Suleiman the Lawgiver
This replica from the 16th century exhibited in your room is of one of the 87 talismanic shirts from the Collection of Sultan’s Clothing at Topkapi Palace and it is considered to have belonged to Sultan Suleiman according to the prayers, motives and meanings of the talisman on the shirt and therefore was adorned with one of his poems…
May this Talisman make your justice everlasting, clear your path; keep the evil away, give you infinite health…
He was called the Lawgiver because of his understanding of justice. He was called Suleiman the Magnificent not only in his homeland but in every end of the world, because of the actions he took…
He was an uncommon Sultan who was smart, gentle and wise; a friend for all poets; whose actions and words were kind; whose heart was home to all monetary and moral favours.
He had countless mosques, schools, baths and fountains built on almost every corner of his country. It was one of his biggest monuments, the infamous The Blue Mosque built by Sinan the Architect. During his time the grandness of Turks was proved. Great Sinan the Architect presented his grandiose work of art to his Sultan saying "Oh my Sultan, I built you such a mosque that it will stand still until the end of all times.".
He was the 10th Sultan of Ottoman Empire… He was a legend, his signature was there under everything… Prayers were said all over the homeland for him to come victorious out of every battle and continue his enthronement. A shirt was tailored for him. A shirt from cambric… Many toilsome days, months and years passed. The shirt was graced with prayers to keep its owner safe and healthy. Talisman must protect him, give him health… There was more to do for his country… On upper right and left sides of the shirt were there Seal of Solomon… It was a symbol of power and greatness… And the prayers were good wishes from God…
Suleiman was ill, he was walking, one day, along the matchlessly beautiful gardens of Topkapi Palace. All those various flowers were forerunners of spring. His love Hurrem and his country were his two biggest irreplaceable desires… Along with many other characteristics he had, Suleiman the Magnificent was a great poet; he sat, that day, at the arbour and voiced his infamous verses…
"There isn’t another respected value like power among people
Power isn’t worth as much as a breath of health in this world"
"Happiness and blessings come along with bitterness and pain in life. People may encounter many troubles and unfortunate events. However, nothing is as important as health. One single breath must be valued so much; the whole world means nothing to the dead" said Suleiman the Magnificent.
There is a poem Suleiman penned for his love Hurrem on the shirt presented in your room…
