Abstract

The tulip was already known in Anatolia in the 12th century by the Seljuks who used it in ornamental decoration of art pieces. It is only in the 12th century that the tulip makes its appearance in the decorative arts of Anatolia, and it is first mentioned in literature by the13th century Turkish mystic Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi, who frequently uses the image of the tulip, as for example in the line, “Tulip soul always speaks of the tulip garden”. The fact that this flower does not appear on the coins or art of the Roman and Byzantine periods shows that it was unknown to them.