Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

So much have been said about the unique design of the PETRONAS Twin Towers. Some likened
the shape of the Twins to corns or bamboo shoots, while some even claimed that from afar they actually look like the top part of a dragon's head! Of course, there are also some who have suggested that the Twins actually have so much resemblance to that of the legendary Mughal's Qutub Minar of Delhi, India. Whatever impression these Twins have created upon those who have seen them with their own eyes, almost all have agreed that they are truly such an inspirational sight and cosmopolitan in its look. But, some may have asked, maybe silently to themselves or maybe to others... whether is there any 'meaning' at all in the design of these great towers?



Well, I'm not an expert to answer such 'heavy-duty' kind of questions, but I would love to share with you here a thing or two
that I came to know about the design. And also a bit part...
just a tiny-itsy-bitsy part... of the general interpretation of the design.


Let me start with the 8 point star of the Islamic arabasque design that forms the basic ground plan of the Twins.



The simple geometric square, the basic of Islamic geometry was the
basis on which the base plate was constructed. The 8 point star
effect or shape was then achieved by overlapping and rotating 2 squares (as the floors go higher).


According to Cessar Pelli(the main architect), he put an effort to respond to the climate, to the dominant Islamic culture(of the country), and the sense of form and patterning that he could perceive in traditional Malaysian building.

It is also interesting to note that the project was indeed the brainchild of the former Prime Minister of the country, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. He was actively engaged in all stages of the design process and the final scheme is well-marked by his personal fingerprints. And the result? An aesthetic design which has a feel of both modern and ancient at the same time! Awesome:)


Now... when it comes to the 'meaning' of the design, well, lets step
back in time. Really, really wayyy back to...errr...2000BC? Why should we do that? Well, because in the mid 17th century some explorers had found ancient seals, jewellery(like the rosette in the picture on the left) and metalwork in the ruins of a very ancient city of Ur. And some of the items found had revealed that the 8 point star pattern and design had already been applied and used in those time! And, it was believed that the Prophet Arbaham had actually lived in this very Sumerian city of Ur.


Let us move forward in time now. Just a little bit though. We are now in the middle-ages. By this time, the 8 point star was already widely used as a symbol in Islamic art. The design is generally referred to as 'Khatim' (especially in north Africa... specifically in Morocco) or 'Khatim Sulayman' (Seal of the Phrophets).


The 'Khatim' is indeed at the heart of many Islamic ornamental patterns. And ornamentation is
particularly important in Islam. The religion discourages representional art(human or animal form), therefore Islamic art grew from the study of geometry and the practice of ornamental decoration, as well as the sciences, literature and development of architecture.


The idea in Islamic faith is to seek to understand Creation, not to worship it, but to honor the Creator through the application of understand. Furthermore, the mental discipline, study and restraint required for constructing complex, precise geometric patterns support
the Islamic belief that humans are the greatest of God's creation!


So, in short, the 8 point star design of the Twins is actually a symbol of early astonomy, interconnectedness and faith in the ultimate harmony of Creation. In this way, it represents the highest virtues in Islamic cultures; learning, community, faith and LOVE of BEAUTY...

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star... see the beauty of the Twin's star!

Wishing all Malaysians a MEANINGFUL MERDEKA!

For Muslim readers, wishing you 'RAMADHAN AL MUBARAK'!