The green nephrite grip is carved with a rippling pattern that echoes the watered steel of the blade. The Arabic inscriptions on the blade include one verse praising the infinite gentleness and power of God and another verse referring to the sword called dhu'l-fakar. It was one of the swords of the prophet Muhammad and was widely regarded as a symbol of spiritual and political authority. Invoking dhu'l-fakar on blades like this was probably thought to serve as a talisman.
