Abstract
THE USAGE (EB) (b) IDEOGRAM IN ARCHITECTURE AND EXAMPLE OF BEYŞEHİR EŞREFOĞLU MOSQUE
Eşrefoğlu Mosque, largely accepted that has been built in 1299, is one of the best examples of reflecting cultural continuity. There are some motifs in the dome of Eşrefoğlu Mosque shown as a geometrical motif at first look, although they have their own expression in scrutiny. However researchers express these motifs as "arrowhead", "baklava", "star with arm" etc.; the similarity between these motifs and letter (b) "eb / be", which has used firstly by Turks from Köktürk alphabet letters, is remarkable. “eb / be” letter is accepted ideogram as (q) “wq / qw”, (Y) “ya / ay” etc. letters which are based on being portrayed. As "arrow", "bow", "bayonet" objects' match with "k", "y", "s" letters in alphabet by being symbolised; word "eb" means “house" is also matches with "b" letter.
Before becoming a letter, during the process of its use as an "ideogram" or a "stamp", its use, especially in religious architecture, gives us a clue in terms of which object, idea or concept of "eb" ideogram verbalises.
Keywords
“eb” (b) ideogram, Eşrefoğlu Mosque, Turkish culture, alphabet, motif.