Understanding the Meaning of Triangular Shape in Mosque Architecture in Indonesia

  • Authors

    • J. Jamaludin
    • Purnama Salura
    2018-09-27
    https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i4.7.27359
  • triangular shape, mosque architecture, meaning
  • This paper discuss the formal and symbolical meaning of triangular shape of contemporary mosque architecture in Indonesia, with case study the mosques designed by Ridwan Kamil in Jakarta and in rest area Km 88 toll road between Jakarta and Bandung. There was a question in the public whether the triangular shape was adequate to be used as a mosque building. This paper propose answers with the analitical descriptive to understand the symbolical meaning of triangle shape used Sundanese community culture, one of  Indonesian ethnics as representation. The paper used comparation and interpretation method to reveals the meaning of triangle shape in local culture and to find the connection to triangle shape in contemporary mosques architecture. The vernacular mosques in Indonesia known with their pyramid shape stacked roof with pointed roof in the peak. The pointed roof derived from the mountain that believed as the sacred place and used as symbol in the form of stacked roof of mosque. The finding of this paper is that triangular form can be accepted as mosque architectural form for the symbolical meaning derived from Sundanese culture. In the two mosques, this triangle shape enlarged and become praying room and as bridge to the God realm. The shape then achieved two purpose, as symbol of holy place and also fullfiled the function of praying room.

     

     


     


  • References

    1. [1] Kendra Weisbin, “Introduction to mosque architecture,†https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-islam/beginners-guide-islamic-art/a/introduction-to-mosque-architecture, accesed August 7, 2018

      [2] Sakinah Ummy Hany, “Masjid Darussalam, oase di tengah kebisingan Jakartaâ€, https://www.rappler.com/indonesia/136617-masjid-jamie-darussalam-ridwan-kamil Juni 16, 2006, retrieved April 20, 2018.

      [3] Kumparan, (2018) “Masjid Segitiga Tanah Abang, Karya Emil yang Pernah Ditolak Warga,†https://kumparan.com/@kumparannews/masjid-segitiga-tanah-abang-karya-emil-yang-pernah-ditolak-warga, retrieved 25 August, 2018.

      [4] Sigit Bowo, “Desain Futuristik, Masjid Al-Safar Rest Area 88 Cipularang Jadi Favorit Pengendara†https://bimasislam.kemenag.go.id/post/berita/desain-futuristik-masjid-al-safar-rest-area-88-cipularang-jadi-favorit-pengendara October 2017, retrieved 15 August 2018.

      [5] Jon Lang, “Symbolic Aesthetic in Architecture, toward a research agendaâ€, in Environment Aesthetics: Theory, Research, and Application, ed. by Nasar, Jack L. Nasar, Cambridge University Press, (1992)

      [6] Salura, P. (2018). The philosophy of architectural ordering principles. International Journal of Engineering and Technology(UAE), 7(2).

      [7] Sari Kujala,Piaa Nurkka, Sentence Completion for Evaluating Symbolic Meaning. International Journal of Design, Vol. 6 No.3, 2012, 15-25. Retrieved 20 March, 2018.

      [8] Salura, P. (2018). The philosophy of architectural ordering principles. International Journal of Engineering and Technology(UAE), 7(2).

      [9] Gyorgy Kepes, Sign, Image and Symbol, (London: Studio Vista, 1966).

      [10] Robert Stecker, “Interpretation, in Routledge Companion to Aesthetics†, ed. by Berys Gaut, and Dominic McIver Lopes, London: Routledge, (2001)

      [11] Mary Stewat, Launching the imagination: a comprehensive guide to basic design, New Yok: The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc, 2006

      [12] Eric Weisstein, “Isosceles Triangle,†http://mathworld.wolfram.com/IsoscelesTriangle.html, 2018, retrieved August 15, 2018.

      [13] Chad Randl, A Frame, New Jersey: Princeton Architectural Press, 2004.

      [14] Hugh O’Neill, “South-East Asiaâ€, in The Mosque History Architectural Development and Regional Diversity, ed. by M. Frishman and Hasan-Uddin Khan, London: Thames and Hudson, 1994, pp.224-240.

      [15] Bambang Setia Budi, “A Study on History of Development of Javanese Mosque Architecture, Part 1: A Review on Theories on the Origin of Javanese Mosque †Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering 3 (1), 2004, 189-195, retrived 15 August 2018. https://doi.org/10.3130/jaabe.3.189

      [16] A. Bahaudin , T.E. Darmayanti, “The Cultural and Architectural Heritage of The Banten Great Mosque†in Islamic Heritage Architecture, ed. by C.A. Brebbia and A. Martinez Boquera, WIT Press, Southampton, UK. (2017)

      [17] Robert Wessing, “Telling the Landscape, Place and Meaning in Sunda,†procceding International Conference of Sundanese Culture, ed. By Ajip Rosidi, Ekadjati, Edi S. Ekadjati., A. Chaedar Alwasilah, Bandung: Yayasan Kebudayaan Rancage, (2006) p. 450-474

      [18] Moh. Ali Fadillah, (2006): “Pengultusan Orang Suci pada Masyarakat Sunda: Sebuah Kontinuitas Unsur Budayaâ€, procceding International Conference of Sundanese Culture , ed. by Ajip Rosidi, Ekadjati, Edi S. Ekadjati., A. Chaedar Alwasilah, (Bandung: Yayasan Kebudayaan Rancage),p. 419-432.

      [19] Claire Holt, Art in Indonesia: Continuities and Change, (New York: Cornell University Press, 1967).

      [20] Adrian Snodgrass, The Symbolism of the Stupa, Studies on Southeast Asia, (New York: Cornell University, 1985).

      [21] Jamaludin, “The Aesthetic of Sundanese Traditional Design, case study: Rice Container designâ€, Journal of Visual Art and Design, ITB, vol 4. No 1, 2013, 35-41.

      [22] Edi S. Ekadjati, Kebudayaan Sunda (Suatu Tinjauan Sejarah), Jakarta: Pustaka Jaya, 1995).

      [23] Interview December 1, 2009.

      [24] Noël Carrol, “Formalismâ€, in Routledge Companion to Aesthetic, , ed. by Berys Gaut, and Dominic McIver Lopes, (New York: Routledge, 2001), p. 87-96.

  • Downloads

  • How to Cite

    Jamaludin, J., & Salura, P. (2018). Understanding the Meaning of Triangular Shape in Mosque Architecture in Indonesia. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7(4.7), 458-462. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i4.7.27359