Looking through some photos from our trip to Syria last year (I was motivated to reminisce after skimming through our just-released Syria and Lebanon guidebook), I came across these ribbons tied to the tomb of an important Islamic figure. If you travel around the Muslim world and visit mosques and shrines, you’ll soon start to notice these ribbons tied to the gate that protects the tombs venerated by worshippers. The ribbons are mostly green, which is the colour of Islam, yet, just like in my photo here, you’ll see all sorts of colors used, and sometimes you’ll even see pieces of headscarves, bandages, and even tissues and toilet paper – whatever people can get their hands on, really. Some believe it’s a sign of respect and deference, of devotion and love, and of remembrance. Others leave a ribbon after asking for something, for help, for answers, so they leave a bit of themselves. It seems to be a Shi’a custom, as Sunnis don’t believe in shrines, their graves are very simple, they believe in acting as if the deceased person were still alive, so some Sunnis find the act objectionable. One Muslim friend told me the ribbon is a sign of something that comes from within as much as it is a demonstration of an action for others to witness. The photo of the ribbons reminded me of the locks of love we’ve been seeing all over Europe, and Italy in particular over the past few months, a sign of love and affection. But it also reminded me of a song from the 1970s, which was a huge hit when I was a child, ‘Tie a yellow ribbon ’round the ole Oak tree (if you still love me)’. In this case the ribbon was also a token of remembrance and devotion.
Making connections: tokens of love and devotion, or, Tie a (yellow) ribbon ’round the…
August 17, 2008
by Lara Dunston
« Developing your travel writing career: commissions and content gathering, part 2
Making connections: traditions and rituals of love and devotion, or, When you wish upon a heart »
Categories: Uncategorized
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
MEET LARA DUNSTON
A perpetual globetrotter and travel writer who has experienced over 60 countries, authored 40+ guidebooks, and published 100s of articles for National Geographic Traveler, Wanderlust, Paperplane, Get Lost, Lifestyle+Travel, Voyageur,
Hemispheres, The Independent, Lonely Planet, DK, Footprint, Rough Guides, Insight, Thomas Cook, AA Guides, Fodors, USA Today, and more.
This blog is about the things that are cool (and not so cool) about travel, that inspire us to travel, and that are inspiring about the places we visit. It's a space for me to reflect upon my work as a travel writer, the travel media, travel publishing, and travel industry. Read more here.
Social Media
Categories
- How and Why We Travel
- Life as a Travel Writer
- Places to Travel
- Travel & Tourism Industry
- Travel and Twitter
- Travel Blogging
- Travel Gripes
- Travel Guides
- Travel Ideas and Inspiration
- Travel Industry
- Travel Insights and Reflections
- Travel Lists and Tips
- Travel Lit
- Travel Media
- Travel Tech and Gadgets
- Travel Tips
- Travel Trips and Journeys
- Travel Writing
- Travel, Food & Wine
- Trip Planning
- Uncategorized
- Writing on Travel
Recent Destinations
Loading tweets...RANDOM INSTAGRAMS
Search
2 comments
Jessie V says:
August 17, 2008 at 10:18 PM (UTC 10 )
What fascinating cultural contexts. I enjoyed reading this!
Lara Dunston says:
August 18, 2008 at 11:13 AM (UTC 10 )
Thanks, Jessie. Much appreciated.
I’m sure there’s a lot more to explore on the topic. I have a feeling tying ribbons and strings to trees and other things goes back a lot further than the US civil war but that’s a start…