An Iconological Analysis of the Martyr Kharrazi Memorial in Isfahan

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 department of Art, Hazrat-e Ma’soumeh University, Qom

2 , University of Sistan and bluchestan, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Assistant Professor

Abstract

Objective: Martyrs’ memorials symbolize the values and ideals of martyrs, as well as their role in contemporary culture and society. They also embody the profound cultural and historical meanings embedded in Iranian civilization. The reproduction of these meanings in contemporary art reflects the intellectual and conceptual engagement of artists. Despite the significance of such monuments, the underlying conceptual frameworks informing their design have received limited scholarly attention. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the meaning of the Martyr Kharrazi Memorial in Isfahan.
Methods: This study adopted a descriptive-analytical approach and was conducted as a case study. The research process was carried out along two main axes: (1) observation and analysis of the memorial’s design method, and (2) interpretation of the symbolic meanings of its visual elements through documentary and library-based research. The process of data interpretation and analysis was performed within the framework of iconology to achieve a multilayered understanding of the visual meanings embedded in the monument.
Results: The findings are presented in two sections. First, the analysis of the memorial’s design demonstrated that the juxtaposition of visual elements articulates the concepts of eternity and the continuity of values through the monument’s formal composition and design. Second, the analysis of the symbolic meanings of the visual elements indicated that sunlight, the octagonal shape, and the element of water signify the birth of Mithra and the rising sun at the mythological level. From the perspective of Islamic religious teachings, the manifestation of light is interpreted as an expression of the Divine Essence and as a symbol of the martyr’s spiritual connection with God.
Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that the harmonious integration of the visual elements in the Martyr Kharrazi Memorial regenerates a multilayered semantic structure. On the one hand, it evokes mythological symbols associated with birth and the sunrise; on the other hand, it embodies Islamic religious interpretations in which light signifies the martyr’s affiliation with and proximity to the Sacred Divine Essence. These representations demonstrated that, through the employment of symbolic forms, memorials creatively and intellectually reflect the urban identity and the cultural-historical meanings of Iran within the context of contemporary art.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Resistance Literature
Volume 18, Issue 34
July 2026
Pages 81-102

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