The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem Essay

Exclusively available on Available only on IvyPanda® Made by Human No AI

Jerusalem is a city in Israel that has great significance for three of the major religions currently practiced in the world – Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. While there is much of history connected to this urban municipality that resonates with people, another part of its appeal is how stunning the architecture is. Jerusalem has a total of four quarters, each dedicated to one of the major religions with Christianity separated into the general and Armenian branches (Chernofsky, 2014). The Islam neighborhood has the largest area and with its more representative mosque being the Dome of the Rock. This paper aims to describe this Islamic shrine of worship and analyze its cultural significance.

The Appearance of the Dome of Rock

This place of worship has a base in the form of an octagon, which is relatively common for mosques. The raised platform is the foundation for straight walls leading to the golden dome, which is mentioned in the shrine’s name and is considered the central element of the structure. The use of this material is typical for religious architecture as it represents divinity and holiness. Additionally, the golden hues of the dome reflect the sunlight, which gives creates a vibrant atmosphere around this place of worship. The walls of the shrine are decorated in small colorful tiles, which is a staple element in Islamic architecture. However, unlike the adornment on other mosques, “the Dome’s mosaics exclude any representations of human or animal forms, instead featuring Arabic script and vegetal patterns” (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2020, para. 3). These depictions, combined with the blue hues of the tiles and the shining dome, make this place of worship a stunning piece of architecture that deserves the marvel it elicits.

The Cultural Significance of the Dome of the Rock

The Dome of the Rock was built in the 7th century on the highest point in Jerusalem, and its location holds great significance to both Islam and Christianity. Apart from the elevated height, the chosen site includes the rock that is mentioned in the mosque’s name. This foundation stone is considered the peak of Mount Moriah, which is “the intersection of the underworld and upper world” (McIntosh, 2019, para. 4). According to different religious texts, this rock holds great significance for several reasons. First of all, it is believed that Muhammad ascended to heaven in this location, which is why the rock is considered sacred in Islam. Second of all, the Bible states several religious figures, including Adam and King David, made sacrifices on this stone which explains its significance for Christians. Overall, the Dome of the Rock is an excellent representation of Jerusalem as a whole. Like the city where it is located, this shrine brings together several major religions with the significance it holds for them.

Conclusion

The Dome of the Rock is one of the most recognized places of worship in the world. Located in a city that brings together several major religions together, this mosque stuns with its beauty that is achieved by its grandiose golden dome and its intricate mosaics. However, its true value lies with its placement atop the peak of Mount Moriah, which is mentioned is several religious texts. This rock holds great significance for both Islam and Christianity, making the Dome of the Rock one of the most symbolic monuments in the world.

References

Chernofsky, E. (2014). BBC. Web.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2020). . Britannica. Web.

McIntosh, M. A. (Ed.) (2019). . Brewiminate. Web.

More related papers Related Essay Examples
Cite This paper
You're welcome to use this sample in your assignment. Be sure to cite it correctly

Reference

IvyPanda. (2022, February 19). The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-dome-of-the-rock-in-jerusalem/

Work Cited

"The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem." IvyPanda, 19 Feb. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/the-dome-of-the-rock-in-jerusalem/.

References

IvyPanda. (2022) 'The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem'. 19 February.

References

IvyPanda. 2022. "The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem." February 19, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-dome-of-the-rock-in-jerusalem/.

1. IvyPanda. "The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem." February 19, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-dome-of-the-rock-in-jerusalem/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem." February 19, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-dome-of-the-rock-in-jerusalem/.

If, for any reason, you believe that this content should not be published on our website, please request its removal.
Updated:
This academic paper example has been carefully picked, checked and refined by our editorial team.
No AI was involved: only quilified experts contributed.
You are free to use it for the following purposes:
  • To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
  • As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
  • As a template for you assignment
1 / 1