THE DOME OF THE ROCK

The Decoration of The Dome of the Rock and its Interpretation continued /...

In the light of this spiritual reservoir in Christianity and Judaism, from which Early Islam was to draw so much, it is less difficult to interpret the numerous trees and floral motifs as depicted throughout the Dome of the Rock, particularly in the various series of mosaics.

The Apocrypha (Baruch the Greek): ... and as I said, Lord, what is that which Michael the Archangel is holding? And he said to me, This is where the merits of the righteous enter, and such good works as they do, which are escorted before the heavenly G-D.

And as I was conversing with them, behold angels came bearing baskets full of flowers, and they gave them to Michael. And I said to the Lord, who are these, and what are the things bought hither from beside them? And he said unto me, these are the angels (who) are over the righteous, and the Archangels took the baskets, and cast them into the vessel, and the angel said unto me, the flowers are the merits of the righteous.

This categorisation of values is quite similar to that found in the Jewish Aggada, where "Good Deeds" are also referred to in terms of flowers.

Moreover, in the mosaics in various areas of the Dome of the Rock, we can also see depictions of both "baskets' and "vessels".

Most of the baskets, which are less prominent than the other vessels, are to be seen in the intrados of the intermediate octagon.

As for the vessels or vases, they are to be found throughout the monument.

All around the drum of the Dome, there is a rhythmic division of the extremely elaborate floral scrolls, punctuated by tall amphorae studded with precious stones. The traditional interpretation of the amphora with out flowing scrolls associates it with the Tree of Life. In Christian Iconography it is a symbol of renewal ... This symbol, basically a vase with flowers- cannot find a more appropriate depiction than that found in variations throughout the Dome of the Rock. The flowers depicted here are the very "Good Deeds' or "merits" so eloquently depicted in Baruch the Greek.

Another element closely related with the paradisiacal cycle is the repeated association of numerous angels. Thus, in the lost "Apocalypse of Zephaniah", cited by Clement of Alexandria, angels encountered in Paradise are described as having a crown set upon their heads.

We have often noted the profusion of crowns in the mosaics of the Dome of the Rock as well as the winged motifs there. But what now becomes obvious is that the latter represents an abstraction of the angels which played so significant a role in the eschatological scenes quoted above.

Architect's Note : And consistently elsewhere in angelomorphic writings.

The crowns and winged motifs, integral parts of the broader, complex decorative scheme, are in close association with the large vessels, the vases of floral motifs- the Good deeds.

Architect's Note : Tree of Life.

It could be argued that the winged motif depicted in the drum of the Dome of the Rock is actually a schematised interpretation of an angelic figure proper.