The mysterious legacy of the Ottomans: ‘The enchanted sultan’s shirt’ is intended to be gifted to the President.

Associate Professor İlyas Kayaokay, who works at Munzur University, purchased a rare ‘Talismanic Sultan’s Shirt’ from the Ottoman period at an auction. Kayaokay stated that the shirt is an important Ottoman heritage believed to protect the wearer from evil and diseases, and he wants to present this historical artifact to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Associate Professor İlyas Kayaokay from Munzur University has purchased a rare artifact known as the ‘Talismanic Sultan’s Shirt’ from the Ottoman period at an auction. Kayaokay, known for his studies on historical manuscripts, announced that he wants to present this talismanic shirt, considered one of the most mysterious and intriguing objects of the Ottoman Empire, believed to have been worn by sultans and state officials, to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He expressed that very few of these artifacts have survived to the present day, which are believed to protect the wearer from evil and diseases and grant spiritual power, and he aims to preserve the spiritual heritage of Ottoman culture by acquiring this shirt, which can only be seen in some museums like the Topkapi Palace.

“I had an interest in objects from the Ottoman period”
Associate Professor İlyas Kayaokay stated that the talismanic shirt is believed to protect individuals, saying, “I have been working on manuscript artifacts for years. I was collecting items from bookstores, auctions, and manuscripts. I also had an interest in objects from the Ottoman period. I collect various talismanic and healing artifacts. I came across a shirt at an auction that caught my attention. Initially, I thought it wouldn’t be original, and I didn’t have that intention when purchasing it. When the artifact arrived, I saw that there were some indicators. From its colors, brush strokes, and when I examined talismanic shirts made during the Ottoman period, there seemed to be a possibility that this could be original. An expert needs to examine it. However, we know that there were sultan shirts in the Ottoman period. We know that there were talismanic shirts for Cem Sultan, Murad III, Selim II, and Mehmet III. Talismanic shirts serve the purpose of protecting the wearer, providing healing, and ensuring victory in wars. These shirts are not produced for just one individual. They are also works of art. When these are made, initially the palace astrologers determine the auspicious time for the sultan before the shirt is inscribed. The talismanic shirt made for Cem Sultan starts on March 30, 1477, and its construction is completed on March 29, 1480. There is also the existence of a shirt made for Atatürk,” he said.

Expressing his desire to gift the shirt to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Kayaokay stated, “These are works prepared with the collaboration of dervishes, sheikhs, calligraphers, painters, and astrologers. Verses are selected, talismans are made, and they are inscribed onto the shirt. Various Kabbalistic signs and motifs are also visible. This is a very vibrant talismanic shirt. It is made from a paper-like fabric (tanned leather). Such shirts are worn only once and are believed to provide healing. I think the weight of this shirt is heavy. If it is original, it is something priceless. Because we can only find its examples in the Topkapi Palace Museum. Very few exist in the hands of such individuals. I humbly do not see myself worthy of preserving it, as it is very precious to me. When looked at in terms of its construction and cut, I think it is worthy of our President at the top of our state. If they approve, I would like to present it to them. At the same time, I would also like to present the Quran, which is at least 300 years old, along with the talismanic shirt to our President,” he added.