Kalkanlar

Kalkanlar is the Turkish term for shields, the protective devices carried by soldiers to defend the body from blows and projectiles. The word kalkan is singular; kalkanlar is the plural form. Shields have appeared in many cultures throughout history, and in Turkish and Ottoman contexts they are associated with both battlefield use and ceremonial or symbolic imagery.

Construction and varieties have varied by era and culture. Traditional kalkanlar were typically made with a wooden core, often birch or alder, covered in leather or rawhide, and sometimes reinforced with metal fittings or rims. A central boss, usually of metal, helped deflect blows and controlled impact. Shapes ranged from circular and oval to more rectangular forms, with the size adapting to the intended use—larger shields for infantry or cavalry, smaller bucklers for hand-to-hand defense or parrying.

Function and use extend beyond protection. In warfare, shields were used to form defense lines, to absorb blows, and sometimes in close combat for pushing or striking. In Ottoman art and heraldry, shields appear as decorative motifs and symbols of identity and status. In modern times, the term kalkanlar can refer to riot shields and other protective barriers used by security forces, as well as to replicas in museums and recreations.

Kalkanlar thus cover a broad category of protective devices, reflecting both practical military needs and cultural representations across Turkish history.