Istanbul Heavens

I found the countless domes in Istanbul breath-taking, from the domes in the square in Sultanahmet, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, to the Aya Sofya. When stepping into rooms or mosques the domes gave me the impression of being possessed by light and space. I overheard a tour guide say that the dome represented the universe, or 'the dome of the sky' which separated it from the heavenly world above and physical world beneath. The hanging light, cord or chandelier from the center of the dome represents Islam or the Koran, given to the people (if my eavesdropping serves me right) to help them ascend to the heavens.