Mevlana Rumi: The Poet of Love and Unity
Discover the timeless wisdom of the world's most beloved poet and mystic
Mevlana Jalaladdin Rumi was born on September 30, 1207, in Balkh, which is now part of Afghanistan. In the introduction to his famous work, the Masnavi, he identified himself as Muhammad, son of Muhammad, son of al-Husayn, from Balkh.
Ya Hazreti Mevlana (The Etnography Museum of AnkaraThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
Although his real name was Muhammad, Rumi was known by several different names, including his nickname Jalaladdin and the title Mevlana, which means "our master" and is widely used in Türkiye and Iran.
Mevlevi Tekke Calligraphy (Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi) (Galata Mevlevihanesi Museum)The Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
Rumi is his best-known pen name, which comes from the Arabic word for "Roman." He earned this name because he spent most of his life in the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum in Anatolia, which was once part of the Eastern Roman Empire.
Rumi's father, Bahaeddin Veled, was a renowned scholar known as the "Lord of Scholars" in Balkh. Due to conflicts with other scholars and the Mongol threat, Bahaeddin Veled migrated to Anatolia with his family.
In 1228, Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I invited Bahaeddin Veled and his family to Konya. After Bahaeddin Veled's death in 1231, Rumi took over his father's position as a teacher at the madrasa and gained a growing number of followers and admirers.
Holy Qur'an (d. 1314) (Mevlana Museum) (1314) by İsmail Bin YusufThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
Rumi was an expert in Islamic law, interpretation of the Quran, hadith, Islamic theology, Arabic, Indian, and Persian literature, Greek language, and philosophy.
Shamsi Tabrizi's Headdress (Tac-ı Şerif) (Mevlana Museum)The Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
Meeting Shams-i Tabrizi in 1244 was a watershed moment in Rumi's life. Once a popular, learned, and reserved scholar, Rumi withdrew from society to have philosophical discussions with Shams.
Mevlevi Tekke Calligraphy (Ya Hazret-i Şemsi Tebrizi Kuddise Sırruhu) (Galata Mevlevihanesi Museum)The Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
Rumi's family and disciples disapproved of his relationship with Shams, as he neglected his work to spend time with him. In 1247, Shams disappeared without a trace, and there is speculation that he may have been killed.
The First Four Couplets of Masnavi by Hattat Yesarizade Mustafa İzzetThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
From Rumi's Mathnavi (Book I: 1-4)
Listen to the reed, complaining of separation in its song.
It says, "Ever since I was parted from the reed bed, my lament has caused men and women to moan. I long for a heart torn by separation, so that I may reveal to it the pain of love's desire."
Many sad and painful days passed before another Shems rose on Rumi's horizon. This was a goldsmith named Selahaddin Zerkubi. When he saw Rumi performing the Sema to the rhythm of his hammer, he joined the company of Rumi's disciples.
Masnavi's First 18 Couplets (1278)The Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
After Selahaddin Zerkubi died in 1258, Çelebi Hüsameddin became Rumi's new "Shems" (sun). He played a crucial role in recording Rumi's life and speeches, and made it possible for Rumi to finish his world-famous Masnavi.
Wooden Sarcophagus Made for Mevlana in 1274 in Kündekari TechniqueThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
When Rumi died on December 17, 1273, his tomb was built by Gürcü Hatun, the wife of Seljuk commander Süleyman Pervane, commander Alameddin Kayser, and Rumi's son, Sultan Veled.
The 25-meter-tall tomb rests on four piers and has a conical dome decorated with turquoise tiles, hence its name, the Green Dome (Kubbe-i Hadra). On the upper part of the body, the Basmala and Ayat al-Kursi are written in white calligraphy (sulus script).
Masnavi (Persian-1477-1478) (Istanbul Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum) by Ibn Muiniddin Mehmed İnayetullahThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
The Matnavi (Book I: 3935-3936)
O youth, in my death is my life, how long shall I be parted from my home? Until when?
If my stay in this world did not separate me from God, He would not have said, "Verily, we are returning to Him."
A talismanic shirt belonging to Sultan Veled, son of Mevlana, called Destegül.(Mevlana Museum)The Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
Mevlevi Order
The Mevlevi order, a Sufi sect founded in Konya by Rumi's son, Sultan Veled, and grandson, Arif Çelebi, is based on Rumi's works and life philosophy. Branches of the order were later established throughout Anatolia.
By the early 16th century, Mevlevi convents (known as Mevlevihanes) had been opened throughout the Ottoman Empire.
Neyzen Tevfik's Ney (Reed) (Mevlana Museum)The Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
The Mevlevi School of Thought was an independent branch of Turkish-Islamic philosophy that produced masters in all branches of art, especially music and calligraphy.
a mulberry leaf calligraphy with the inscription Ali, Fatima (Konya Mevlana Museum)The Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
A calligraphy of the names Ali and Fatima on a mulberry leaf (Konya Mevlana Museum).
Sema CeremonyThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
Every year on December 17, Şeb-i Arus (Night of Union or Wedding Night) is celebrated to commemorate Rumi. The ceremonies feature several activities that have become part of the tradition.
The Semah ceremony, also known as Sema Ayin-i Şerifi, is a traditional Sufi dance performed by whirling dervishes to the accompaniment of Sufi music, usually featuring ney (reed) players.
Sema CeremonyThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
The semazen begins the dance with his arms crossed across his chest, then takes off his waistcoat, a symbolic act of purification. The ceremony typically takes place on a round floor, which represents the universe.
Sema CeremonyThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
The semazen then slowly spreads his arms to the sides, embracing the universe. The ritual continues, with the right hand extended upward and the left hand extended downward.
This symbolizes receiving from God and letting the blessings flow through the heart to be shared with the world.
A talismanic shirt belonging to Sultan Veled, son of Mevlana, called Destegül.(Mevlana Museum)The Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
Take a 360° tour of the Galata Mevlevi Museum to learn more about the Mevlevi Order.
The Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
