‘Healing bowls’ shed light on Turkish medical folklore

Healing bowls, which were used for centuries in the search for healing in Anatolian folk medicine before the development of modern medicine and combine the health benefits and relaxing properties of water with prayer, shed light on Turkish medical folklore as rare items.

Since ancient civilizations, an important mission was attributed to water and prayer in the search for healing. Healing bowls are believed to have emerged as a method of combating diseases whose cause was not known and diagnosis could not be found in the regions where medicine did not develop.

The main purpose of using a healing bowl was the belief that sick humans and animals would be cured by drinking water from these bowls.

Although the origins of these healing bowls are traced back to the origin of Islam, the finds show that they date back to late antiquity, the Arameans, who lived around Northern Mesopotamia and Syria in the 1st millennium B.C.

Healing bowls, the Islamic examples of which date from the 12th century to the 20th century, appear in various shapes and forms. Most of them are made of copper, bronze and brass, although rare examples of terracotta, ceramics and porcelain are also seen.

Decorated with sacred and understandable texts, such as verses and prayers, which are believed to have a protective and healing effect, the bowls were also decorated with talismans, numbers, symbols, planets and zodiac depictions. It is seen that various rituals were applied in the use of bowls according to the beliefs of each region.

Healing bowls are still in use in some countries today but have lost their widespread use in Turkey. They can be found in a collection, antique shops, museums, or exhibitions.

Collector Haluk Perk has been collecting...