Alcázar Tiles – Color & Symbolism Decoding Guide

Core Palette

Motif Symbolism (Indicative)

• Star polygons: Order & celestial harmony.
• Interlaced foliage: Continuity of life; paradise garden invocation.
• Knotted strapwork: Endless sovereignty; political endurance metaphor.

Glaze Behavior & Light

Morning: angled highlight reveals micro-craze lines (age indicator). Midday: saturation reads truer. Late: warmer cast enriches ochre, softens white.

Restoration Clues

• Slight matte vs gloss mismatch = replacement tile.
• Hairline filled cracks with color shading = conservation infill.
• Micro numeric pencil marks (temporary) = cataloging during study.

Observation Drill

Pick one 12-tile panel: identify motif taxonomy (star / foliage / strapwork). Map color distribution percentages roughly — trains pattern memory.

Image Highlights

Bottom Line

Tiles function as a chromatic narrative tool — reading color intention elevates architectural immersion.