Unveiling the Legacy of the Hayat Ağacı from the Seljuks and Ottomans to Southeast Asia

Abstract

This study explores the identity characteristics of the Hayat Ağacı (Tree of Life) motif in the decorative arts of the Seljuks, Ottomans, and Southeast Asia. Through field-based research and observational methods, it examines the consistent presence of this motif in minbar carvings across various cultural and historical contexts. The findings reveal a shared conceptual approach among minbar carvers despite differences in cultural and temporal contexts. Furthermore, the study documents the distinctive stylized variations of the Hayat Ağacı, emphasizing its role as a unifying symbol within Islamic heritage art across the Islamic world.