Question

To what does the term "arabesque" refer?

Answer 1

An artistic ornamentation using intricate motifs as decoration distinctive of that of Arab (or Islamic) countries in the 9th Century and others later.

Explanation:

Possibly as a reaction to iconoclasm in Islamic society, visual art expression became to use intricate surface designs as decoration.

Iconoclasm affected artistic expression deeply in Islamic countries. The controversy was whether an Artist was allowed to create the visual representation of Mohamed. The underlying issue was idolatry. Whether iconic representations of God or the Prophet should be prayed too. In Islam the answer was no.

For an artist then all human forms off limits for the faithful to create or see. It was however marketable to write "God" or "Mohamed" in fancy writing and sell that. Intricate repeating patterns began to be popular ways to decorate what would otherwise be unbroken blank areas in architecture. The Alhambra in Spain has some very good examples of this style although created at a later time.