Exploring the Meaning Behind Engravings
Symbolic Trees Life and Immortality
The foot sahides of Ottoman tombstones often feature engravings of trees. Prominent among these are roses, date-palms, cypress, and pomegranates. Date-palms symbolize life and immortality, portraying fruitfulness and reproduction when adorned with multiple fruits. Pomegranates signify monotheism, supernatural powers, and are symbolic of reproduction. Cypress trees, symbolizing beauty and immortality, gained popularity during the Ottoman era, particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries. Cypress implantation ceremonies were held during this period, emphasizing eternity and stability against the wind. The evergreen nature of cypresses, along with their symbolization of patience and humility Read More about Ottoman Tombstone Symbols, is found on both male and female graves.
Golden Apple, Orange, and Grapes: Symbols of Immortality
Illustrations of fruits in a bowl are commonly engraved on head sahides and sarcophagi, expressing the wish for the deceased to enter heaven. Pomegranates, apples, pears, grapes, peaches, figs, and apricots symbolize immortality. The golden apple, in particular, represents eternal life, while grapes signify the fall season or the autumn of life, often linked to the concept of “drinking the sherbet of death.” Oranges are considered the fruit of heavenly fruit trees Turkey Customized Sightseeing.
Headgear on Male Graves
Male graves are often adorned with distinctive headgear, with the belief that it reflected the deceased’s profession. However, recent interpretations suggest that the profession stated in the epitaph and the headgear may be unrelated. Noteworthy headgear in Ottoman graveyards includes turbans worn by grand viziers, intellectuals, clerks, and the fez, introduced by Mahmut II in 1829 through the law of attire. The various turbans reflect the diverse identities and backgrounds of those laid to rest.
