Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
SANAT TARIHI DERGISI-JOURNAL OF ART HISTORY, cilt.30, sa.1, ss.149-173, 2021 (ESCI)
In this study the centaur figure which is known as one of the extraordinary hybrid creatures, is subjected to research in Islamic art with its perceived position in a quite different meaning aspect from western mythology and art. Horse-human hybrid centaur is in the form of a horse from the waist down and a man up to the waist. The relationship between sciences of astronomy and astrology and this figure which is named as kanturus in Islamic literature, forms its face reflecting directly to the Islamic painting in the meantime. Although some paintings are also encountered about the figure with this perspective in western art, it is known that remains widely at the forefront with its mythological character in this geography. However it is understood that the kanturus figure is depicted exclusive to representation of zodiac sign (Sagittarius) and constellation (Centaur) in Islamic art. Sagittarius also called the Archer is in the shape of a centaur about the shoot his arrow. Centaur like Sagittarius is represented as half man and half horse. The constellation Centaur also seizes with one hand a wild beast called Lupus by the feet and holds aloft. Besides the other hand of the Centaur holds a bunch of leaves. This constellation is composed of a large number of stars. Some of the stars are on the arrow and the bow and the others on shoulders, legs, feet, knee, hoof or armpit of the centaur. Certain stars are also located in a garment fluttering from his back. On the occasion of this research, some examples in Islamic art from different periods and a variety of works related to the subject are presented and attempted to form a frame for content of this depiction. It is determined that the earliest dated one of the examples was from the beginning of the 8th century and the latest one from the end of 18th century. Among the examples which involve the centaur figure, together with miniatures in manuscripts constitute the majority, examples from stone, metal and ceramic works of art also create a substantial richness. By means of the researched various examples, it is understood that the centaur figure becomes prevalent especially in Seljuk period in Islamic art and geographically the east and southeast of Anatolia and Iran come into prominence. Concerning to the subject another astrological element related with centaur figure is a pseudoplanet called Jawzahar. It is considered that Sagittarius in relation with Jawzahar in the shape of dragon-tail reflect the ascending and descending nodes of the moon. The planet moves to the north is called the ascending node relates to the head of dragon and it moves to the south relates to the tail. In most of the depictions, the Sagittarius associated with a giant serpent or a dragon figure which symbolises Jawzahar referring to the lunar nodes of the moon. Lunar nodes were two opposite point of the moon's orbit and the ecliptic. Representations of Jawzahar appeared usually in the form of the bow-bending centaur shoots at the dragon attached to its tail.