A popular pattern in Turkish decorative arts, particularly textiles, was the cintamani ("auspicious jewel"). Of Buddhist origin, it consists of three balls or circles, originally representing pearls, and a pair of wavy bands, representing flames or waves of the sea. In Ottoman Turkey, the meaning had evolved into a token of good luck, with a suggestion of strength and courage through association with tiger stripes and leopard spots. Perhaps this is the type of fabric called pelengi ("leopard-like") in early Ottoman sources.

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