In the Ottoman Empire, the tulip was the sultan’s symbol because the elite of this society so greatly admired the flower’s “bold colors and graceful blooms.” The tulip reflected the elegance and prestige enjoyed by the Ottomans in the 18th century, however, this prosperity was not enjoyed worldwide. For instance, in Western Europe, poverty was widespread, a supposed “punishment for being infidels.” This was a stark contrast to the Ottoman Empire, whose wealth and prosperity at this time, dubbed the “Tulip Period”, was available even to the commoners, who enjoyed taverns and coffeehouses. The Ottomans enjoyed, and had great demand, for what are today’s simple pleasures - lemons, soap, pepper, coffee, and wine, for example. As tulips were a long-admired