An Analysis of the Inscriptions in Dar Al-Fonūn

Abstract

In the porches, doorways, and transoms of the classrooms in the historical school of Dar Al-Fonūn, the holy Quran’s ĀYĀT, poems, and mottos from the Iranian elders have been written on 27 tile inscriptions. The present article investigates the application, concepts, themes, and siting quality of these tiles. The evaluations are expressive of the existence of order and meaning in these inscriptions: 1) there are only two ĀYĀT from the holy Quran above the entry porch in the northeast and southwest of the building, i.e. towards the Qibla; 2) above the porches, entry porches, northeastern porch, and southwestern porch, the application of verses and ĀYĀT is witnessed and they all emphasize on the value of the knowledge; and 3) in the doorways in the beginning and ending parts of both the eastern and western edges as well as in the transom of every classroom in the northern, western and eastern edges, expression, a hemistich or a verse from a famous Iranian person with educational themes has been inscribed on tiles. As it is known, education includes setting the ground and providing the factors for actualizing and blossoming human talents in the favored direction. Education is a term referring to the teaching of special subjects and skills to students of schools and universities such as the instruction of math, physics, chemistry, and Arabic; education also points to teaching religious and ethical matters and fostering the students in such a way that they can become great humans. Thus, as observed, education and upbringing are the focal points of the inscriptions in Dar Al-Fonūn School.