The Old-World charm of Morocco tile remains timeless. There's something special about the enduring art form of Zellige tile in a fast-paced, technology-driven world.
Zellij (Arabic: زليج, romanized: zillīj), also spelled zillij or zellige, is a style of mosaic tilework made from individually hand-chiseled tile pieces. This form of Islamic art is one of the main characteristics of architecture in the western Islamic world. It is found in the architecture of Morocco, the architecture of Algeria, early Islamic sites in Tunisia, and in the historic monuments of al-Andalus (in the Iberian Peninsula).
The word "zellige" comes from Arabic الزليج ( al zulaycha ) that means « little polished stone ». This word is sometimes written zillij or zellij. This ornemantal technique is typical of Maghrebi architecture: how to assembly fragments of glazed terracotta tiles of different colours to create a geometric pattern. Why "little polished stone"? Because the purpose was to imitate North Africa Greco-Roman mosaics, not by assembling pieces of polished marble ("tesserae"), but fragments of colored earthenware tiles.
Zellige tile's origin dates to around 711 A.D. The creation of zellige is a Moorish art, meaning it was created by the Muslim inhabitants of North Africa and the Mediterranean. Muslim inhabitants of North Africa and the Mediterranean created Zellige as handmade Moorish art with non-refined clay from Morocco's Fez region.
The Moors, a Muslim group, conquered the Christian nation of Spain, and put down roots in the Iberian Peninsula in A.D. 711. While the Christians eventually removed or converted the Moors after the fall of the Moorish Empire in the 15th century, Moors continued to call Morocco home, and North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula (where Spain and Portugal are located) remain excellent places to find examples of Moorish tile and art.
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By the 11th century, the zellij technique had reached a sophisticated level in the western Islamic world, as attested in the elaborate pavements found at the Hammadid capital, Qal'at Bani Hammad, in Algeria. Modern excavations here have uncovered a series of interlocking tiles including cross-shaped lustre-painted tiles and eight-pointed star-shaped tiles of monochrome green or turquoise.
During the Nasrid Dynasty and Marinid Dynasty in the 14th century, more vibrant colors of green, blue, and yellow joined the Zellige tile palette. Less frequently, vegetal or floral arabesque motifs were also created. On walls, zellij geometric dadoes were commonly topped by an epigraphic frieze.
The Enduring Craft of Zellige Tile Making
Making Moroccan tiles is an enduring art form. Many artisans learn the craft from family members at a very early age, so these skills, expertise, and art transcend multiple generations. Zellīj making is considered an art in itself. The art is transmitted from generation to generation by ma'alems (master craftsmen). A long training is required to implant the required skills and training usually starts at childhood.
In Fez, craftsmen begin training between the ages of 6 and 14 and the average apprenticeship lasts approximately ten years, with many more years required to achieve the status of ma'alem. In 1993, the Moroccan government ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), abolishing the practice of employing children under 15 in work that is hazardous or impedes their education, but a 2019 study reports that the practice of training children has continued.
The traditional manufacturing process begins with predrying the clay in a rectangular or square form. The clay is then adjusted and trimmed to the desired shape, dried, hand-glazed, and fired. This process has remained largely unchanged over centuries, but modern manufactucturing does incorporate some newer practices and technologies. For example, modern manufacturers cut the distinct shapes out of the predried clay rather than the finished tiles, and fire the tiles a second time after glazing for added strength.
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Traditional zellige manufacture is considered an art and requires great experience, precision, and patience. First, artisans hand cut, fire, and glaze each zellij tile. Next, they set them in a plaster base to form an endless number of geometric patterns, including squares, diamonds, polygons, stars, and crosses.
Zellij tiles are first fabricated in glazed squares, typically 10 cm per side, then cut by hand with a small adze-like hammer into a variety of pre-established shapes (usually memorized by rote learning) necessary to form the overall pattern.
The small shapes (cut according to a precise radius gauge) of different colours are then assembled in a geometrical structure as in a puzzle to form the completed mosaic. Uniquely in the city of Tétouan, zellij tiles are cut into the desired shapes before being baked.
Once baked and cut, the tiles were laid face down on the ground and assembled together into the intended pattern. The back of the tile pieces were coated together with thin layers of plaster or whitewash.
Because they are handmade, no two Zellige tiles are exactly alike. Zellige tile's enduring popularity is arguably due to the ongoing passion the artisans pour into making such gorgeous, unique finished products.
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The method of creating Moroccan zellige tiles is recognized as a national art form and each artist must attend a special school for artisans in order to perfect their craft. When you choose Moroccan zellige, you’re supporting a cultural heritage and disciplined art form. The tile-makers take pride in their work and they are passionate about making the very highest quality tiles.
Geometric Patterns and Symbolism
Representation of human beings or animals, has often been forbidden in Islamic art. This explains the development of this decorative art governed by the geometry. Basic geometrical shapes such as squares, diamonds, triangles, stars, crosses, and other polygons are combined together according to strict mathematical patterns.
Because Islam prohibits portraying living things, artists created geometric patterns for artistic expression and to add color and significance to the mesmerizing mosaics. In traditional zellij decoration, geometric patterns of varying complexity were the most prominent and widespread motif. Vegetal arabesque motifs were also used, though less frequently.
Geometric patterns were created on the basis of tessellation: the method of covering a surface with the use of forms that can be repeated and fitted together without overlapping or leaving empty spaces between them.
The hallmark of Moroccan tilework is its hypnotic geometry. The repetition of shapes like stars, polygons, and interlocking lines is far from random. These motifs reflect mathematical and philosophical principles deeply rooted in Islamic culture.
Stars often represent the heavens and divine light. An 8-pointed star, for example, is one of the most common symbols found in Moroccan tiles. It signifies balance, harmony, and cosmic order.
Squares symbolize stability and groundedness. Circles symbolize unity and the eternal. Interlaced patterns formed by overlapping circles or lines represent the interconnectedness of all things-material and spiritual.
Color is a vital aspect of Moroccan tile design, and each hue carries symbolic weight drawn from religion, nature, and culture. Blue is calming and protective. Green represents paradise, life, and renewal. White symbolizes purity and light. These colors add depth and meaning to the intricate patterns.
Here's a table summarizing the symbolism of colors in Moroccan tiles:
| Color | Symbolism |
|---|---|
| Blue | Calming, protective, associated with sky and water |
| Green | Paradise, life, renewal, sacred in Islam |
| White | Purity, light, balance |
| Black | Strength, mystery, formality |
| Yellow & Gold | Joy, sunlight, wealth, divine energy |
| Red | Courage, love, vitality |
Throughout history, these colors and patterns have adorned various structures across Morocco and beyond.
Moroccan tiles adorned ceilings, floors, columns, courtyards, pools, and fountains in buildings, mosques, universities, and other public places throughout Morocco for centuries. The 20th-century Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco, features a breathtaking display of Zellige tile inside and outside the building.
If you're lucky enough to go to Granada, be sure to visit the Alhambra Palace to see the magnificent Zellige in all its splendor. If you are visiting Fez, you should also visit the Medersa El Attarin and the Nejarin Fountain.
The process of making our authentic Moroccan Zellige Tile Film
Influence and Modern Uses
Many zellige and azulejo tile influences can be seen in today’s contemporary home decor, showing limitless options for tile pattern and color combinations that range from simple to complex.
Today, Moroccan tiles decorate the walls of elegant hotels and houses, decorate hammams (hotel complexes), add sophistication to royal palaces and illuminate swimming pools and fountains. Designers today often choose Moroccan kitchen tiles not just for aesthetic appeal but for the deeper meanings they bring into the heart of the home.
Whether you're admiring Moroccan zellige tiles on a courtyard wall or considering a patterned backsplash for your Moroccan tiles kitchen, knowing the symbolism behind these patterns and colors will not only enhance your appreciation but also inspire more meaningful design decisions.
And thankfully, the rustic charm of Moroccan tile is a design trend that's likely here to stay. You don't have to travel across continents to enjoy a timeless Mediterranean tile aesthetic.
Whether you’re creating a bold accent wall, a tranquil patio, or a personalized Moroccan tiles kitchen, each pattern and color has the power to shape mood, energy, and flow.
So, what are you waiting for? Scroll through our extensive catalog and order some free samples! If you don’t see your ideal Moroccan zellige tile, we may be able to assist with a custom order. No matter the nature of your project, you won’t be disappointed with zellige’s colorful backstory and equally colorful appearance.
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