The relationship between the indigenous and biological features of the two-humped camel with its motifs in Iranian works of art

Panjehbashi, Elaheh; Najibi, Negar; Mohammadzadeh, Rana

doi:10.22054/qjik.2026.82653.1439

The relationship between the indigenous and biological features of the two-humped camel with its motifs in Iranian works of art

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Elaheh Panjehbashi ¹

Negar Najibi ²

Rana Mohammadzadeh ³

¹ associate alzahra

² Doctoral student of Art Research, School of Art, Al-Zahra University (S), Tehran, Iran

³ PhD student in Comparative and Analytical History of Islamic Art, Faculty of Theoretical Sciences and Advanced Studies in Art, University of Art, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22054/qjik.2026.82653.1439

Abstract

The presence of this role of two-hoofed camel in works with symbolic meanings is a continuation of remembering its physical characteristics and the suitability of its living characteristics with environments where less quadrupeds can continue to live without problems. The main purpose of this article is to analyze the role of two-humped camel in Iranian artworks as a symbol of vitality compatible with the environment. The statistical population includes the motif of two humped camel motifs in 6 examples of works from different periods in Iran. This research aims to answer this question: How are the characteristics of the body structure and the climatic conditions of the Dukohan camel represented in Iranian artworks and to what extent are they simulated? The collection of materials has been done in the library method and with a historical approach, in a descriptive-analytical way. The results show that although the main role of the double-humped camel in the works has not been recreated with completely similar characteristics, the existence of few similarities have reflected the most important symbolic meanings of camels, i.e. adaptation to the environment.

Keywords

Iranian art

biome

camels

design

pattern

Subjects