Travel theme: Circles is this week’s theme in “Where’s my backpack?”
A circle is a reflection of eternity. It has no beginning and it has no end.
Circles are a two-dimensional concept. Many of the things we see, however, are three-dimensional – a dome, a sphere, a ball etc but intelligent people like Einstein can even visualize the fourth dimension. Einstein once said the following to help people visualize the fourth dimension – Take a point, stretch it into a line, curl it into a circle, twist it into a sphere, and punch through the space .. .
I was fascinated by the many circles inside the Blue Mosque, Turkey. Entering the Blue Mosque in Istanbul I was surrounded by an array of circles. Built in the 17th century, it has one of the world’s largest dome of 27.5 meters diameter, in addition to four smaller domes and 30 even smaller domes.
The huge dome hover above me, with suspended chandeliers that follow their shape only a few meters from the ground. The endless lamps, hanging on their endless chains and hovering in great circles above my head, are miracles in their own right.
After seeing all these domes, arches, circle of lights in the Blue Mosque, I must admit I still do not have the faintest idea of what Einstein meant by the fourth dimension. I only knew that I have stepped back in time. . . . . I have been thrown into a space where circles and light predominate and was awed by them.
A beautiful building indeed. 🙂
Thank you John!
Wow! Turkey is in our bucket list. Thank you as always, for such beautiful view of beauties you capture with your lens! Fae.
Hi Fae, I am glad that you include Turkey into your bucket list. Thank you for the kind comment!
wow what a beautiful mosque! I’m used to seeing the insides of churches in Rome…this is new to my eyes. lovely.
Thank you A Gracious Life!
Einstein and his 4 th dimension… still above my head by 10 000 ft … loved this post, thank you…
Thank you bulldogsturf!
Very nice.
Thank you!
What a spectacular place and a great way to render its beauty and majesty! Great job!
Thank you sph3re!
Hi Michael, Another great post of another of my favourite places. The Blue Mosque is a wonder to behold and deserves to be one of the great places in the world to visit. I love your description of how you felt in there.
Cheers, Chris Gregory, NZ
Hi Chris, in the Blue Mosques, I was impressed by the vast column free space, the domes and the lights. I think it is a must see. Thanks for the kind comment! Michael
Interesting theory but incomprehensible great photos
Hi pommepal, think I should have included more explanation on each of the photos. Thanks for the kind comment! Michael
Within your photos….it feels so grand and beautiful.
Thank you mistymidnite!
What a beautiful place and such fascinating facts. Thanks for sharing.
Glad that you like the post. Thank you!
Michael, you have used your photos to great effect to convey the wonder of this building.
Hi Margaret, thanks for the comment. For the benefit of those who have not visited the place, I think I should have included a bit more explanation on each of the photos. Regards, Michael
Your photos brought back lots of memories!
They have certainly captured the grandeur and emotion of the building . I shared your feeling of ‘going back in time’ once inside I felt totally removed from the real world. Judi http://www.facebook.com/NotJustAPaintingHoliday
Glad that the photos have brought back fond memories and thanks for the comment! Michael
Love your photos and we loved this building when we visited too – the domes and tiling were awesome. Thanks for liking my blog.
I quite like the architecture of this mosque. Will stop by your blog again. Regards, Michael
You should also put up pictures of Gaudi’s designed Sagrada Familia Church in Barcelona for all to share
Hi Kong, I have lost all my photos taken in Spain! Thanks for the comment, Michael
Wow it’s like being in another world inside! I love ceilings that can make me awe like that… Gorgeous photos.
Thank you evilnymphstuff!
What a beautiful place. Turkey has popped into our minds recently for an adventure. This post helps!
Hi, Turkey is quite unique; certainly deserves a visit!
Michael … what a stunning mosque – like all the shades of blue and all the lights.
Great job again.
Thank you very much Viveka!
Thank you – I have learnt something new by your post & its beautiful.
I also learn a lot from fellow bloggers. Thanks for your kind comment!
Thanks for posting such awesome pictures… I also enjoyed finding Einstein’s quote on yur text. By the way, thanks for checking on my posts and sending the feedback, I appreciate it!
You are welcome jennroig!
Beautifully written and photographed.
Thank you Becky!
I’m not a religious individual but I do appreciated that churches, thru the ages have been the guardians of art, history and often the family records in many communities. With the exception of royalty, churches likely were the only ones with the means to build these marvels thru the ages and then continue their upkeep. It’s a beautiful piece of architecture you’ve chosen for today, thanks again for sharing with us.
Hi, I was also amazed at the number of people they can acomodate in this vast coloumn free space. It is indeed a very beautiful piece of architecture. Thanks for the comment! Michael
wow these ceilings are majestic!
Thank you KZ!
Absolutely beautiful. A must see.
I agree, it is a must see!
I may not be as clever as Einstein, but in my math class, I was taught circle: {z : |z|=1} or {(x,y): x^2 + y^2 =r}, then sphere: {(x,y,z): x2 + y2 + z2 = r2}. And to extend it to your four dimensional dome: {(x,y,z,w): x2 + y2 + z2+ w2 = r2}! You’re welcome!
Hi haohaodangdang, your equations reminded me what I learnt in co-ordinate geometry; I think the fourth dimension is in fact time! Michael
yeah, but with time, you cannot add, because Einstein tells us we should minus (or multiply by speed of light first then square then minus). so in the Minkowski geometry the reality with space and time (spheriod?) is {(x,y,z,t): x^2 + y^2 + z^2 – (ct)^2 = 1}. I hope I am not confusing you. I am trying very hard not to go there.
This is getting a bit complicated for me. Thanks for the response. Regards, Michael
That first photo is stellar!
I love Istanbul, the Blue Mosque sure is fascinating, with its Christian and Islamic art, and now… the circles too! 🙂
Hi Sanjana, like many photo challenges, the Circles theme is just something which allowed me bringing out the beauty of the mosque. Thanks for the comment! Michael
Hi Michael – I want to take a moment to say hi and tell you how excited I am to read more about your life and thoughts. Thank you for being an inspiration to me as I embark on a similar journey…enjoy your day!
Hi, I am glad to meet you. I am also inspired by many blogging friends. Wish you enjoy your journey too!
This first image is beautiful.
Thank you , Dr_IQ 🙂