Journal of Islamic Mysticism

Leila Gholampour Ahangarkolayi[1]
Shahin Ojaq Alizade[2]
Analysis of the Mandala Symbol in Attarchr('39')s Manteq Al-Tair from Jungchr('39')s Psychological Perspective

abstract:

The mandala is one of the most ancient human symbols and represents the origin of creation Which is based on the order between the unity of opposites (matter and spirituality). 

Since the footprint of the mandala symbol is evident in the structure and final conclusion of Manteq Al-Tair, This article intends to examine the similarities between the symbol in Attarchr('39')s Manteq Al-Tair and Jungchr('39')s psychology.

According to the results, seekers in Manteq Al-Tair are looking for the previously forgotten order, ie the unity of spirituality and matter in the center of the universe (Mount Qaf).

For Jung, the symbolism of mandalas is important in two ways; (1) Restoring the former order (comparable to the unity of matter and spirituality or the unity of thirty chickens and ostriches in the bird area) and (2) The purpose of its creator is to shape something new and unique that did not exist before(Creative and symbolic embodiment of thirty chickens with Simorgh to show the forgotten order, ie the unity of matter and spirituality in Manteq Al-Tair) both of which are interdependent. For Jung Mandala, it is a symbol of perfection, not perfection, and it occurs in only a few people; as in Manteq Al-Tair, only thirty of the thousands of chickens reached to Completeness, not perfection. 

Keywords: Completeness; Attar; Perfection; Mandala; Manteq Al-Tair.