The Hurrem Sultan Ring

Here’s a little history for you…Hurrem Haseki Sultan was born Ukrainian, and led a very colourful life that has preserved her in history books. She was captured as a slave by the Crimean Tatars and later taken into the harem of Sultan Suleyman of Istanbul. She soon became his favourite and the Sultan overthrew his first wife and son for her. Being the clever woman she was, Hurrem converted to Islam to impress her master, and then refrained from having sex with him as her new reilgion forbade her from doing so with a man she was not married to. The Sultan abstained for a few days, but could not resist her charm. Hurrem (meaning ‘the cheerful one’) went on to marry the Sultan and had five children with him. Today she is remembered as one of the most powerful women in Ottoman history.

Hurrem Sultan was recently brought back to the spotlight through Turkey’s highly acclaimed drama called ‘Muhtesem Yuzyil’ (or ‘Magnificent Century’). Hurrem Sultan was cast by the beautiful Meryem Uzerli. The drama not only popularized the actress (who I think looks freakishly identical to Drew Barrymore), but also what is now known as the Hurrem Sultan ring. You can find it all over the net, and I found many variations of it on my last visit to Sharjah Gold Souk.

I haven’t bought the Hurrem Sultan ring yet, but I have the pendant. Think I need the ring, and maybe a pair of earrings too, to make a set!

- Big Sis.