Yunus Emre and Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi deeply explore themes of love, the soul, existence, and unity with the creator through the use of water. The water metaphor also symbolizes the transformation in a person's journey of existence, their inner journey, and the discovery of divine love. In Sufi thought, water is not just a source of life but also a tool to reach spiritual maturity and unity with the creator. These metaphors delve into the depths of Sufism, describing how a person evolves spiritually, unites with God, and ultimately integrates with existence.
Water Metaphor in Yunus Emre’s Poems
Yunus Emre, one of the prominent figures in Turkish Sufism, uses water as a profound and multi-layered metaphor in his poems. In his works, water is often symbolized as the quest, the transformation, and ultimately the unity with God. In Sufi terms, water represents the passage from the material world to the spiritual world, where one sheds their ego to reach God. The different forms of water in Yunus Emre’s poems symbolize the stages of a person’s spiritual journey:
- Katre (Drop): Water is first depicted as a drop. This drop symbolizes the beginning of a person’s journey, the first step in their quest. This small drop takes the first step to merge with a vast ocean, representing God’s power. The drop also indicates the narrow perspective and limited knowledge a person initially possesses on their spiritual journey.
- Pınar (Spring): A spring symbolizes a larger source of water. In Yunus Emre’s poems, the spring represents the evolving stage of a person’s spiritual journey, signifying wisdom and inner enlightenment. At this stage, one reaches a broader understanding and a deeper awareness of God and humanity. The spring, with its continuous flow, invites one to a spiritual quest and offers a fresh source to the person’s soul.
- Irmak (River): A river represents a step further along the spiritual journey, indicating a state closer to inner peace. Since a river is a flowing and dynamic water source, it symbolizes continuous development and change. At this stage, a person is constantly advancing spiritually, continuing their search and turning towards God. The river is also linked with the flow of time, symbolizing the deeper inner transformation a person undergoes over time.
- Deniz (Sea): The sea is the final stage of the water metaphor in Yunus Emre’s poems. The sea points to a vastness, depth, and infinity that encompasses all. Reaching the sea symbolizes the annihilation of the individual ego, unity with God, and the point of "fena" (self-annihilation). Here, water neither flows nor makes sound; it represents the end of the search, a state of calmness and peace. The person fully surrenders to God’s presence and becomes the essence of all.
Yunus Emre’s water metaphor serves as a symbol for understanding Sufi teachings and the human spiritual journey. Water encompasses not only life but also death and transformation. The flow of water in his poems parallels the evolution of a person’s inner journey, narrating a process that moves from the narrow perspective to the ultimate unity with God.
Water Metaphor in Mevlana's Masnavi
Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi uses water as a symbol of both love and unity with existence in his works, deeply exploring its metaphorical meanings. In Mevlana’s Masnavi, water carries multi-layered meanings and intertwines with many Sufi concepts. Mevlana uses water to describe both love and the relationship between human existence and God. His water metaphor symbolizes both an individual journey and a cosmic unity.
- Love Metaphor: Mevlana uses the water metaphor to describe divine love. According to Mevlana, water is a symbol of love, and the water of love is identical with God's love. Mevlana compares the fluidity of water to the nature of love, which constantly drives a person to seek. Water symbolizes the existence and continuously renewing nature of love. A person must direct their inner love correctly and offer it to others. The proper use of love is associated with keeping the water pure. If love goes astray, the water becomes polluted, and the bond remains unfulfilled. This is expressed in Mevlana’s metaphor, "If the water is polluted, the vineyard will be thirsty." Here, the correct direction of love symbolizes the search for God and union with the right person.
- Universe Metaphor: Mevlana compares the universe to pure water. Water is the fundamental essence of everything created, a mirror that reflects God's attributes and power. Water, in its pure and clear form, carries the essence of beings and helps us see the essence of all things. This metaphor is another important symbol Mevlana uses to understand creation and grasp God’s power. Water represents both life and cosmic unity.
- Soul Metaphor: Mevlana divides a person into two elements: body and soul. The body is described as a structure made from a mixture of water and earth, while the soul is compared to the water within this body. Mevlana’s water metaphor teaches that the soul of a person must be pure and clear. Water symbolizes a person’s inner world, heart, and soul. The body carries the water, the outward manifestation of the soul. However, according to Mevlana, a person is a complete being not only in their soul but also in their body. Water and earth together form a person’s integrity.
- Death and Rebirth: Mevlana associates death with water. The water in the body eventually returns to its origin, meaning it dies. The soul, however, rises towards God. The relationship between water and earth symbolizes the transitory nature of the physical body and the eternity of the soul. Mevlana uses the relationship between water and earth to explain that death is merely a process of transformation. When the body is discarded, water reaches the celestial realms where the soul returns to its original state.
