Alam (finial) explained

An 'alam (Arabic: علَم|lit=flag) or alem (Turkish: alem) is a standard or flagpole in Islamic culture, typically topped by an ornate metal finial.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} The word 'alam is used generally to denote a banner but in the context of Islamic art it can refer to examples of the metal finials.^{[5] [6] [7]}

This type of flagpole is often used by Shi'a Muslims in religious processions or ceremonial functions, as well as by groups and states in Iran (e.g. the Safavids) and the Indian subcontinent.^{[8] [9]} In Ottoman Turkish, the corresponding word alem means a military banner consisting of a tall pole (sap) with a silk flag or banner (sancak) topped by a metal finial (saifa). In modern Turkish, sancak can apply to the whole standard and not simply the fabric of the banner. The word alem came to be applied to the decoration at the top of the flagpole.

The word also came to be applied to the architectural device which caps a minaret, dome of a mosque or minber (pulpit). It may incorporate an Islamic emblem of the crescent (with star), a tulip or other shape. The central Asian tugh with yak or horse hair (instead of a flag) can also be topped by an alem. Miniatures from the Seljuk era show gilded finials on top of tentpoles.

One or more metal protective cases or boxes (Turkish: muhafazas) - often octagonal - containing a diminutive copy of the Qur'an were attached below the alem by a cord or chain.

See also

• Flags of the Ottoman Empire
• Flags of the Mughal Empire

References

Citations

Sources

• Book: Coffey , Heather . . 2010 . Between Amulet and Devotion: Islamic Miniature Books in the Lilly Library . Gruber . Christiane J. . The Islamic Manuscript Tradition: Ten Centuries of Book Arts in Indiana University Collections . Indiana University Press . https://books.google.com/books?id=lIY0oAd6Y40C&pg=PA81 . 9780253353771.

External links

• Turkish alem makers. Anadolujet. Retrieved 15 May 2015
• Ottoman flag finials

Notes and References

1. Book: Masterpieces from the Department of Islamic Art in the Metropolitan Museum of Art . Metropolitan Museum of Art . 2011 . 978-1-58839-434-7 . Ekhtiar . Maryam D. . New York . 406 (see also 243) . en . Soucek . Priscilla P. . Canby . Sheila R. . Haidar . Navina Najat.
2. Book: Kadoi, Yuka . Encyclopaedia of Islam, Three . Brill . 2014 . 9789004161658 . Fleet . Kate . Flags . Krämer . Gudrun . Matringe . Denis . Nawas . John . Rowson . Everett.
3. Web site: Standard (Alem) . 2022-07-04 . The Met . Metropolitan Museum of Art.
4. Book: Panaite, Viorel . Ottoman Law of War and Peace: The Ottoman Empire and Its Tribute-Payers from the North of the Danube. Second Revised Edition . Brill . 2019 . 978-90-04-41110-4 . en.
5. Web site: Standard ('Alam) . 2022-07-04 . Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers.
6. Web site: 'Alam . 2022-07-04 . The Walters Art Museum . en.
7. Web site: Processional Standard ('Alam) . 2022-07-04 . The Met . Metropolitan Museum of Art.
8. Book: Behrens-Abouseif . Doris . Islamic Art in the 19th Century: Tradition, Innovation, And Eclecticism . Vernoit . Stephen . Brill . 2006 . 978-90-04-14442-2 . en.
9. Book: D’Souza, Diane . https://books.google.com/books?id=QCO6BwAAQBAJ&dq=%27alam+metalwork&pg=PT120 . Partners of Zaynab: A Gendered Perspective of Shia Muslim Faith . University of South Carolina Press . 2014 . 978-1-61117-378-9 . en . The Alam - A Symbol of Presence.