Ornamental harmony

In this second part on ornamentation in architecture, our writers uncover the roots of unity in ancient structures.

WITH all the buzz and hype surrounding the 1Malaysia concept, you would think it’s a brand new idea. What most people don’t know is that hidden within some of this country’s oldest religious structures is a formula for compromise and mutual respect that epitomises the 1Malaysia ideal. And it was born not out of debate or discussion but purely out of a concern for beauty and meaning.