Haykal (pentacle talisman) and da'ira (circle)

This is an unidentified circular shaped talisman surrounding a pentacular talisman. I do not know if these were drawn by Bahá'u'lláh himself. Da'ira and haykal both mean "talisman," the former being specifically a circular talisman and the latter being (usually) pentacular or square. Peter Smith explains that "the idea that physical object can provide the wearer with some form of supernatural protection" is common in religions around the world. "The Bab instructed his followers to make and wear talismans, and there are numerous references to these in his writings." While the Bahá'í teachings de-emphasize such esoteric practices, there are prayers and other Writings that mention or provide talismanic protection. (Concise Encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith, q.v. talisman) Khazeh Fananapazir adds that in the Persian Bayan the Bab refers to men as "those who possess the hayákil ('ulu'l-hayákil)" and women as "those who possess the dawá'ir ('ulu'l-dawá'ir)" (bayán-i fársí IV:4-5).

Behrooz Behbodi writes: "The scanned page, symbol and the prayer that is shown on this page are not the work of his holiness the Bab but is the prayer for protection revealed by Blessed beauty. His holiness the Bab has a very similar prayer but with only 7 circles and no star at the middle." (Personal email, 2003-10-06)

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