20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Knotted silk wishing cloths await a devotee to untie a knot to grant wishes, Lalish Temple, Iraq

Silken cloths hang from columns in an entry hall of Lalish Temple. Tying knots on cloths is a type of "pass the favor on" custom. A devotee ties a knot to make a wish. Then he opens a knot previously tied by someone else. Release of this knot answers the prayers and wishes of the devotee who tied the knot.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 03.2019
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Al-Shikhan, Iraq
Camera: DMC-FZ70
Copyright: © Marilyn Adelman