Talismanic shirt

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.

The shirts may be inscribed with verses from Quran, names of Allah and of prophets and with numbers.

[2] Although talismanic shirts can be worn to protect against many evils most of them seem to be intended as a shield in battle.

A talismanic shirt in the collection of the Topkapı Palace
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
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
Talismanic shirt depicting the holy sanctuaries of Mecca and Medina, 16th or early 17th century