Religious Symbols in the Poetry Collection Paradises of Inanna by Yahya Al-Samawi

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 طالب الدکتوراه فی فرع اللغة العربیة وآدابها بجامعة کردستان، سنندج، إیران

2 الأستاذ المساعد فی قسم اللغة العربیة وآدابها، کلیة اللغة والآداب، جامعة کردستان، سنندج، إیران

Abstract

The religious symbol is a pivotal element in Arabic poetry, providing depth of meaning and aesthetic richness while exploring spiritual and metaphysical dimensions. This study examines the use of religious symbolism in Paradises of Inanna by Iraqi poet Yahya Al-Samawi, analyzing its semantic layers within the poet’s historical and cultural context. It investigates how symbols enhance aesthetic, philosophical, and social meanings, while also reflecting Sufi and historical heritage. Using a descriptive-analytical approach and stylistic criticism, the study shows that Al-Samawi draws symbols from Islamic heritage, Sufism, and Sumerian mythology, imbuing his poetry with meanings that transcend surface interpretation. These symbols convey philosophical themes of life and death, love and beauty, and the struggle between oppression and justice, enabling multiple readings from Sufi spirituality to political critique. The findings highlight how symbolism functions not only as an aesthetic device but also as a tool for reinterpreting history and evoking human values rooted in existential experience. By intertwining mythological and historical structures, Al-Samawi recontextualizes cultural heritage to address modern Arab struggles such as oppression and alienation. The study concludes that his integration of religious and mythological symbols transforms them into instruments for deconstructing reality and reconstructing it through a contemporary poetic vision.

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References

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History

  • Receive Date: 22 January 2025
  • Revise Date: 08 February 2025
  • Accept Date: 15 March 2025

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