Tughra of Suleiman the Magnificent

What it is

This is the tughra, or calligraphic monogram, of Suleiman the Magnificent, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1520 to 1566. It is shown here as a black line drawing with three tall vertical strokes, loops and a lattice pattern at the base, the standard form of an Ottoman sultan's seal.

Why it matters

Every official Ottoman document, law and decree issued in Suleiman's name carried this symbol instead of a simple signature. It functioned as proof of the sultan's authority and was itself a work of court art, designed and copied by skilled calligraphers. Studying the tughra shows how Ottoman rulers combined artistic design with political power to make their authority instantly recognisable.

Look closer

• Why might a ruler use an elaborate symbol like this instead of writing his own name?
• What parts of the design can you pick out — loops, strokes, patterns — and what might each represent?
• Where else today do we see symbols used to show official authority?