Editing Nakhl (section)

[[File:Nakhl fig 1.jpg|thumb|1. Drawing of a nakhl (by Goga Chelkowski) from the Yazd area ready to be carried in procession. Parts and ornamentation: 1. Four legs (paya, one shown), making a stand; 2. Poles for the bearers, forming a base for the nakhl. They represent the bier of Hossain; 3. Mirrors (aʾina); 4. Representation of a cypress tree (sarv); 5. Sadda (see text), a standard from which hang; 6. Colorful fabrics; 7. Ensigns of Hossain|272x272px]]'''Nakhl''' is one of the principal objects related to the mourning rituals commemorating the suffering and [[martyrdom]] of [[Hussain ibn Ali|Imam Hussain b. ʿAli]], the grandson of the Prophet [[Muhammad]]. It is described as a wooden structure resembling a bridal pavilion and decorated with colorful silk shawls, precious fabric, mirrors, lanterns, etc.; flowers and green branches are also added for ornamentation (picture 1). It is further described as a large, tall bier to which daggers, swords, luxurious fabric, and mirrors are attached. Sometimes such a coffin is also fashioned for a young man who has met an untimely death <ref>Dehkhoda, s.v. nakhl; Moʿin, Farhang-e farsi IV, Tehran, 1968, p. 4691</ref>. The nakhl (or nakhl-e tabut) is so called because of its resemblance to the date palm tree (nakhl), which has a tall, slender, straight trunk.[[File:Nakhl fig 2.jpg|thumb|2. The nakhl carriers awaiting the order to lift the nakhl (Photo by K. Bayegan, Mehriz, 1977).|277x277px]]