 Girih are elaborate interlacing patterns formed of five standardized shapes . The style is used in Persian Islamic architecture and also in decorative woodwork . Girih designs are traditionally made in different media including cut brickwork , stucco , and mosaic faience tilework . In woodwork , especially in the Safavid period , it could be applied either as lattice frames , left plain or inset with panels such as of coloured glass ; or as mosaic panels used to decorate walls and ceilings , whether sacred or secular . In architecture , girih forms decorative interlaced strapwork surfaces from the 15th century to the 20th century . Most designs are based on a partially hidden geometric grid which provides a regular array of points ; this is made into a pattern using 2- , 3- , 4- , and 6 @-@ fold rotational symmetries which can fill the plane . The visible pattern superimposed on the grid is also geometric , with 6- , 8- , 10- and 12 @-@ pointed stars and a variety of convex polygons , joined by straps which typically seem to weave over and under each other . The visible pattern does not coincide with the underlying tiling . 
