of the same wall and is noteworthy for the carving of
an outstretched hand in the keystone and an inscription above the portal of a key. Various interpretations have been made of these symbols, which are likely intended to legitimize the rulers' claims of authority. The palaces were decorated throughout with colored tile work on the floors and the walls at lower levels and elaborately carved stucco on the walls at higher levels. These designs
combine geometric patterns with naturalist floral motifs into a highly developed style of
calligraphy wherein Koranic verse and poetry become a visual art. The elaborate forms seen on the palace walls are often stylized script mirrored and transformed into an angular or curvaceous composition.