Talismanic Devices and Imbuements on Islamic Arms

[Jim McDougall]

In two recent threads, one on Shamshir markings and the other on Arab spears, certain elements of markings found on them were interesting as they suggested talismanic properties which would be an interesting topic for discussion. In the spears case, there was a lozenge design which seems to have been widely used in such manner, and served as an apotropaic against the evil eye.

On the shamshir, the usual dual cartouches, the upper an ogival spheroid typically with ruler of the time or other information or other exhortations , while the lower typically had the makers name and date....are seen.
However to the left and above is a square with abjad letters in a grid, and known as a 'Beduh' square. These talismanic devices are often regarded as 'magic squares' and represent various number combinations which invoke the appropriate properties required.

I would like to look into these 'Beduh' squares further here, and determine more on how they are typically intended on sword blades; how widely were they used (if outside the Arab world and Mughal India) and examples of blades bearing them.

I would also like to learn more on the lozenge device and its significance in motif and designs on weapons in the Arab world.

Attached is the blade of the shamshir posted by William Fox with the typical cartouche configuration and the 'Beduh' square upper left. I am curious about the grid of only four squares, it seems most have nine.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Hello Jim, In dealing with the Buduh magic square it seems the Arabs or Indians worked in this medium and also in numbers whereas the Chinese who invented the magic square only used numbers. It appears that a sort of techno bounce back occurred where the essence of the numerical system was exported in some cases incorrectly numbered but the Arab mathematicians figured it out and sent back corrections so to speak... In addition they invented a letter equivalent structure the Chinese never had.

Please See;
http://www.chinesehsc.org/downloads/...s_in_china.pdf

The above reference was written by a specialist American master; Professor Camman, and is very much worth reading as he refers to the Arab influence to and from China through trade via India and direct . In consequence the system was given by the Arabs to the Europeans via Spain thus we have pollination of magic squares right across the known world at the time..

http://hypernumber.blogspot.com/2015...n-islamic.html describes an interesting narrative and in the final paragraph offers the potential name of an Arab philosopher who may have been one of the people to give this technology to the Europeans.

I placed a Biography at http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hropologically of the author to the paper above on the Chinese link and the thread also has interesting examples of other magic inscriptions / marks.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Reading my own references again I note that the Buduh square is the one with the letters and is logically named Buduh as per the detail at Reference below according to the letters inscribed in the corners of the Buduh square.

http://hypernumber.blogspot.com/201...in-islamic.html


The numbers were written in the abjad letter-numerals, and because the four corners of this square contained the letters ba', dal, waw [or u], and ha', this particular square became known as the buduh square.


Note; (The Abjad numerals are a decimal numeral system in which the 28 letters of the Arabic alphabet are assigned numerical values.) but for finer detail please look up abjad letter-numerals on the web.

[Oliver Pinchot]

The inscriptions read as follows:

Upper cartouche: Abbas, Servant of the Ruler of the Nation

This is a very typical formula and is found on the preponderance of such blades.


Lower cartouche: Work of Zaman Isfahani


A known, but not common, maker. Zaman of Isfahan is often referred to as the "son of Assad Allah" but that, like most of the lore, should be taken as praise, rather than representing a literal relationship.


The lateral inscription: Victory from Allah and conquest nigh!

This is a popular Islamic phrase often found on weapons.

An above average blade, congratulations to its owner.

[Edster]

Great topic, Jim.

I could add what Julie Anderson describes as a waqf 3X3 Magic Number block and Koranic text on an elaborate Ali Dinar kaskara sword in her article available on the EAA Geographical Index.

Snakes have talismanic qualities including stealth and quickness as shown on one of Reed's sketches as well as examples submitted by EAA members.

Silver dress on swords are supposed to protect users from knife attack, and copper wire and inlays will work to a lesser extent.

The fly, cross & orb, and rampant cat, Solingen blade makers marks have been given qualities of manliness and bravery by Kassala bladesmiths.

These examples are from only Sudanese kaskara motifs within the Islamic context. No doubt other observers will other symbolic meanings including the cross motifs in Christian contexts that call on Higher Powers for protection and success in battle.

Regards,
Ed

[Jim McDougall]

Thanks Ed! and great input on the Sudanese aspects of the talismanic elements in the motif on these swords. The folk religion and superstitions are often melded together with Islamic invocations etc. just as is the case across North African regions.
In the Berber regions such as with the flyssa in Kabyle and adjacent areas, the geometric designs in the Byzantine style motifs are thought to represent the fibula or as described 'Hand of Fatima' apotropaic against the evil eye.


Good notes on these aspects of the metals used in the dress on these swords as well. Thank you!

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Oliver Pinchot

The inscriptions read as follows:

Upper cartouche: Abbas, Servant of the Ruler of the Nation

This is a very typical formula and is found on the preponderance of such blades.


Lower cartouche: Work of Zaman Isfahani


A known, but not common, maker. Zaman of Isfahan is often referred to as the "son of Assad Allah" but that, like most of the lore, should be taken as praise, rather than representing a literal relationship.


The lateral inscription: Victory from Allah and conquest nigh!

This is a popular Islamic phrase often found on weapons.

An above average blade, congratulations to its owner.

Oliver thank you so much for giving us this translation from the shamshir blade I posted, which is presently being discussed as well on the concurrent thread 'shamshir translation'. It is interesting to see the Buduh square along with these cartouches.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

PLEASE SEE http://islamic-arts.org/2011/amulets...islamic-world/ for a good general description of Islamic Talismanic artefacts.