Islamic Geometric Patterns

Jay Bonner is a specialist in the design of Islamic geometric patterns. Some 25 years ago
he rediscovered the lost techniques used by traditional Muslim pattern designers. These
techniques provide the means to recreate even the most complex patterns used by Islamic
cultures of the past, as well as to create original Islamic geometric patterns that are
wholly in keeping with this great tradition.

Jay Bonner’s research in this field has lead to his writing a book on this fascinating
subject: Islamic Geometric Patterns: Their Historical Development and Traditional
Methods of Derivation. This book is both an historical study, as well as a comprehensive
exposition of the traditional methods used in the creation of these complex designs, with
over 240 detailed illustrations. The manuscript is currently with a publisher.

Jay Bonner has taught workshops and given lectures on the traditional methods employed
in creating these patterns.

The following Islamic geometric patterns are all original creations by Jay Bonner, but all
fall easily within the design parameters of this historic ornamental tradition.

Click on the image to see a larger version

5-Fold Self-Similar Pattern

This was designed in the 15th century Moroccan self-similar style for
application to cut-tile mosaic (zillij).

Original design by Jay Bonner, 1999.

Pattern with 11 and 13 pointed stars

This pattern uses an elongated hexagon as a repeat unit, and is equally the
product of 11 and 13-fold symmetry.

Original design by Jay Bonner, 2000.

Pattern with 9 and 11 pointed stars

This pattern uses an elongated hexagon as a repeat unit, and is equally the
product of 9 and 11-fold symmetry.

Original design by Jay Bonner, 2000.

7-Fold Pattern with 5 and 7 pointed stars
This pattern uses an elongated hexagon as a repeat unit.

Original design by Jay Bonner, 1995.

7-Fold Pattern with 14 pointed stars

This pattern uses a rhombus as a repeat unit.

Original design by Jay Bonner, 1981.

Pattern with 10 and 12 pointed stars

This pattern uses a rectangle as a repeat unit, and is equally the product of
10 and 12-fold symmetry.

Original design by Jay Bonner, 1999.

3-Fold Pattern with 10 and 12 pointed stars

This pattern uses a triangular repeat unit.

Original design by Jay Bonner, 1997.

4-Fold Pattern with 9, 10 and 12 pointed stars

This pattern uses a square repeat unit.

Original design by Jay Bonner, 1990.

4-Fold Pattern with 6, 7, 8 and 12 pointed stars

This pattern uses a square repeat unit.

Original design by Jay Bonner, 1991.

5-Fold Pattern with 10 and 20 pointed stars

This pattern repeats on a rectangular grid.

Original design by Jay Bonner, 2000.

3-Fold Pattern with 12 and 15 pointed stars

This pattern repeats on an hexagonal grid.

Original design by Jay Bonner, 1982.

3-Fold Pattern with 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 pointed stars

This pattern repeats on an hexagonal grid.

Original design by Jay Bonner, 1989.

Hybrid Pattern with 5, 7, and 12 pointed stars

This pattern uses both squares and triangles as repetitive units.

Original design by Jay Bonner, 2000.

5-Fold Self-Similar field pattern

This self-similar design is in the Persian widened line technique.

Original design by Jay Bonner, 2001.

Detail of the above

4-Fold Three-Level Self-Similar pattern

This design was created to demonstrate the fractal potential of Islamic

geometric patterns. In the 15th century, Muslim designers in both Persia
and Morocco refined their repertoire to include the sophisticated tradition
of self-similar, dual-level geometric patterns. The primary characteristic
of these patterns is a direct self-similar relationship between both levels,
and these examples may well be the earliest examples of true complex
self-similar art ever created. While not expressed historically, this self-
similar relationship can extend beyond just two levels, to three, four, five,
etc. The example pictured here reduces from level-to-level by a factor of
20.7114%.

Original design by Jay Bonner, as part of an enamel mural being made in

collaboration with Pat Musick for the University of Colorado, 2001. This
design was also used as an Eid Mubarak greeting card by Ken
Livingstone, the Mayor of London.
5-Fold Aperiodic pattern

This is a 5-fold aperiodic Islamic geometric pattern. This design applies

traditional Islamic 5-fold pattern construction, with its attendant 10-
pointed stars, to the principles of Penrose Tiling.

Original design by Jay Bonner, 2002.