs used in the geometrical art of Islam, there is one which stands out as distinctively "Islamic" (see fig. 1). We shall call this motif a geometric rosette, since it resembles a flower or rosette, with an outer ring formed by a variable number of "petals" encircling a central star. One possible interpretation of the formal, if not historical, origin of the geometric rosette allows us to develop a consistent, geometrical analysis of both the isolated motif itself and its use in a variety of repeating patterns. This interpretation is based on authentic examples of geometric patterns throughout Islam, although not every authentic pattern conforms to our particular notion of how an Islamic pattern should be constructed.