#NationalTileDay

[harvardfineartslib]

In honor of National Tile Day, we want to show you forbidden symmetries in tile patterns.

Here are photograph of tile panels from Ulugh Beg Madrasa in Uzbekistan. Peter Lu has been researching on medieval Islamic architecture for more than a decade. He comes from a scientific background as a physicist who became interested in forbidden symmetries in Islamic architecture, i.e., five-fold and ten-fold symmetries.

What does that mean? Lu explains as follows; “If I want to tile a floor with just one shape, I can ask: what are the symmetries that are possible? In the case of an ordinary bathroom floor, I might tile it with squares. Just like a checkerboard, I can cover the entire floor, at any size, with one square tile, and leave no gaps. Now, I can ask: what symmetry would such a pattern have? I can rotate the entire pattern 90-degrees, and get the same thing, since that is the symmetry of the square. Because I can do so four times before getting back to the original position, we call that “four-fold symmetry”. Now, I can also tile the floor with rectangles, which would give a two-fold symmetry; triangles, giving 3-fold; and hexagons, which gives a six-fold symmetry, as you know from looking at a honeycomb. But you can’t use a single pentagon to tile a floor, so the five-fold symmetry is forbidden for repeating a single unit, something that was understood by Johannes Kepler in the 1600s. It turns out that you can use two special shapes to tile a floor with five-fold symmetry, which was first worked out by a mathematician and physicist named Roger Penrose, but not until the 1970s.”

Now you know what forbidden symmetries are!

Tile panels and frames, side wall at entrance, Ulugh Beg Madrasa HOLLIS number: olvwork740233

Detail of interior tile panel, Ulugh Beg Madrasa HOLLIS number: olvwork740236 Both works by Peter Lu Repository: Harvard Fine Arts Library, Digital Images & Slides Collection

This image is part of FAL’s Digital Images and Slides Collection (DISC), a collection of images digitized from secondary sources for use in teaching and learning. FAL does not own the original artworks represented in this collection, but you can find more information at HOLLIS Images.

[rabbitcruiser]

National Tile Day

National Tile Day is on February 23, and we are supercharged to enjoy the aesthetic pleasure of the superb craftsmanship and creativity of the tile industry. Did you know that tiles have existed for thousands of years? Yes, mostly ceramic, mosaic, and stone tiles, and they have evolved into the many varieties so many of us crave today.

History of National Tile Day

Tiles are timeless elements of architectural endeavors and design. Seeing them on the walls, floors, and roofs provides aesthetic pleasure, and they have become inseparable from architecture and designs in all spheres, both domestic and public.

More than that, tiles can be used for flooring all through the house. Kitchens, bathroom, toilet, sitting room; every room in the house can have tiles on the floor to provide a strong, durable, and beautiful flooring. There are many types of tiles, from ceramic, porcelain, and glass to marble, granite, and other natural stone tiles, and many others.

The use of tiles in history began in ancient Egypt several millennia back, and they were used for decorative purposes. They were mostly found in murals, mosaics, and various other designs. The Egyptians had already begun using blue brick tiles to decorate their homes around the fourth millennium B.C., and glazed brick tiles were common in Mesopotamia also, as found on the famous Ishtar Gate in Babylon, which was tiled and decorated with lions, bulls, and dragons. The Islamic empires are given credit for the spread of ceramic tiles as wall coverings, and then the Chinese via their access to the silk trade routes.

Today, tiles exist all over the world, gracing the walls and floors of millions of structures. They have evolved to different designs, patterns, and arrangements that are beautiful and pleasing to the sight, and National Tile Day exists as a moment to celebrate this wonderful, awe-inspiring craftsmanship.

National Tile Day timeline

3500 B.C.Tiles in Egypt

In Egyptian culture, they decorate their houses with blue brick tiles.

1500sPortuguese Heritage

Portugal incorporates the ceramic tile arts as an integral part of its cultural expression, influenced greatly by the Moorish influence of North Africa.

1956Tiling Company

The tile company Osiarte creates tiles used by artist Cândido Portinari to create the mural ‘As Quatro Estações,’ located in Rio de Janeiro.

2017National Tile Day

The biggest international tile and stone show in North America, Covering, initiates National Tile Day to draw attention to the importance of tiles in architecture and designs.

National Tile Day FAQs

Do tiles make the room cold?

Not necessarily. And there are specially made tiles that can regulate temperature, be it cold or hot.

What are the qualities of a good tile?

It should be without cracks, sturdy, be of regular shape and size, and should make a clear ringing sound when you strike it.

What is the difference between interior and exterior tiles?

There is no clear-cut difference, but exterior tile should have grit that provides traction when it gets wet, and should be slip-resistant and frost-proof.

How To Celebrate National Tile Day

Browse through various tile designs

Pick out designs

Share your experience

Surf the net and browse the myriad tile arrangements and designs up there, feeding yourself on the aesthetic pleasures. You will find awe-inspiring craftsmanship that will blow your mind.

This is a time to pick out tile designs for your apartment, dream house, or building. You can also research the prices of the tiles, and what it would take to afford them in your apartment.

Talk to your friends and families on social media and around about tiles, their versatility, and why you love them. You can do this with the tag #NationalTileDay on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

5 Fun Facts About Tiles

It began in Egypt

The Arabs spread It

Spick and span

One million tiles

Freezing cold

The use of tiles began in Egypt before spreading to other parts of the world.

The Arabs were the ones who spread the use of tiles into Europe, where it soon gained ground.

A mixture of water and vinegar is a great and inexpensive cleaning solution for tiles.

More than one million tiles were imported from Sweden to cover the roof of the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

Porcelain tiles are best-suited to freezing weather conditions because of their density.

Why We Love National Tile Day

A time to appreciate tiles

Tiles are calming

They serve as a protective surface

What better day is there to appreciate the great craftsmanship behind tiles than this? This day affords us the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of tiles in their different facets.

Tiles can create a warm atmosphere, which adds to the feel of a home. This makes the home more enjoyable and the ambiance cozy.

Tiles protect surfaces in the house, and the building itself, as a shield against water, heat, and other things that can destroy it. It also protects the floor from dust and can last a lifetime.

Source

[ladyangelsea]

💖𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗢𝗦💖 Another piece for Writers Write Snippets! In this snippet, Neve tries to make a mosaic and it doesn't go to well! Lol 😅 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 - 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆 Chaos overtook the throne room. A drop cloth had scattered tiles strewn across it. I did not know why I decided to create a mosaic on my own. But, here I was, struggling and trying to get the pieces to stick. I wanted to cry as I watched all the tiles fall off the wall one by one. Frustrated, I let out a sigh. “Hey,” a familiar voice said behind me. I turned away and cringed, looking down at the mess I had made. My chin dipped down, and I curled my arms around my torso. I couldn’t bear to look at him. A deep blush spread across my cheeks. I cleared my throat. “Hey, what are you doing here?” “A little birdie told me you were attempting a tile mosaic on your own,” Ardit grinned. “I came to save you from your own creative destruction.” 💖💖💖 #nationaltileday #mosaicart #writingcommunity #writersofinstagram #writingsnippet #fictionwriting #creativewriting #authorlife #bookish #chaosart https://www.instagram.com/p/CpIumCTLfuz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[touchstonehomeproducts]

Show off your tile fireplace wall for @nationaltileday! Tag us in your post! We'd love to see your creations!

Fireplace installation collaboration by @calling_allcreators and Modern Blaze

#tvliftcabinet #tilefireplace #electricfireplace #touchstonehomeproducts #touchstonefireplace

[dduerksen]

Happy National Tile Day! With its energy-efficiency, durability and huge variety of textures, patterns, and colors, tile will never go out of style. What are your favorite places to find tile in a home? Be it kitchen backsplash, bathroom flooring, or outdoor decor, I can help you find a home that is perfectly your s-tile! 😉😂 #nationaltileday #tile #tileflooring #realestateagent #dreamhome #kitchen #bathroom #outdoorpatio #listreports #simplyrealestate SRE5053083800 https://www.instagram.com/p/CaWQP1IOnGN/?utm_medium=tumblr

[sfc-paulchambers]

• @natdaycal Is there anyone who does not know, never throw out overripe bananas? Keep them, of course! On #NationalBananaBreadDay, is there anyone who would argue fresh out of the oven and buttered is the best? #NationalTileDay #NationalDogBiscuitDay (at Middle Tennessee Area) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaUwVU9uVOr/?utm_medium=tumblr

[thelakesidelife]

Did you know it was National Tile Day?! A great day to start planning those spring home renovation projects with 📷 @kenny_and_company at @kennypipesupply . . . “Happy National Tile Day! We are excited to participate in the #WhyTile discussion with @CoveringsShow and find out how you have used tile in recent projects. Tell us your favorite tile story.” - #kennyandcompany #tile #tiles #interiordesign #nationaltileday 〰️〰️🏡💕〰️〰️ #smithlakebiz #smithlakebusiness #smithlakehomes #lakehouse #shopsmithlake #decaturalabama #nashvilletn #alabama #alabamalakes #alabamalife #smithlakecommunity #smithlakesocial #lakeliving #lakeside #lewissmithlake #livelifelakeside #visitsmithlake #smithlake #smithlakeal #smithlakepix #smithlakelife #smithlakemagazine #thelakesidelifemagazine #thelakesidelife (at Smith Lake, Alabama) https://www.instagram.com/p/B86mPUgBQol/?igshid=aqowfap78k8a

[tvlcreative]

#Repost @ashleybchristensen ・・・ Everyday feels like National Tile Day at TVL Creative!!! Don’t forget to hug a tile rep! Happy Tile Day!! #nationaltileday #tvlcreative #denverdesign (at TVL Creative) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuQVa6BFRWP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=y8w0ugj4qkuo

[harvardfineartslib]

Today is National Tile Day.

Peter Lu, Ph.D. is a physicist who works at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University. One of our frequent researchers at the Fine Arts Library, his research focuses on medieval Islamic tilework.

Lu and Paul Steinhardt published their findings on the complex designs of 15th and 16th Islamic tilework in a 2007 article in Science. Mosaic patterns were produced via rotational symmetry of single repeating units, though five-fold and ten-fold symmetries were considered “forbidden” and mathematically impossible. The paper was significant in identifying pentagonal and decagonal motifs in Islamic tilework of this period and demonstrating that medieval craftsmen were able to achieve nearly perfect quasi-crystalline Penrose patterns. The underlying mathematics were not understood for another five centuries until the 1970s, when mathematician and physicist Roger Penrose showed that five-fold symmetry was possible using two shapes. The paper was covered widely in the press, including NPR, the BBC, The New York Times, and other newspapers and magazines. Lu’s findings were referenced in the press release for the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, which was awarded to Dan Shechtman for the discovery of quasicrystals, real-world materials whose atoms are arranged in Penrose patterns in three dimensions. FAL has since acquired many of Lu’s high-resolution photographs of Islamic tilework and architecture, which are available online via Hollis Images.  

In an interview conducted by Naoe Suzuki on November, 2019, Lu described using the resources at the Fine Arts Library:

“From the beginning of my research on Chinese jade to my current fascination with the forbidden symmetries in the 15th and 16th century Islamic tilings, I went through thousands of images by hand, because it turns out it’s a lot faster for me to scan them under a loupe, than to wait for the online catalog to reload, click a new image, zoom around, etc., etc.”

“… all my findings were based on the research I did at the Fine Arts Library, by physically going through a number of mounted photographs, 35 mm slides, and microfiche in addition to books and catalogues.”

Detail of window, Sahip Ata Külliye Lu, Peter J., 1978-, American [photographer] Place: Sahip Ata Külliyesi, Konya, Konya Ili, Turkey digital images 2013 HOLLIS number: olvwork740209

[rabbitcruiser]

National Tile Day

National Tile Day is on February 23, and we are supercharged to enjoy the aesthetic pleasure of the superb craftsmanship and creativity of the tile industry. Did you know that tiles have existed for thousands of years? Yes, mostly ceramic, mosaic, and stone tiles, and they have evolved into the many varieties so many of us crave today.

History of National Tile Day

Tiles are timeless elements of architectural endeavors and design. Seeing them on the walls, floors, and roofs provides aesthetic pleasure, and they have become inseparable from architecture and designs in all spheres, both domestic and public.

More than that, tiles can be used for flooring all through the house. Kitchens, bathroom, toilet, sitting room; every room in the house can have tiles on the floor to provide a strong, durable, and beautiful flooring. There are many types of tiles, from ceramic, porcelain, and glass to marble, granite, and other natural stone tiles, and many others.

The use of tiles in history began in ancient Egypt several millennia back, and they were used for decorative purposes. They were mostly found in murals, mosaics, and various other designs. The Egyptians had already begun using blue brick tiles to decorate their homes around the fourth millennium B.C., and glazed brick tiles were common in Mesopotamia also, as found on the famous Ishtar Gate in Babylon, which was tiled and decorated with lions, bulls, and dragons. The Islamic empires are given credit for the spread of ceramic tiles as wall coverings, and then the Chinese via their access to the silk trade routes.

Today, tiles exist all over the world, gracing the walls and floors of millions of structures. They have evolved to different designs, patterns, and arrangements that are beautiful and pleasing to the sight, and National Tile Day exists as a moment to celebrate this wonderful, awe-inspiring craftsmanship.

National Tile Day timeline

3500 B.C.Tiles in Egypt

In Egyptian culture, they decorate their houses with blue brick tiles.

1500sPortuguese Heritage

Portugal incorporates the ceramic tile arts as an integral part of its cultural expression, influenced greatly by the Moorish influence of North Africa.

1956Tiling Company

The tile company Osiarte creates tiles used by artist Cândido Portinari to create the mural ‘As Quatro Estações,’ located in Rio de Janeiro.

2017National Tile Day

The biggest international tile and stone show in North America, Covering, initiates National Tile Day to draw attention to the importance of tiles in architecture and designs.

National Tile Day FAQs

Do tiles make the room cold?

Not necessarily. And there are specially made tiles that can regulate temperature, be it cold or hot.

What are the qualities of a good tile?

It should be without cracks, sturdy, be of regular shape and size, and should make a clear ringing sound when you strike it.

What is the difference between interior and exterior tiles?

There is no clear-cut difference, but exterior tile should have grit that provides traction when it gets wet, and should be slip-resistant and frost-proof.

How To Celebrate National Tile Day

Browse through various tile designs

Pick out designs

Share your experience

Surf the net and browse the myriad tile arrangements and designs up there, feeding yourself on the aesthetic pleasures. You will find awe-inspiring craftsmanship that will blow your mind.

This is a time to pick out tile designs for your apartment, dream house, or building. You can also research the prices of the tiles, and what it would take to afford them in your apartment.

Talk to your friends and families on social media and around about tiles, their versatility, and why you love them. You can do this with the tag #NationalTileDay on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

5 Fun Facts About Tiles

It began in Egypt

The Arabs spread It

Spick and span

One million tiles

Freezing cold

The use of tiles began in Egypt before spreading to other parts of the world.

The Arabs were the ones who spread the use of tiles into Europe, where it soon gained ground.

A mixture of water and vinegar is a great and inexpensive cleaning solution for tiles.

More than one million tiles were imported from Sweden to cover the roof of the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

Porcelain tiles are best-suited to freezing weather conditions because of their density.

Why We Love National Tile Day

A time to appreciate tiles

Tiles are calming

They serve as a protective surface

What better day is there to appreciate the great craftsmanship behind tiles than this? This day affords us the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of tiles in their different facets.

Tiles can create a warm atmosphere, which adds to the feel of a home. This makes the home more enjoyable and the ambiance cozy.

Tiles protect surfaces in the house, and the building itself, as a shield against water, heat, and other things that can destroy it. It also protects the floor from dust and can last a lifetime.

Source

[traditionsintile]

Happy National Tile Day!! Yes, that’s a thing! Is it weird? Maybe! But we’re going with it anyway! Here are some of our favorite installations from Cersaie in Italy last fall. We’re super excited to see what Coverings 2018 brings. Come see us in Atlanta! #NationalTileDay #Coverings2018 #whytile #becausewesaidso #traditionsintile #welovetile #tilelove #modernandawesome

[sfc-paulchambers]

• @natdaycal Today is a great opportunity to take a look into replacing some flooring, baking goodness, and treating the dog(s). Have a wonderful day! #NationalBananaBreadDay #NationalTileDay #NationalDogBiscuitDay Did you know, tomorrow never comes? That is why we Celebrate Every Day. Tag @NatDayCal with your favorite way to celebrate the over 1,500 National Days. (at Middle Tennessee Area) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaUSnB3uWjb/?utm_medium=tumblr

[publicaglobalcommunication]

23 de febrero National Tile Day #nationaltileday #coverings #revistana #nuevoazulejo https://www.instagram.com/p/CLoQMAyJ8M1/?igshid=1hcse3s3p6q2z

[lycos-ceramic]

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲.

www.lycosceramic.com

  #NationalTileDay #TileDay #OnThisDay #ThisDayInHistory #ThisDayInworldHistory #23february #23Feb #February23 #tiles #walltiles #floortiles #GVT #porcelain #glasstile #marbletiles #limestonetiles #ceramictiles #Lycostile #Lycos #LycosGroup #LycosCeramic

[simplygrove]

Did you know that National Tile Day is February 23rd?! Are you curious what National Tile Day consists of? It’s a day to celebrate all things tile, which would include its beauty, uniqueness and durability. I’m going to be attending @coveringsshow in April, which is the main event for the ceramic tile & natural stone industry in North America, and will be held in Orlando, FL April 9-12. You can attend and register at no cost on the Coverings Show home page! I’ve linked it on my bio. #coverings2019 #nationaltileday #whytile http://bit.ly/2TQLgnZ

[harvardfineartslib]

Today is National Tile Day. We’re presenting tiles from medieval Islamic architecture. These tiles are not only beautiful to look at, but highly complex in design. For more on the history of Islamic art and the historiography on these tiles, see Gülru Necipoğlu's book on the Topkapı Scroll. The photographer of these pieces, Peter Lu, has built upon Necipoğlu's work in his own study of the intricate geometry underlying these patterns and designs.

Image 1: Detail of vaulting and dome, Büyük Karatay Madrasa

Image 2: Detail of tilework from iwan, Büyük Karatay Madrasa

Image 3: Detail of window, Sahip Ata Külliye

Image credit: Peter Lu