Rumi's Favorite Color

If you're a fan of the renowned 13th-century Persian poet Jalal ad-Din Rumi, you might be curious about his personal preferences, including his favorite color. While Rumi, known for his intricate poetry, didn't explicitly mention his favorite color in his works like the "Mathnawi" or "Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi", we can delve into his life and teachings to gain some insights.

Rumi's life was deeply intertwined with his spiritual journey and philosophy. He believed in the unity of existence and the divine essence in all things. His poetry often reflected nature and its vibrancy, so it's not far-fetched to infer that Rumi might have been drawn to colors that symbolized life, flora, and fauna.

Rumi's Affinity for Nature

Rumi's poetry is replete with metaphors and symbols drawn from nature. He saw in nature a reflection of God's craftsmanship. Therefore, his favorite color could very well be one that is prominent in the natural world.

Green, for instance, is a color often associated with nature. It's the color of lush greenery, meadows, and gardens - all of which were frequent themes in Rumi's poetry.

Green: The Color of Life and Nature

In many of Rumi's poems, green is associated with growth, life, and the cycle of seasons. It's the color of the garden where the mystical nightingale (a symbol of the soul) seeks its beloved in his famous poem "The Reed Flute's Song".

Green also symbolizes the spiritual intoxication and enlightenment that Rumi embraced in his later life. It's the color of the garden of the dervish (a spiritual seeker), where he could find peace and understanding.

Blue: The Color of the Heavens and the Divine

While green might be associated with nature and life, blue is connected with the heavens and the divine. In many of Rumi's poems, blue represents the vastness of the sky, the sea, and the eternal realm of the afterlife.

Blue could signify the divine essence that Rumi believed exists in all things. It could also represent his longing for union with the divine, as expressed in poems like "Listen to the Reed". Here, the reed flute's lament becomes a metaphor for the soul's yearning for its spiritual home.

The Color of Whirling

Rumi's whirling dervishes are a symbol of his spiritual philosophy. The whirling dance is a physical expression of the believer's turning towards God, seeking spiritual growth and enlightenment. It's a beautiful spectacle of fluid movements and vibrant colors. Here, we find another realm where we can look for Rumi's favorite color.

During the dance, the whirling dervishes wear long white skirts, symbolizing the shroud of their ego; a black cloak, symbolizing their coffins; and a red hat, symbolizing their spiritual hearts. Together, these contrast against the green sash around the dervish's waist. Here, we find a harmonious blend of white, black, red, and green - colors that might have had a special place in Rumi's heart.

In the end, while we can't definitively say what Rumi's favorite color was, we can certainly appreciate the beauty and depth of colors in his poetry and life. Whether it's the lush green of nature, the expansive blue of the heavens, or the vibrant colors of the whirling ceremony, each color tells a story and takes us a step closer to understanding this mystical poet and his world.