A beautiful Alam, decorated with floral motifs, Thuluth and Kufic script.
17th century AD, Isfahan, Iran
In the Museum of Islamic Civilisation, Sharjah
This is a representation of the standard / banner carried by Hazrat Abbas in the Battle of Karbala.
In Arabic and Persian, the word ʿalam means a distinctive sign, mark, or banner. In Persian, it also means a standard or flag.
The Turks also use ʿalam to mean a national or religious symbol, like the crescent, which was once an emblem in Persia.
Throughout history, banners have evolved in shape and function, showing connections to ancient Persian symbols, especially astral signs. Mongol traditions influenced Persian banners, especially the tūq—a military and mystical symbol made of animal hair on a pole.
Banners became important in Shiite rituals, especially after the Safavids established Twelver Shiism as the state religion.
