Talismanic shirt

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A talismanic shirt in the collection of the Topkapı Palace

A talismanic shirt (or talisman shirt; Turkish: tılsımlı gömlek; Persian: پیراهن طلسمات, romanizedpirâhan telesmat) is a worn textile talisman. Talismanic shirts are found throughout the Muslim world. The shirts can be grouped to four types which differ in style and the symbols used: an Ottoman, a Safavid, a Mughal and a West African one.[1]

The earliest surviving examples were made approximately in 15th century,[1] though the tradition of talismanic shirts might be much older. In Surah Yusuf of the Quran, a shirt of the prophet Joseph is described as giving him protection and even miracle-working. He hands it over so it can heal the blindness of his father Jacob: "Go with this my shirt, and cast it over the face of my father: he will come to see"[Quran 12:93].

15th–early 16th century talismanic shirt in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Attributed to North India or the Deccan. Cotton, ink, gold; plain weave, painted

The shirts may be inscribed with verses from Quran, names of Allah and of prophets and with numbers. They may carry images or symbols, e.g. astrological ones. The inscribed names are believed to be capable of offering protection and guidance to the carrier.[2] Although talismanic shirts can be worn to protect against many evils most of them seem to be intended as a shield in battle.[1]

Some examples in collections[edit]

Talismanic shirt inscribed with Qur'anic verses, the Asma' al-Husna, and prayers, with views of Mecca and Medina; 17th century Turkey, Khalili Collection of Hajj and the Arts of Pilgrimage

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Talismanic shirt depicting the holy sanctuaries of Mecca and Medina, 16th or early 17th century
  1. ^ a b c d e Atighi Moghaddam, Behnaz (17 June 2015). "Guest Post: A Warrior's Magic Shirt". Victoria and Albert Museum. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  2. ^ Al-Saleh, Yasmine (November 2010). "Amulets and Talismans from the Islamic World". Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
  3. ^ Özay, Alev (2015). "Talismanic shirt". Discover Islamic Art. Museum With No Frontiers. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  4. ^ "Talismanic Shirt". The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  5. ^ "Hajj and The Arts of Pilgrimage | Talismanic Shirt with Depictions of the Two Holy Sanctuaries". Khalili Collections. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  6. ^ "Hajj and The Arts of Pilgrimage | Talismanic Shirt". Khalili Collections. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  7. ^ Nassar, Nahla (2021). "Talismanic shirt". Discover Islamic Art. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
  8. ^ "Islamic Art | Talismanic shirt". Khalili Collections. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  9. ^ "Islamic Art | Talismanic shirt on green ground". Khalili Collections. Retrieved 2021-07-09.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

Media related to Talismanic shirts at Wikimedia Commons