Zakhrafa (Ornament)

Zakhrafa (Ornament) — connector documentation

• MCP endpoint: https://zakhrafa.connectorbay.com/mcp
• REST API: POST https://zakhrafa.connectorbay.com/v1/tools/{tool_name}, described by the OpenAPI 3.1 spec at https://zakhrafa.connectorbay.com/openapi.json
• Transport: Streamable HTTP, stateless, MCP specification 2025-06-18 or later
• Authentication: none required. An optional Authorization: Bearer <key> raises rate limits.
• Health: https://zakhrafa.connectorbay.com/health · Tool schemas: https://zakhrafa.connectorbay.com/tools.json
• Publisher: Unify Dynamics LLC · connectorbay.com/zakhrafa · agent@connectorbay.com

What Zakhrafa (Ornament) is for

"Zakhrafa" (زخرفة) is the Arabic word for "ornamentation" or "decoration." Islamic geometric ornament is instantly recognizable and endlessly discussed, but the specific mathematical and constructive side of it — how a star pattern is actually built, what makes an 8-fold pattern different from a 10-fold one, why arabesque and geometric ornament keep getting confused, how muqarnas vaulting actually works structurally — is answered here from one hand-curated reference focused specifically on pattern theory and construction principle.

What it does

One geometric pattern family's construction principle, symmetry type and common name across 14 pattern families and topics — girih star-and-polygon patterns, sixfold/eightfold/tenfold/twelvefold symmetry systems, tessellation principles, key-fret meanders, radial medallions, interlace strapwork, arabesque vegetal ornament, muqarnas, the compass-and-straightedge construction tradition, and fivefold/quasi-periodic patterns (pattern_family_info); search by partial name, alias or a word from a pattern's description or construction principle (pattern_search); pattern families grouped by n-fold rotational symmetry — 6, 8, 10 or 12 (patterns_by_symmetry); a clear explanation of the arabesque-versus-geometric distinction, since the two vegetal and geometric design traditions are frequently confused despite being built on entirely different construction logic (arabesque_vs_geometric_guide); the three-dimensional honeycomb/stalactite vaulting ornament — structural function, decorative use, typical locations and materials, described architecturally (muqarnas_guide); the general compass-and-straightedge construction principle for building a basic star pattern, conceptual rather than a full coordinate-level tutorial (construction_method_guide); zellige (Maghrebi), Andalusian, and Persian-influenced regional tilework traditions, described typologically (regional_tilework_info); a general historical-development note connecting the tradition to Islamic-era mathematical scholarship (historical_context_info); and a glossary of ornament terms — girih, muqarnas, arabesque, zellige, tawriq, islimi, and more (ornament_glossary).

What it is not

Not a step-by-step technical drafting tutorial with exact coordinates or angle tables — construction_method_guide stays at the level of constructive principle, since producing an exact drafting worksheet would need actual geometry rendering, which is outside this reference tool's scope. Not a religious or theological text — architectural features such as mihrab niches are described purely as architectural forms that ornament is applied to. And deliberately not a crafted-object heritage catalog: it does not cover mashrabiya lattice woodwork or Damascene mother-of-pearl inlay as craft objects (see the dedicated turath connector for those) — this connector goes deeper specifically on geometric pattern theory and construction, a distinct angle from craft-object heritage.

Tools

Pattern families

pattern_family_info — One geometric pattern family's construction principle, symmetry type and common name — covers 14 pattern families and topics, from girih star patterns and n-fold symmetry systems to tessellation principles, interlace strapwork, arabesque and muqarnas. Use for "what is girih", "what's an 8-fold pattern", "what is interlace strapwork". Args: name.

pattern_search — Search all geometric pattern families by partial name, alias, or a word from their description or construction principle. Use for "patterns based on pentagons", "which pattern uses two overlapping squares", "star patterns found in domes". Args: query.

patterns_by_symmetry — Geometric pattern families grouped by n-fold rotational symmetry — 6-fold, 8-fold, 10-fold or 12-fold systems (and 5-fold for the quasi-periodic girih-tile family). Use for "what are 8-fold patterns", "show me 12-fold symmetry patterns", "which patterns have 10-fold symmetry". Args: fold.

Ornament types

arabesque_vs_geometric_guide — Clearly explains the distinction between arabesque (vegetal/biomorphic scrollwork ornament) and geometric ornament (measured, compass-and-straightedge polygon construction) — two design traditions that are often confused, especially since they are frequently combined in the same composition. Use for "what's the difference between arabesque and geometric patterns", "is arabesque geometric", "what is islimi".

muqarnas_guide — The three-dimensional honeycomb/stalactite vaulting ornament explained — its structural function bridging a square room to a round dome, its purely decorative uses, where it is typically found (entrances, dome interiors, corners, niches), materials, and regional variation, described architecturally rather than theologically. Use for "what is muqarnas", "how does muqarnas work structurally", "where is muqarnas used".

Construction

construction_method_guide — The general compass-and-straightedge construction principle for building a basic star pattern — conceptual and descriptive (how a circle is divided and connected to generate a star shape), not a full step-by-step technical tutorial with exact coordinates or angle tables. Optionally pass a specific n-fold system for a construction note on that system. Use for "how are Islamic star patterns constructed", "how do you draw an 8-pointed star", "compass and straightedge geometric pattern method". Args: pattern.

Regional & historical

regional_tilework_info — Zellige (Maghrebi), Andalusian, and Persian-influenced regional tilework traditions — technique, pattern character and typical architectural context, described typologically. Use for "what is zellige", "how is Andalusian tilework different from zellige", "what is haft rangi tile technique". Args: region.

historical_context_info — A general historical-development note on Islamic geometric ornament — Umayyad-era origins, Abbasid and later elaboration into denser star systems and muqarnas, its documented historical connection to Islamic-era mathematical scholarship (including a specific named 10th-century treatise on geometric constructions for craftsmen), and modern mathematical re-analysis of historical patterns. Use for "when did Islamic geometric patterns develop", "is there a math connection to Islamic geometric art", "history of girih patterns".

Reference

ornament_glossary — Definitions of common geometric-ornament terms (zakhrafa, girih, arabesque, muqarnas, zellige, tawriq, islimi, interlace/strapwork, n-fold symmetry, handasa, mihrab). Use for "what does girih mean", "what's tawriq", "what does zakhrafa mean". Args: term.

Conventions

• Read-only. Every tool reads public data or computes; nothing is written anywhere and nothing about the user is stored.
• Result envelope. ok: true with data, or ok: false with a structured error (bad_input, not_found, upstream_error). degraded lists optional sources that were unreachable.
• Rate limits. Free tier 60 tool calls/minute and 300/day per user (keyed on the user identifier supplied by the host agent, else client IP); Pro keys raise this. Over-limit calls return HTTP 429 with Retry-After. initialize and tools/list are never counted.

Support

agent@connectorbay.com · connectorbay.com/zakhrafa/support

Zakhrafa (Ornament) — Privacy Policy

Effective 24 September 2026. Unify Dynamics LLC ("we", "us"), Menlo Park, California.

What Zakhrafa (Ornament) is. Zakhrafa (Ornament) is a connector (an MCP server and REST API) that AI assistants and personal agents call on your behalf for a hand-curated Islamic/Arab geometric ornament and pattern-design reference — pattern-family construction principles, n-fold symmetry groupings, the arabesque/geometric distinction, muqarnas vaulting, regional tilework traditions, historical context, and a glossary. You interact with your assistant; the assistant sends us only the arguments needed for that one lookup.

What we receive. The arguments of each tool call — a pattern-family name, a search query, a symmetry order, a region, or a glossary term — the technical headers needed to serve the request (an IP address or a client identifier supplied by the assistant, and a Pro API key if you have one), and standard server logs.

Everything is answered from a bundled, hand-curated reference file and nothing is stored. No request is forwarded to any third party — there is no upstream call at all, live or otherwise — and no query is logged in request bodies, recorded, or used to train anything.

What we do not receive or store. We do not receive your conversation with the assistant or your name, and we do not build a profile from your queries: each request is answered independently and nothing carries over between requests. Rate-limit counters (a client identifier and timestamps) are held in memory for at most 24 hours. Hosting-provider access logs, which contain IP addresses and request paths but not request bodies, are retained for up to 30 days for security and abuse prevention.

Sub-processors. None — the entire dataset is bundled with the server and answered locally. Hosting: Vercel (United States regions).

Legal bases and your rights. Our processing is necessary to provide the service you request through your assistant. Because we store no personal data beyond short-lived logs, requests to access, correct or delete personal data are usually satisfied automatically; you can still contact agent@connectorbay.com and we will respond within 30 days. We do not sell or share personal information and do not use your data to train models.

Children. Zakhrafa (Ornament) is a general-audience service operated by the adult using the assistant.

Changes. We will post changes here with a new effective date.

Zakhrafa (Ornament) — Terms of Service

Effective 24 September 2026. These terms govern use of the Zakhrafa (Ornament) connector ("the Service") operated by Unify Dynamics LLC ("we", "us").

1. The Service. Zakhrafa (Ornament) returns a hand-curated Islamic/Arab geometric ornament and pattern-design reference — pattern-family construction principles, n-fold symmetry groupings, the arabesque/geometric distinction, muqarnas vaulting, regional tilework traditions, historical context, and a glossary — from data cross-checked against public art-history and mathematics-history reference sources at build time. It is accessed through an AI assistant or directly over MCP or HTTP.
2. A design and cultural reference, not a drafting tool or a religious text. Zakhrafa (Ornament) is an independent reference tool, not affiliated with or endorsed by any government, cultural institution, or religious body. construction_method_guide describes the general constructive principle behind a geometric star pattern conceptually; it is not a step-by-step technical drafting tutorial with exact coordinates or angle tables, and is not a substitute for a geometry-drafting or CAD tool. Architectural features such as mihrab niches are described purely architecturally, not theologically.
3. Traditions vary and evolve. Pattern names, regional attributions and construction conventions described here reflect the commonly documented, widely recognized version of each — practice varies by region, craft tradition and era, and the Service's own data notes this where it matters rather than presenting one version as definitive.
4. Acceptable use. Automated use within the published rate limits is welcome.
5. Availability. The Service is provided "as is" without warranty. We may change, limit or discontinue it at any time.
6. Data. Our Privacy Policy describes what we process. In short: your query is answered from a bundled reference file, and nothing is stored.
7. Pro keys. Optional Pro API keys are issued at our discretion, are personal to the holder and may be revoked for abuse.
8. Liability. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Unify Dynamics LLC is not liable for any loss arising from use of or reliance on the Service. Our total liability is limited to US $100.
9. Governing law. California law; venue in San Mateo County, California.
10. Contact. Unify Dynamics LLC · agent@connectorbay.com · https://connectorbay.com/zakhrafa

Zakhrafa (Ornament) support

Email agent@connectorbay.com. We answer within two business days.

• MCP endpoint: https://zakhrafa.connectorbay.com/mcp
• REST API: https://zakhrafa.connectorbay.com/openapi.json
• Live status: https://zakhrafa.connectorbay.com/health

When you report a problem, include the question you asked your agent, roughly when, and which agent you used (for example Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini). Never send us passwords, account numbers or ID numbers. Zakhrafa (Ornament) never asks for them.