Talismanic Devices and Imbuements on Islamic Arms

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

The tradition of carrying in procession such Religious pennants attached to Alam goes back as far as can be imagined thus can be seen in artwork back to the time of the founder of Islam seen below advancing on Mecca...accompanied by his entourage and angels. Battle Alam and Islamic pennants attached therefor go back to the beginning of that religion and accompany pilgrims processions and warring groups as Talisman and inspiring soldiers and civilians alike.

The tradition of such banners and pennants does indeed go back far into history as you describe, and these artworks representing early Islam signify such importance. Often the use of banners or flags in art in itself become a symbolic device holding reference to deeper matters in the subject matter.


In Turco-Mongol and Turkic khanates, later Ottoman, the use of a standard known as a tugh, typically with mounted devices and flowing yak or horse tails was carried ahead of the forces. The word 'tug' apparently means flagstaff and in the Ottoman devices known as 'tughra', the three vertical lines on top of the symbol represent the tugh.


That the devices mounted atop these banners would carry important invocations and religious phrases is not surprising, and their symbolism augmented the character of the banner flown. This symbolism was inspirational as well as talismanically oriented and powerfully seen by those following it.


The tughra, as we know was often placed on sword blades, and in the manner of patriotic or emboldening phrases displayed the loyalty of the owner to the ruler. This was the case with many devices and symbols on blades in many cultures and circumstances.


The images are the tugh standards and the other (which looks almost amoeba like) is a tughra....the vertical lines at right represent flag staffs.