Dreamlike Turkish Blue -- Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey

There is a saying: "Turkey is a country spoiled by blue." It has rivers, lakes and seas scattered all over, with the omnipresent blue of the sky and the sea enveloping the richly colored cities and towns. Perhaps the term "Turkish Blue" originates from this. After setting foot in Turkey, I found that the country is indeed dominated by blue and white. "The sea is blue, the sky is blue, and there is that iconic Blue Mosque. They love using blue and white." "The Blue Mosque was originally named after a library, but since visitors see only blue domes and white walls, it came to be called the 'Blue Mosque.'"

The Blue Mosque was originally built to compete with the Hagia Sophia. Thus, it is no wonder that this majestic building—the largest domed structure in Istanbul—sits directly opposite what was once the world's largest cathedral for a thousand years.

From the rooftop restaurant, gazing at the Sultan Ahmed Mosque—the most important landmark in Istanbul—I was deeply moved by this magnificent masterpiece of Ottoman-era architecture and art. It is a building that combines Byzantine Greek culture with Ottoman Turkish Islamic culture, using architectural techniques of Byzantine Greek culture to express Islamic culture. Without the six minarets around it, it could easily be mistaken for an Eastern Orthodox church. This is also the architectural style of the Eastern Orthodox countries on the Balkan Peninsula, another precious cultural heritage left by the Byzantine Empire.

In the morning light, this huge domed building bears an uncanny resemblance to the neighboring Hagia Sophia. Perhaps it is due to the blue light reflected from the many domes of various sizes, or perhaps from the surrounding minarets... The difference is that the domes around Hagia Sophia were built gradually over different periods for different reasons, yet they form an inexplicable harmony. In contrast, the more than thirty domes of the Blue Mosque rise in layers, converging toward the central dome with a diameter of 41 meters, vast and elegant. Moreover, the Blue Mosque has six minarets, symbolizing the six pillars of Islamic faith, making it the only mosque in the world with six towers.

The Blue Mosque, as a renowned mosque, always attracts the attention of tourists from all over the world. Therefore, the queue of visitors entering the mosque is significantly longer than at other mosques. However, once we entered the hall, we were not awestruck. Where was the promised dreamlike wonder? We couldn't feel it at all~~

It is said that the beauty of the Blue Mosque lies in four aspects. First, the light. The light entering through 260 small windows blends with the yellow, circularly arranged glass lamps, creating a dancing illusion of light, like a virtual space. Second, the Iznik blue tiles. The entire Blue Mosque is decorated with over 20,000 Iznik blue tiles. Third, the carpets. The mosque is covered with carpets that were tributes from Ethiopia. Fourth, Arabic calligraphy. The four massive pillars supporting the central dome are 5 meters in diameter with distinct fluting. The capitals bear blue-background gold-lettered Arabic inscriptions, and the columns are hung with black-background gold-lettered Arabic inscriptions, resembling artistic patterns.

At this moment, the hall of the Blue Mosque had been forcibly added a layer, about four or five meters high, completely blocking the great dome and the huge columns supporting it. Looking from the hall, all one could see was a forest of square stone pillars standing on the thick, soft carpet. Above were rough iron frames, greatly reducing the aesthetic appeal, a far cry from what I had imagined.

We could only search at the edges of the hall for traces of the dreamlike beauty of this four-hundred-year-old building. The walls inside the mosque are entirely decorated with blue and white Iznik tiles. The patterns formed by the blue tiles are mostly floral, with well-proportioned curves, combining geometric designs characterized by the elegance of their shapes and colors. Themes include roses, hyacinths, tulips, irises, and other plants, creating a vibrant, relaxed, and leisurely effect. The soft light streaming in from the dome and windows fills the hall decorated with blue tile patterns with a gentle atmosphere.

Some Muslims sat or stood in corners or beside pillars, bowing their heads in meditation, contemplation, or prayer, reminding us that this uniquely decorated place is still a mosque. Having lost its grandeur and majesty, in this somewhat oppressive space, I wonder whether those fellow believers can achieve the goal of cleansing their souls. Perhaps most worshippers only need a home for their souls; as for where that home ultimately belongs, what does it matter?

Having traveled a long distance to get here, yet failing to truly experience the dreamlike quality of the Blue Mosque, I felt somewhat regretful and helpless. I often lament that more and more ancient buildings have lost their original charm. How presumptuous people are!~~

Fortunately, there is the unchanging exterior, persistently and stubbornly guarding the long history. Its highly representative colors command respect. The Blue Mosque—perhaps it's fine not to go inside. Just sit leaning against its thick outer walls and experience the four hundred years of vicissitudes and changes. That is also a great blessing.