These panels, which depict flowers, birds, vines and foliage, were carved into the pristine white marble facade of the Taj Mahal , and highlight the colours of the Petra Dura floral motifs.
The domination of floral patterns and motifs is said to symbolize the theme of Paradise in Mughal art forms.
Calligraphy
Black marble calligraphy was used as another method of ornamentation. There are detailed inscriptions with Koranic verses. The recessed archways at the Taj Mahal show beautiful examples of this calligraphy, and the Pietra Dura surrounding it.
The size of the calligraphy increases as the arches reach higher- thereby giving an optical illusion of uniformity.

