1.Introduction

The introduction of the internet has enabled people from diverse cultures to interact and understand each other, leading to wider dissemination of mystical literature, novels, and other genres. It is not difficult to see the fusion of Chinese kung fu films, Taoism, and Oriental Buddhism in real life, along with Gothic tales about werewolves and vampires and other gloomy literary works with Christian religious overtones. This research will explore the impact of mysticism on art and culture, with a focus on literature and history.

The article’s primary focus is on architectural art, with examples including the iconic Gothic-colored window and the role of light in Christian buildings. It will also delve into the influence of Eastern Buddhist philosophy on architectural and creative trends and feature a number of artists who work in a mysterious vein.

Since the dawn of humanity, mysticism has developed and grown to be an essential component of culture and the arts. Along with having an impact on aesthetics, mysticism also serves as a historical record of several occurrences. According to the author, learning about mysticism in various locales might help one comprehend a nation’s and a period’s social and historical backdrop. In order to determine the magical effect of the topic under discussion, this research will analyze historical texts and associated literature as well as engage with the religious art of each place. It will also examine the impact of mystic art on modern art, providing examples from artists across various historical periods.

2.The Origin of the Mysticism

Defining mysticism can be a challenging task as it encompasses a range of meanings. It can represent a society, a phenomenon, and a religion, and its existence is often considered absurd. While the origins of mysticism remain unclear, the concept emphasizes spiritual encounters and the possibility of a direct connection between God or nature and the human spirit. Because the idea behind the mysticism is illogical and unreal, it is mysterious. In a broad sense, what the masses think of as mysticism involves religious belief, known in the East as metaphysics. Mysticism and varied myths and stories also introduced different religious practices and artwork to each place. Western mysticism is generally believed to have four main sources: Ancient Egypt, Hebrew, Greek/Roman culture, and Christianity [1].

The first known mysticism also referred to as the mysticism’s creator, Pythagoras from 570 DC, left no writings behind during his lifetime. The doctrines are carried down from the school, which establishes by Pythagoras. He thought that everything had a numerical value. The human soul can continue to reincarnate. In the world, continual learning can attain the cleansing of the soul. The Pythagoras made geometry, astrology, algebra, and music required subjects. Pythagoras established religious penance, and the apprentices lived a puritanical life. There are stringent laws and restrictions, which are the same as subsequent mysticism beliefs. It is possibly the earliest mysticism concept documented in history.

The conviction that there exists a supreme knowledge of all that can only be acquired through a particular form of awareness or intuition is beyond human comprehension and emotion. Buddhism is one of many belief systems that emphasizes the equality of all creatures and the concepts of meditation, chanting, and development. It is said that meditation enhances mystical insights and divine direction [2].

In the daily appreciation of artworks, it is often easy to see some mysterious symbols, which are mysterious and deep, full of spirituality. For example, Mystical Order of the Rose and Croix and its events were founded in France by Josephine Peradan. Peradan was an advocate of esoteric Catholicism through the dark arts. Between 1892 and 1897, he arranged six salons in Paris where more than 230 artists, many of them symbolists, displayed their creations. The common thread among Salon’s works is symbolism, which includes folklore, legend, and mysticism. Besides, mysticism is all unrelated to reality [3].

Mysticism and modernism share many similarities, and both have left distinct imprints on each period’s work. The development of contemporary art culture has also been significantly influenced by mystical ideas, concepts, beliefs, and practices. Many artists draw influence from mystical ideas and experiences when creating works in literature, music, dance, architecture, visual arts, and many other genres.

3.The Art and Building under the Impact of Mysticism

3.1.Jewish Architecture

The Hebrew culture maintains that God created the universe and humans to rule it. Men had to labor hard, and women had to endure ten months of pregnancy discomfort because of the depravity and original sin of humans as a result of their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. The Hebrew Bible is the most significant piece of Hebrew cultural heritage. In addition to being the emblem of Judaism, the hexagram, also known as the “star of Davide,” has been inscribed with symbols like amulets since ancient times. Jews frequently use plants, animals, and some sacrificed items in their artistic expression.

Jews do not show themselves artistically, so there isn’t often a particular person in the temple. Additionally, the synagogue’s artwork frequently aims to convey a solemn, sacred atmosphere. Jewish-cultured plants, hexagrams, and creatures also predominate in the painting found in diaspora synagogues. Buildings changed to accommodate new rituals when Hamburg became the heart of Reform Judaism in the 19th century.

The Bimah, which now rests at the East Wall of the New Temple of Israel, bears a striking resemblance to a Protestant pulpit. Balconies without the mechitza that separated the balconies for women now have an organ and a chorus. Synagogue design also contains both Jewish and non-Jewish features. While aesthetic preferences reflect current tastes, religious and ritual requirements, such as the ark that kept the Torah scrolls, naturally persist. Jewish interests, regional construction regulations, and the architectural movement were intertwined, just as they were with the design of the tomb. The Schinkel School and English Gothic styles had an impact on the temple’s building, while the Renaissance and Baroque styles were used in a synagogue attached to a Jewish hospital [3].

3.2.Christian Architecture

Christian art, in general, has a lot of symbolic elements because the primary goal of art in places of worship is to facilitate prayer for worshipers, to send messages, and to project meaning through this visual medium to clarify and teach various religious concepts [4]. Also, light in Christianity is the union of the virtuous and the lovely. Light is a representation of God as well, and light with external manifestations takes up much space in Christian architecture [4].

Romanesque, Byzantine, and Gothic are the three architectural types used in modern Christian construction. 1) Romanesque temple The Latin cross, which is its primary feature, strengthens the religious significance. 2) The major accomplishment and distinguishing feature of the Byzantine church is that the dome is supported by four independent pillars and is topped on a square plane. Hagia Sophia is an emblematic Byzantine structure. 3) In the heart of France, Gothic buildings began to emerge. Cross arches, flying bonds, thin columns, and new frame structures are said to be used in the design to increase the strength of supporting the top so that the entire building with the helicopter lines, majestic appearance, and wide area inside the church, are done so in order to draw closer to God. The long windows with stained glass insets, when combined, give the church a powerfully spiritual feel. Gothic flower Windows are standard in green, red, and blue, and the patterns often depict religious stories. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the Cologne Cathedral in Germany, and other prominent structures serve as symbols.

3.3.Islamic Architecture

Ancient Arabic art had a significant impact on Islamic art. Natural objects, particularly animal totems, as well as imaginary supernatural beings, are among their subjects of worship. Their artwork frequently features gods in the form of people, animals, and fantastical, supernatural beings like flying lions. To get closer to nature.

Mosque is one of the most famous Islamic buildings. The shrine, which is located atop Mount Moria, was constructed in 690 AD by the Muslim caliph Al Abdullah. It was constructed in this location in a significant way: close to the fabled location of Jesus Christ’s burial, the original location of the Temple of Solomon and King Herod, which is Judaism’s holy territory. Its presence is a clear indication that Islam rules over Jerusalem. The dome, which is also known as the dome of heaven, symbolizes the culmination of Allah’s messenger’s spiritual voyage. Muslims associate gilded columns and capitals with tradition, permanence, riches, and authority.

The most notable works were the sculptured and painted palaces and temples, which were constructed primarily of brick. The majority of the city’s structures are fortresses, with the sanctuary of El Obeid, which is devoted to the goddess, being the most well-known.

Islamic artists have created distinctive and colorful artistic forms and systems, breaking through all limitations of time and place, giving up the distinction of race, and expressing the spirit and feelings of faith and humanity with an unmatched level of sophistication and style [5].

3.4.Buddhist Architecture

Northeast India was the birthplace of Buddhism. Buddhism is frequently linked to contemplative practices, philosophical inquiry, and the morality of kindness [6]. The traditional Chinese architecture is strikingly identical to the image of the Buddhist temple. For instance, many sculptures and paintings feature Chinese influences. Numerous Buddha artworks and numerous religious tales are depicted in the well-known Dunhuang murals [7].

The church structure itself is covered in numerous lotus designs. The Lotus represents seriousness and purity, and through the Lotus Clean. In order to be able to preserve people’s own peace and purity, it is important to live a decent life, to be honest, and moral, to avoid stealing, lying, and killing. Only by meeting all of these conditions can it receive the Buddha’s approval and arrive at Elysium.

The peony, a Chinese national flower, represents prosperity and riches. In China, it has very high prestige and cultural significance. Peonies are used in Buddhist architecture to represent the community, the accomplishment and triumph of the Buddha’s global propagation [8].

4.The Influence of Mysticism on Artists

4.1.Hilma af Klint

Born in Stockholm in 1862, Hilma af Klint (1862-1944) studied art at the city’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts and received her degree with honors in 1887. She soon became well-known as a painter in Stockholm and briefly held the position of secretary for the Swedish Society of Women Artists. She also diligently researched Theosophy, Rosicrucianism, and spiritualism during this time. These spiritual practices were very well-liked in both Europe and the United States and drew a lot of interest from other artists like Kandinsky, Frantisk Kupka, Malevich, and Mondrian [9]. These painters all use spirituality and intuition to inspire their abstract, idealist, and futuristic works. They are skilled at expressing their paintings through the use of geometric forms and vivid colors.

According to legend, Hilma af Klint was instructed to draw patterns and symbols by a higher intelligence after receiving a subconscious biological insight. She established the theosophically influenced group De fem in 1896, holding frequent seances. Between 1906 and 1915, she worked on a project known as “The Paintings for the Temple,” which resulted in 193 abstract paintings and worked on paper. He first created non-objectivity in these pieces. She used color and line boldly to create a variety of geometric shapes. Her wishes for the works’ exhibition in the spiral gallery were spelled out in her will.

4.2.Remedios Varo

Spanish surrealist Remedios Varo (1908–1963) also worked as a writer and illustrator. Varo is a mystic and alchemist, and mysticism has a significant impact on her painting aesthetic. Her color choices are deeply personal, and her works have a very romantic aesthetic. The composition is very emotional, and the hues are intense.

Varo has always believed in the power of dreams, is enthusiastic about mysteries and extraordinary power, and is preoccupied with magic. The irony of human nature is more the driving force behind Bosch’s amalgamation of artificial compounds into the human body. Varo creates a magical dynamic instrument by fusing machines, plants, and animals. Ms. Varo inherited many of Mr. Bosch’s original concepts, and the mechanical drawing she honed under her engineer father’s strict instruction at an early age gave her the necessary skills to become the painter of the 20th century who invented the most vehicles [10].

5.Analysis and Discussion

Research indicates that contemporary artists have a strong interest in producing works of mysticism alongside those who specialize in traditional art. Artists that practice mysticism frequently focus on abstract, intuitive, and dream-related themes. It is primarily manifested in conceptualism, which is at odds with reality. In modern times, the cultures of mysticism and religion have gained in popularity, leading to a fusion of cultures through regular communication between nearby nations. This article explores both Western and Eastern mysticism.

In Eastern mysticism, tarot card patterns, another well-known divination method, tarot cards, have been linked closely to the old Hebrew culture. Kabbala. The Tarot has 78 segments, 22 high cards and 56 low cards. Kabbala is an ancient Hebrew philosophy given by God to Moses, which instructs people to cooperate and enhance their spiritual strength. There are tables that compare the cards to the ancient Hebrew alphabet that show how closely linked the twenty-two cards in the Tarot’s great Arcana are to the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In the East, gold, timber, water, fire, and earth are analogous to wind, fire, and earth in tarot cards. Tarot decks have also evolved into a component of contemporary fashion. Many artists have also been involved in drawing tarot card patterns, such as Dame Darcy (1971 America).

Other literary works and paintings with varied religious themes are popular among contemporary artists. The famous Gothic works, for example, include the Addams family. They frequently employ historical castles, vampires, and werewolves as literary subjects.

The study has shown that Western mysticism shares many characteristics with other Western cultures due to the cultural exchange between countries. Respect for God is a common characteristic of Western mysticism, and as a result, God appears in numerous artworks as a symbol. Oriental mystics, who have been influenced by Buddhism and other ideologies, frequently focus more on depicting nature than people. The search for the union of nature and man, even beyond the emotional spirit, is what Asian people are more interested in when they use points, lines, and surfaces to communicate art through ink painting.

6.Conclusion

The aim of this research is to investigate how religion has influenced the evolution of art. It finds out that the most common buildings among them that are affected by mysticism are those that are religious, like churches and temples. This implies that Mysticism’s emergence has a direct impact on art. First, religion uses art to promote and propagate itself while also providing its own themes and material for artists. And it naturally and directly combines with artistic creativity, making it an unavoidable development component for art. Second, religion has helped the growth of art in some ways. Religions frequently use art to promote and vividly depict their doctrines, which provides great support for art in terms of human and material resources and gives many artists greater access to opportunities for artistic practice. From an objective standpoint, religion thus fosters the development and growth of art.

Mysticism is a crucial component of art and the advancement of art, and it has been determined after the debate. Additional studies on the evolution of the arts will benefit from this study. Similar to how Christian Gothic architecture would eventually influence later periods of European architecture. Many contemporary fashion components, like the Taiji chart and lotus flower, have their origins in Eastern mysticism. The historical and theological contexts in which art is created compel people to think about its relationship to mysticism.

Nevertheless, the evolution of art has been hampered by religion, according to the third expression. The desire, expectation, and future religions will serve a purpose rather than pointing to an empty future. It restricts art to the parameters and modes imposed by religion, shapes the production and reception of art through theory, and somewhat impedes the growth of art. However, the literature and descriptions of mysticism are not especially thorough or extensive. This page contains touchy subjects because mysticism’s origin is also debatable. More relevant studies in the future are worth exploring.