From the İznik tiles adorning the walls of Topkapı Palace to the silk kaftan on the Sultan’s back, from the Tughra drawn on a ferman to the banner carried by the army, the Ottoman Empire was a civilization that conversed through colors. The colors used in the palace and state organization were never accidental or merely aesthetic choices; each was part of a complex language of symbols carrying deep meanings, expressing status, power, religion, and politics. The meaning of colors in the Ottoman Empire was a silent alphabet that needed to be read to understand how an empire saw itself and what message it conveyed to the world. To decipher this alphabet is to embark on a journey into the soul of the Ottomans, seeing sovereignty in red, loyalty in green, and eternity in blue.
The Language of Colors: The Importance of Symbolism in the Ottoman Palace
The use of colors in the Ottoman palace was built upon a strict hierarchy and protocol. Who could wear which color, and which color could be used in which ceremony, was determined by laws (kanunnames) and traditions. Color was like an identity card, indicating a person’s social status, their class (military, ulema, civilian), and even their mood. This visual language was a tool that allowed messages to be conveyed most quickly and effectively in a society with low literacy rates. The color of the kaftan worn by the Sultan could reflect the mood of the state on that day; the color of a kaftan gifted to an ambassador could contain a diplomatic message. Therefore, colors in Ottoman art were not merely dyes but also one of the most important instruments of political and social power.
The Color of Sovereignty and Power: Red
At the pinnacle of Ottoman color symbolism, red and its shades indisputably held their place. Red was the color of sovereignty, dynasty, power, war, and absolute authority. This color was so closely identified with the person of the Sultan that its use was strictly controlled.
Uses of Red, from Sultan’s Kaftans to Banners
The most prominent area of red’s use was seen among Sultan’s kaftans and colors. Most of the kaftans worn by Sultans during ceremonies were made from bright red wool called “çuhâ-i surh” or red silk fabrics woven with gold and silver threads called “kemha.” This dazzling red instantly made the Sultan distinguishable within crowds, emphasizing his inviolable and exalted position. Banners symbolizing the Empire’s sovereignty were also generally red. The crescent and star embroidered on a red background were the most fundamental visual elements forming the Empire’s identity. Furthermore, the red color of the Sultan’s throne and his imperial tent (otağ) also demonstrated this color’s inseparable link with sovereignty.
Emphasis on War, Conquest, and Dynasty
The political meanings of red were not limited solely within the palace walls. This color also symbolized war, blood, conquest, and the dynamism of the dynasty. The red banners carried by the army when setting off on campaigns were a challenge to the enemy and a declaration of the desire for victory. The color was used as a psychological weapon, creating fear and pressure on the enemy. Red was also a vital color representing the blood of the dynasty and the continuity of its lineage. The ink of a ferman or an important state document being red indicated that the document directly reflected the Sultan’s will and held the highest level of importance.
Representation of Loyalty and Paradise: Green
If red represented worldly power and authority, green symbolized spiritual authority, loyalty, fertility, and sanctity. Green, which holds the most important place in the symbolism of colors in Islam, was also used with this sacred meaning in the Ottoman palace.
Green as the Color Identified with Hürrem Sultan
The popularity of the color green in the palace is particularly notable due to the association between Hürrem Sultan and the color green. It is no coincidence that Hürrem Sultan, the lawfully wedded wife of Suleiman the Magnificent, was frequently depicted in green garments in her portraits and illustrations. Green, on one hand, symbolized paradise and eternal happiness, while on the other, it represented the continuity of lineage and fertility. Hürrem Sultan’s preference for this color can be interpreted as a symbolic choice that reinforced her position as a mother who gave heirs to the dynasty and her place alongside the Sultan. This was also an expression emphasizing her piety and deep-rooted place in Islamic culture.
Religious References and the Color of the Sacred
The true power of green comes from its direct association with the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his lineage (Ahl al-Bayt). Green is considered the color of Islam and was thus seen as the most sacred color. In the palace, it was a privilege for those from the Prophet’s lineage (sayyids and sharifs) to wear green turbans. The dominance of green in the reliquaries and coverings of the Sacred Relics Department at Topkapı Palace is the most tangible example of this color’s connection to sanctity. The abundant use of green in calligraphic panels within mosques, in tombs, and in the illumination art of religious books aimed to add a spiritual depth and sanctity to that space or text.
Symbol of Wisdom, Authority, and Eternity: Blue and Navy
Shades of blue and navy, evoking the infinity of the sky and the sea, represented divine wisdom, nobility, authority, and the eternal nature of the state in Ottoman symbolism. Unlike the dynamic power of red, it symbolized a calmer, deeper, and more lasting authority.
The Dominance of Blue from Iznik Tiles to State Correspondence
The most magnificent use of blue’s symbolic power was undoubtedly in Topkapı Palace tiles. Especially the cobalt blue and turquoise dominant in 15th and 16th-century Iznik tiles transformed the palace walls into veritable sky gardens. This blueness not only added a sense of spaciousness and beauty to the space but also created a divine atmosphere, conveying the message that the Sultan’s authority originated from the heavens. The fact that the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is known as the “Blue Mosque” also stems from this spiritual effect created by the tens of thousands of blue tiles adorning its interior. Furthermore, the writing of some important firmans or state correspondence from the Imperial Council (Divan-ı Hümayun) in blue ink also demonstrated this color’s connection to the state’s enduring and high authority.
Color Codes by Status: Other Colors in the Palace Hierarchy
In addition to red, green, and blue, other colors were also used to express the complex social hierarchy and different situations in the palace.
Colors of Mourning and Nobility: Black and Purple
Black was generally accepted as the color of mourning, solemnity, and seriousness. However, it also represented wisdom and dignity, especially in the robes worn by the ulema class. Purple, on the other hand, had its origins with Byzantine emperors and was an extremely rare and expensive color. Because it was very difficult to obtain, purple garments were seen as a privilege of the highest nobility and members of the dynasty.
Purity, Cleanliness, and Gold Leaf Decorations
White symbolized purity, cleanliness, innocence, and new beginnings. It was common to wear white kaftans during ceremonies, especially during holiday greetings. Gold and yellow, beyond being colors themselves, were symbols of wealth, divine light, and the sun. Decorations made especially with gold leaf (tezhip) would elevate the value and sanctity of a text or a space to the highest level. The drawing of the Sultan’s Tughra in gold emphasized how precious and brilliant his will was.
Beyond Colors: Patterns and Their Meanings
The meaning of colors in the Ottoman Empire often formed a whole together with the patterns embroidered on them. Color provided the spirit of the pattern, and the pattern reinforced the meaning of the color.
The Language of Tulip, Carnation, and Çintemani Motifs
- Tulip: Due to its letters having the same numerical value as the word “Allah” in Abjad numerology, it symbolized Allah and ‘wahdaniyyah’ (oneness). It was also a symbol of the Ottoman dynasty.
- Carnation: It represented beauty, spring, renewal, and love.
- Çintemani: This motif, consisting of three dots and two wavy lines, was an ancient Turkic-Mongol symbol representing power, might, and fortune. Its frequent use on Sultan’s kaftans emphasized his warrior strength and monarchical charisma.
In conclusion, color in the Ottoman palace was a silent yet extremely powerful communication tool. The political ideology, religious beliefs, and social structure of an empire were embedded into walls, fabrics, and papers through colors and patterns.
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Tags: Ottoman Color Symbolism, Meanings of Colors, Sultan’s Kaftans, Islamic Art, Topkapı Palace, Hürrem Sultan, Tile Art, Ottoman Culture, Political Meanings of Colors, Ottoman Art
