Water of Life and Belief in Immortality

Water of Life is a mythological concept symbolizing the quest for immortality across various civilizations. In Turkish, this term is also known as "Bengü Su," derived from the combination of the Persian word "âb" (water) and the Arabic word "hayât" (life), forming "âb-ı hayât." This water is regarded as a mystical source that grants eternal life to those who drink it. In some narratives, it is used synonymously with concepts such as "âb-ı câvidânî" and "hayat çeşmesi." It is commonly believed to be difficult to attain and located in legendary places such as the Land of Darkness.

Depiction of a Sage and Two Deer at the Water of Life (Generated by Artificial Intelligence)

Mythological Foundations

One of the earliest expressions of the Water of Life belief appears in the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh. In the epic, the hero Gilgamesh searches for immortality and retrieves the plant of life from the bottom of the water; however, the plant is stolen by a serpent, and Gilgamesh fails to attain his goal. This narrative became foundational for subsequent quests for immortality.

In the legend intertwined with Islamic tradition, Alexander the Great embarks on a journey toward the Land of Darkness alongside Khidr (in some variants, Elyasa) in search of the âb-ı hayât. Khidr drinks from this water and becomes immortal, while Alexander fails to reach it. This theme is elaborated in great detail in the Iskendernâmes.

Indirect Reflections in the Qur’an and Hadiths

Between verses 60 and 82 of Surah Al-Kahf, the story of Prophet Moses and Khidr mentions a spring beneath a rock known as "aynü’l-hayât." According to tradition, a fish that came back to life in this spring led to the belief that Khidr had drunk from this source and thereby attained divine knowledge and immortality. This account has been associated in popular tradition with the motif of the Water of Life.

Sufi Interpretation

In Sufi thought, the Water of Life is not understood as biological immortality but as spiritual rebirth and union with divine knowledge. Within the framework of the "Four Gates and Forty Stations," âb-ı hayât symbolizes access to the gates of gnosis and truth. This source, identified with "ilm-i ledün," represents the inner transformation of those who attain the knowledge of the Divine.

In Alevi-Bektashi poetry, âb-ı hayât is frequently employed metaphorically. Poets such as Nesîmî and Usûlî imbue this water with meanings such as "the light of truth," "the source of love," or "the secret of eternal existence." In Sufi texts, Khidr is depicted as the figure who finds this water and embodies truth.

Role in Literature and Proverbs

In Persian literature, the concept of âb-ı hayât is equated with the lips or speech of the beloved. Classical poets such as Hâfız, Sâdî, and Sâ’ib-i Tebrizî employ âb-ı hayât in this context to metaphorically convey immortality through love.

In Turkish literature, Ahmedî’s work İskendernâme conveys the theme of âb-ı hayât through the story of Alexander and Khidr. Later poets developed this motif along the axes of metaphor, love, and mysticism. Additionally, among the people, expressions such as "he must have drunk the Water of Life" are used metaphorically to describe individuals who live exceptionally long lives or appear youthful.

The belief in the Water of Life has been interpreted in diverse ways from antiquity to the present as a profound mythological and cultural motif symbolizing humanity’s quest for immortality. Across numerous narratives—from Gilgamesh to Alexander, from Khidr to the spiritual journeys of Sufism—this water is depicted as a source of life, whether material or spiritual.