Myanmar Talismanic Panel

A finely drawn Burmese talismanic textile.

The Burmese believe in the power of textiles to ward off bad luck. Their talismanic textiles are either in the form of an undershirt or as small rectangles that can be folded and carried in pockets or pouches. Stylized calligraphic text, magical squares, numerical calculations, and intricate design elements are all drawn around the outline of a human figure. These talismanic textiles are power objects believed to help ward off illness, prevent nightmares, and provide protective forces.