Symmetry with the Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal
Dating to centuries ago, one of the most famous and amazing Indian monument still preserved to this date is the Taj Mahal. Made of ivory white marble, it is a mausoleum, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It attracts thousands of visitor’s everyday and is the most popular monument of India. But what makes it so popular? The beauty. And how is it beautiful? Because of its unique architecture.
The architecture of Taj Mahal
The architect of Taj Mahal, Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, was the head architect in the court of the Emperor Shah Jahan. He carefully designed every feature of this master piece to be symmetrical. From the dome, to the minarets, to the chattris, everything in this monument follows the mathematics of symmetry.
Symmetry is basically that if an object, shape etc. are divided into two equal halves, the both sides have no difference in any field such as colour, texture, size etc. and are basically mirror images of each other.
If you draw a line passing through the middle of the Taj Mahal, both sides can be seen to symmetrical.
In fact, what’s more interesting is that if we see the reflection of the Taj Mahal in the pool made in front of it, the reflection and the Taj Mahal and the image formed in the water is also astonishingly symmetrical.
What adds more to this symmetry is that the mosque and the guest house, built on either sides of the of the Taj Mahal are placed on equal distance and built in the same design. The symmetry doesn’t stop here. The garden, designed in square patterns and the huge gateway are also symmetrical.
In all, this splendid monument not only brings out the culture of India, but also spreads the messages of love, grief, sorrow and mourning. It portrays the beauty of the emotion sadness, and in my opinion, the true beauty of the Taj Mahal is the message it gives. The Taj Mahal has survived all these years, and will continue to be a legacy for hundreds of years to come.
