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The Iconography of Lions on Ottoman Copper Coins |
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PRESENTATION FOR THE ONS
MEETING IN USA, APRIL 2008 |
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PAGE 4 of 5 |
WRITTEN BY : NECDET KABAKLARLI |
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The lion and some devices on the coins of Amid and Mardin were
not armorial devices or state symbols of administration they
were rather originated from public believes and religous dogmas.
In the Persian region, sun-and-lion concept were origaneted
from the old poems, stories,fables and epopes from the
Sasanian period up to the present time. We can find the related
information in the study of Mushteba, Minavi and titled “Merci-i
Nakshi-i Shir u Hurshid ‘ Alamet-i Resmi-yi Iran”.3
Many examples of these origins and the above mentioned
information can be found in this study. The same information can
also be confirmed in the book and title “Turunch-yi Shir-i
Hurshid” written by Ahmed Kesrevi,4 and the book and
title “ Ferheng-i Esatir ve Isharet-i der Edebiyat-i Farsi”
written by Ca’fer Yahakki.5 On the contrary after the
Iran’s recognition of Islam, Shi’ism as a religous sect of Islam
became popular and was spread widely all over the Persian
region. For Shi’ism, “Khalifad” was the right of Ali and his
royal family. Obviously not only in Persia but even in Anatolia,
Imam Ali was a supernaturel public hero. Especially Bektashism,
Alevism and Hurufism movements strengted this public believes.
When the Turcomans tribes and clans migrated to Anatolia, they
lived through many difficulties to adapt themselves to their new
lives in Anatolia as they have met diffucilties in settlements.
Not having had proper religious education these tribes were
effected by wandering derwishes, poets, Bektashi dedes and other
dogmatic religous circumstances. In such a situation Imam Ali
was not only common in Bektashi and Alevi crowds but also among
the “ehl-i sunnet” (suni sect). The war stories of Imam Ali
passed around that this muslim dignitary became a public hero.
In this way, the son in law of the prophet became a sharm and
extraordinary power. The iconographily depicted pictures as
riding over a lion of Haji Bektashi Veli, who was the founder
of Bektashizm and also the spritual head of yenijeries were
depicted based on the stories told in his velayetname.6
The motives which were over the Danishmend coins were depicted a
rider over a lion.
(Image 57-58) |
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These motives are the reflections of Bektashism.
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The flag on a statue on which Ahmed Gazi was written (Mantasha)
caried by the lion.(Image 59) |
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The views depicting Ali as a divine power is the natural result
of gulāt
tradition.7 According to these extreme dogmas Imam
Ali was a manifestation on the earth. “ Allah, Muhammad and Ali”
form a sort of trinity manifesting one and the same truth and
thought of as a miraculous unity.8 This trinity is
very similar to the father, the son and the holy spirit.
According to Hurufi segment in Bektashism, the potential for
perfection present in every human beings.9 The
valuable information about Bektashizm and iconography related
with Bektashizm were given in Frederic de Jong’s hook and title
“The Iconography of Bektashizm- A Survey of Terms and Symbolizm
in Clericle Costume, Liturgical Object and Picturial Art”.10
(Image 60-63). |
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As we can see in the following coins of Akkoyunlu, they are
different from the Ottoman coins cosidering their shapes and
calligraphies.(Image 64-69). |
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