Journal of Urban Studies on Space and Place

Analysis of the Spatial Structure of Isfahan's Naqsh-e Jahan Square, a Reading Based on Social Semiotics

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Maryam Karimi 1
Sadreddin Taheri 2

1 MA. Graduated in Art Studies, Faculty of Research Excellence in Art and Entrepreneurship, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Art Studies, Faculty of Research Excellence in Art and Entrepreneurship, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/jspr.2026.2079867.1221
Abstract
Introduction
Semiotic analysis of space, place, and architectural elements is not as common as in literary arts, because unlike the semiotic system of literature, all of whose components are expressive and interpretable, architecture is more closely linked to structural and functional elements. For this reason, we witness a lack of research in the field of semiotic reading of place. In this study, the authors sought to read the spatial structure of the world's role field using Theo van Leeuwen's theories in social semiotics, because how elements are arranged, combined, and put together in a specific space creates different effects. In architecture, predetermined materials and planning are used to create a place and construct a specific space. However, all these needs include the priorities and thoughts of the creators and clients, which will determine the reading of observers and users. Research of this kind guides us in recognizing and using elements that are rooted in rereading the narrative and the process of formation and continuation of the historical movement of the spaces and places being observed.
Methodology
The following article is a qualitative research with a social semiotic approach, the data of which were collected in a documentary (by referring to previous texts) and field (by direct observation and interpretation of the visual structure by the authors). The case study of this research is the Naqsh-e Jahan field in Isfahan, which, in addition to its importance and historical and artistic background, has special semiotic values that require a specific theoretical framework such as social semiotics to understand them more fully.
Social semiotics originated from Halliday's semiotics and functional linguistics. Functional linguistics creates meaning or role in a practical context. Just as linguistics has changed from grammar to discourse, including the text and context of that text, social semiotics has changed from "sign" to "method of using semiotic resources" in order to create communicative events and interpret them in the context of a specific social situation and actions.
Social semiotics is a combination of different dimensions that uses many texts to create meaning, to analyze the process of creating meaning behind complex interactions. That is why it focuses on how semiotic resources are used by people and social institutions, etc.
Discussion and result
The symbolization of a space through the performance of ceremonies and gatherings increases its value in the eyes of the people. The functions of these spaces are to facilitate the creation of civil order, a place for power with a questioning of the role of political tendencies, and a place for symbolic and social performance and performance. The spatial characterization of public places is as effective in the orientation and perception of people as it is in the environmental qualities
Naqsh-e-Jahan Square was the largest square in the world in the 11th century AH, which is symmetrical to the 17th century AD. The most important parts of this square from the point of view of semiotic values are as follows:
Ali-Qapu Building: This building consists of a wide arch that is seen in the center of a solid foundation projecting towards the square.
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque: This building has distinctive features compared to other mosques, including the lack of a minaret, spire, courtyard, and courtyard.
Qaysariyeh Gate: In the northern part of the square, the Qeysariyeh gate was the predetermined entrance to the square, there is a magnificent two-story-high arch on both sides of two buildings, with halls on the upper floor.
Conclusion
The following can be included among the semiotic values of the spatial structure of Naqsh-e Jahan Square: separation (through barriers and walls), reduction (to separate people from the royal sections), balance (with visual elements such as color, pattern, line, etc.), rhythm (with the help of repeating forms to create rhythm), prominence (by directing the viewer's gaze towards the indicative elements as an anchor and reference point in visual perception), scale and size (with expanse, volume, and elevation to refer to the power and territory of the Safavid government), details (with the help of aligned elements, tall columns, the overhang of the palace porch, etc.), placement (by utilizing the values of spatial and conceptual relationships to represent a city at the center of the world and a square at the center of the city), contradiction (between broken and smooth lines), and contrast (between cold and warm colors).


.

Keywords

Social Semiotics, Spatial values, Spatial structure, Urban Space, Isfahan&‌‌‌rsquo
s Naqsh-e Jahan Square
Subjects
1.      Bastani Parizi, M. E. (1969). Politics and Economy of the Safavid Era, Tehran: n.p.[in Persian]
2.      Bigdeli, A. (2004). The Evolution and Formation of National Identity in Iran, in National Identity in Iran, Davood Mirmohammadi. Tehran: Iranian Civilization. [in Persian]
3.      Blake, Stephen P. (2009). The Social Architecture of Safavid Isfahan. Translated by Mohammad Ahmadi-Nejad. Isfahan: Khak. [in Persian]
4.      Canter, D. (2013). The Psychology of Place. Translated by Maryam Amiri Khah. Tehran: Nashr-e Faza.[in Persian]
5.      Chardin, J. (1983). Chardin’s Travelogue (Isfahan Section), translated by Hossein Arizi, with an introduction by Ali Dehbashi. Tehran: Negah, 2nd Ed.[in Persian]
6.      Chardin, J. (1995). Chardin’s Travelogue, 4, translated by Eqbal Yaghmaei, Tehran: Tous Publications.[in Persian]
7.      Chardin, J. (2000). Chardin’s Travelogue, Isfahan Section. Translated by Hossein Arizi, edited by Morteza Teymouri. Isfahan: Golha. [in Persian]
8.      Della Valle, P. (2001). The Travels of Pietro Della Valle, 1(6) Letter. Translated by Mahmoud Behfrozi. Tehran: Qatreh.[in Persian]
9.      Duerk, D. (2014). Architectural Programming: Information Management for Design. Translated by Dana P. Duerk. Tehran: University of Tehran Press, 3rd Ed. [in Persian]
10.  Falahat, M. S. & Shahidi, S. (2015). The Role of Mass-Space Concept in Explaining Place. [in Persian]
11.  Flamaki, M. M. (2011). Revitalization of Historic Buildings and Cities, 9th ed., Tehran: University of Tehran Press.[in Persian]
12.  Ghafouri, A. & Sattari Sarbanqoli, H. (2022). Semiotics of Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan Based on Umberto Eco’s Perspective. 2nd International Conference on Architecture, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Environment, and Horizons of Islamic Art. Tabriz: Tabriz Islamic Art University. [in Persian]
13.  Haeri, A. (1982). An Introduction to the Historical Background of Pan-Islamist Movements, Journal of the Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Mashhad University, Issues 1 & 2. [in Persian]
14.  Hashemi Zarj Abadi, H. & Zaraei, A. (2005). Historical Interactions between Iran and India in the Safavid Era, in Iran in the Safavid Historical Sphere, Abbas Afrazi, Tabriz: Sotoudeh. [in Persian]
15.  Hintz, W. (1967). Formation of the National State in Iran, translated by Keykavous Jahandari, Tehran: n.p. [in Persian]
16.  Honarfar, L. (1971). Treasures of Isfahan’s Historical Monuments. Isfahan: Saqafi. [in Persian]
17.  Hosseinian, H., Hosseini, J. al-Din. & Alborzi, F. (2023). Investigating the Impact of Form Structure on Understanding the Geometric Pattern of Naqsh-e Jahan Square and Its Surrounding Buildings from the Perspective of Formalist Scholars. Islamic Architecture Research, 11 .[in Persian]
18.  Javari, M., Riahi, M. H. & Ghasemi Sichani, M. (2013). Isfahan, a City Founded on a Lagoon. Isfahan: Cultural-Recreational Organization of Isfahan Municipality. [in Persian]
19.  Karimi, N., Dadvar, A. (2020). Analysis of Architectural Elements of Imam Mosque of Isfahan Based on Umberto Eco’s Semiotics Theory. Journal of Islamic Arts, 17(39) pp. 336–352. [in Persian]
20.  Kolaei, El. (2004). The Evolution of National Identity in Iran, Ali Akbar Alikhani. Tehran: ACECR Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Bagh- e- Nazar, 12(35), 27-37. [in Persian]
21.  Mehdizadeh, Sh., Anbarin, Z. (2009). Examining the Relationship between the Level and Type of Use and Cultural Identity of Youth. Quarterly of Cultural Studies and Communication, 17, pp. 5–6. [in Persian]
22.  Minorsky, V. (1943). Tazkirat al-Muluk. England: Cambridge. [in Persian]
23.  Minorsky, V. (1955). Tazkirat al-Muluk: The Administrative Organization of the Safavid Government, with annotations by Minorsky, translated by Masoud Rajabnia, Tehran. [in Persian]
24.  Mirahmadi, M. (1990). Religion and State in the Safavid Era, Tehran: Amir Kabir.[in Persian]
25.  Nazif, H., Matlabi, G. (2019). Presenting a Conceptual Model of Legibility Based on Mental Perception. Bagh-e Nazar, 16(78), 71–78. [in Persian]
26.  Olearius. (1984). Olearius Travelogue, Ahmad Behpour. Tehran: Ebtekar Publishing and Cultural Organization. [in Persian]
27.  Parsadoost, M. (2002). Shah Ismail Safavi: A King with Lasting Impacts on Iran and Iranians, 2nd ed., Tehran: Sherkat Sahami-ye Entešar. [in Persian]
28.  Pascal Coste. (2011). Monuments of Islamic Iran (from the Beginning to 1899), translated by Atousa Mehrtash. Tehran: Moasseseh Talif. [in Persian]
29.  Rafiei Mehrabadi, A. (1973). National Works of Iran. Tehran: National Heritage Society Publications. [in Persian]
30.  Refat Jah, M. (2005). Identity and the Feminine. Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, Faculty of Social Sciences. [in Persian]
31.  Bern, R. (1970). Provincial Administration in the Safavid Period, translated by Keykavous Jahandari, Tehran: Translation and Publication Organization.[in Persian]
32.  Sajoudi, F. (2009). Theory and Practice (Collection of Articles). Tehran: Elm. [in Persian]
33.  Sansone. (1967). Sansone’s Travelogue: The State of Iran during the Reign of Shah Suleiman, Taqi Tafazoli. Tehran.[in Persian]
34.  Seyed Emami, K. (2004). The Role of Persian Language and Literature in the Formation of National Identity, in National Identity in Iran, Davood Mirmohammadi. Tehran: Iranian Civilization. [in Persian]
35.  Shafiei, E., Jabal Ameli, A. (2019). Naqsh-e Jahan Square as a Symbol of the Isfahan School of Architecture and Urbanism. Tehran: 6th National Congress on Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Urban Development. [in Persian]
36.  Shahabi Nejad, A. (2019). The Formation Process of Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan. Scientific Quarterly of the Faculty of Architecture and Art, University of Kashan. [in Persian]
37.  Shokri, Y. (1971). Alam Ara-ye Safavi (Alam Ara-ye Shah Ismail), Tehran. [in Persian]
38.  Taheri, A. (1975). Political and Social History of Iran from the Death of Timur to the Death of Shah Abbas, Tehran. [in Persian]
39.  Turkman, Eskandar Beg (Monshi). (1956). Alam Ara-ye Abbasi, Iraj Afshar, 2, Tehran. [in Persian]
40.  Vahidbafandeh, M., Mirgholami, M. (2022). Comparative Study of Italian and Iranian City Squares as Spatial-Physical Manifestations of Political, Social, and Religious Structures. Spatial Research Quarterly, Year 7, Issue 4. [in Persian]
41.  Zarrinkoub, Abdolhossein. (1995). the Days of Iran, 1. Tehran: Donya-ye Sokhan. [in Persian]
42.  Image Archive of Golestan Palace Album House, Tehran. [in Persian]
43.  Arenguren, J.L. (1967). Human Communication, Translated from Spanish by Partridge, Frances: London.1909: Weidenfeld & Nicholson.
44.  Jorgensen, B., & Stedman, R. (2001). Sense of place as an attachment: Lakeshore owner’s attitudes toward their properties. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 21, 233– 248 doi:10/1006/ jevp2001.2026
45.  Landau, B. & Dessalegn, B. & Cohen-Goldberg, A. (2009). Language and Space: Momentary Interactions.
46.  Abbasi N, Valibeig N. (2023)Retrieving the Hidden Geometric Secret in the design of the Naghsh-e- Jahan Square based on Congruent Rotated Squares. IJAUP; 33 (1).URL: http://ijaup.iust.ac.ir/article-1-524-en.html.
47.  Armajany, Y. (1972). Iran. The Modern Nations in Historical Perspective, New Jersey: Prentice hall Inc.
48.  Arnheim, R. (1974). Art and Visual Perception, Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press.
49.  Barati, N. (1997). Language and the Organization of the Built Environment, Environments, Canada.25.
50.  Blunt, W. (1953). Pietro’s Pilgrimage, London.
51.  Eysenck, M.W., et.al. (1994). Cognitive Psychology: A Student’s hand book, London: Lawrence Erlbaum.
52.  Finke, R.A. Word, T. B. & Smith, S.M. (1992). Creative cognitive: Theory Research and application, Cambridge: MIT press.
53.  Fried, Morton H. (1967) .The evolution of political society. New York, Random House.
54.  Goheen, P.G. (1998). Public space and the geography of the modern city. Progress in Human Geography, 22(4), 479-496.
55.  Hadge, R. & Kress, G. (1988). Social semiotics, Cambridge: Polity Press.
56.  Halliday, M. A. K. (1995). On Language in Relation to the Evolution of Human Consciousness. Of Thoughts and Words, London: Arnold.
57.  Halliday, M.A.K. (1978). Language as Social Semiotic, London: Arnold.
58.  Hillier, B. and Hanson, J. (1984). The Social Logic of Space, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
59.  Mahboobi, G.Mokhtabadi, M., Etesam, I. & Attarabbasi, M. (2018). Symbiosis of inside and outside in Architecture of the Naqsh-e Jahan Squre. The Montely Scientific Jornal of Bagh-e Nazar, 15(58), 51-64.
60.  Nas, P.J.M. (2012). City full of Symbols, a theory of urban space and culter. https://web2.mlp.cz/koweb/00/04/36/32/76/cities_full_of_symbols.pdf
61.  Schut, M. & et al. (2008).Urban ambiance, meaning and emotion: The symbolic spectrum of Colombo, Sri Lanka. ANTHROPOLOGICAL NOTEBOOKS, 14(3): 67-89.
62.  Colombijin, N. (1993). The power of symbols in the urban arena: the case of Padang (West Sumatra), In Nas Peter J.M. Urban symbolism. Netherlands: E.J.Brill.
63.  Krase, j, J. & Shortell, T. (2011). On the Spatial Semiotics of Vernacular Landscapes in Global Cities. Visual Communication. 10. 367-400. 10.1177/1470357211408821
64.  Jewitt, Carey and Oyama, R. (2001). Visual Meaning: A Social Semiotic Approach. In Van Leeuwen, Theo and Jewitt, Carey, Handbook of visual analysis.
65.  Lefebvre, H. (1991). The Production of Space. (D. Nicholson-Smith, Trans.). Cambridge, MA: Blackwell.
66.  Levelt, W. (1966). Perspective taking and Ellipisis and Descriptions, in Bloom, p.et.al.
67.  Levi-Strauss, C. (1968). Structural Anthropology, Middlesex: Penguin.
68.  Madanipoure, A. (2006). Roles and challenges of urban design.Journal of Urban Design, 11(2), 173-193.
69.  Ahmadi, F., A. Asadpour, S. Pouryoosef Zadeh and R. Azari Najafabadi (2011). Restoration Strategies of Naghsh-e-Jahan Square to Achieve Social Sustainability Based on Users Visions. Elixir Online Journal.39
70.  Alizadeh, M. & Vale, Clara. (2022). Dynamic Symmetry, Harmony, and Balance in Naqsh-E-Jahan Square of Ispahan. Symmetry Art and Science | 12th SIS-Symmetry Congress. 104-112. 10.24840/1447-607X/2022/12-12-104.
71.  Barkhordari, B., Zare, L. and Mokhtabad, S. M. (2021). Study on the Role of Social Identity in Creation of a Public Space (Case study: Naghsh-e-Jahan Square in Isfahan as a Public Space of the Safavid Era). Manzar, the Scientific Journal of landscape, 13(56), 30-43. Doi: 10.22034/manzar.2021.265457.2108.
72.  Neal, Z. (2009). Locating Public Space. In A.M. Orum & Z, Neal. (Eds.), Common ground? Readings and reflections on public space.London: Routledge.
73.  Neisser, U. (1976). Cognition and Reality: Principles and Implications of Cognitive Psychology. New York: WH Freeman and Company.
74.  O'Keefe, J. (1996) .The Spatial Prepositions in English, Vector Grammar and the Cognitive Map Theory. In: Bloom, P and Peterson, MA and Nadel, L and Garrett, MF, (eds.) Language and Space. (pp. 277-316). The MIT Press: Cambridge, MA, USA.
75.  Pojani, D., & Maci, G. (2015). The determents and benefits of the fall of planning, the evolution of public space in a Balkan post-socialist capital. Journal of Urban Desisn, 20(2), 251-272.
76.  Thomas, D. & Cross, J. (2007). Organizations as Place Builders. Journal of Behavioral and Applied Management. 9. 10.21818/001c.16778.
77.  Trancik, R. (1986). Finding Lost Space, New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co.
78.  Van Leeuwen, T. (2005). Introducing Social Semiotics. London.
79.  Vaziri, M. (1993). Iran’s as Imagined Nation, The Construction National Identity, New York: Pragon House
80.  Welch, A. (1973). Shah Abbas and the Arts of Isfahan, the Asia Society Inc.
81.  Wilber, D. (1958).Iran Past and Present. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.

  • Receive Date 14 December 2025
  • Revise Date 05 May 2026
  • Accept Date 22 July 2026

Home

Submit Manuscript

Contact Us