To celebrate the arts and crafts and rich decorative history of Afghanistan we will study the famous Boteh symbol  (also know as the paisley) . This sacred symbol representing the (cypress) tree of life and originally the Zoroaster sacred flame proliferates the sublime Great Mosque of Herat in Afghanistan.

Herat was an important link on the Silk road evident in a proliferation of influences and styles prevalent in the abundant ornamentation through the 11th century Mosque. The Boteh teardrop motif is found throughout the Mosque, represents the ideas of eternal spirit and the season of autumn. The classes will focus on the arts and crafts of Afghanistan and the development of this mysterious motif and its application from Persia to India.