Islamic Art Studies

Islamic Art Studies

Semiotic Analysis of Color Usage in the Clothing and Textiles of the Boyer-Ahmad Nomads Based on Yuri Lotman's Semiosphere Theory

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Seyede Amene Mansouri Mehryan 1
Arezoo Paydarfard 2
Farzaneh Fakhr 3
1 Graduated with a Master's degree in Islamic Art (Historical Studies Orientation), Faculty of Art, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Arts, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.
3 Instructor, Handicrafts Department, Faculty of Arts, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.
10.22034/ias.2025.513851.2417
Abstract
Clothing and textiles are two important components in the culture of the Boyer-Ahmad nomads. The broad meanings of color in the cultural space of the nomads refer to their beliefs, customs, and societal convictions. Color, as a symbol, possesses immense semantic capacity that informs the audience and produces a semiotic language. The objective of this research is to examine the use of color in the clothing and textile culture of the Boyer-Ahmad nomads based on Yuri Lotman's semiosphere theory. This study is applied research, conducted as descriptive-analytical research utilizing Yuri Lotman's cultural semiotics approach. Information was gathered through library research, fieldwork, and documentation. The statistical population of the research includes the regions of Gorgu, Sardab, Kakan, Vezg, Zangava, and Gardaneh Maleshureh. The results indicate that color in the clothing and textiles of the Boyer-Ahmad nomads, beyond its aesthetic aspect, carries cultural, social, and mystical concepts. Color in these cultural components acts as signs for transmitting the beliefs, rituals, and traditions of the nomads and establishes a connection between the visual culture of this community and the semiotic system of Islamic art.
Research Objectives:


Semiotic analysis of color in the clothing and textiles of the Boyer-Ahmad nomads and its role in expressing cultural concepts.


Examination of color symbolism in Islamic art and its connection with the culture of the Boyer-Ahmad nomads.


Research Questions:


Based on Lotman's cultural semiotics system, what is the function of color in the clothing and textiles of the Boyer-Ahmad nomads, and how is it explained?


Do the frequently used colors in the clothing and textiles of the nomads align with color symbols in Islamic art?
Keywords
Semiotics
Lotman
Boyer-Ahmad Nomads
Clothing
Textiles

Subjects

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