Update Date: January 2, 2025
Who or what is the Winebringer in Hafez’s poetry, and what role does he play? How does Hafez use the Winebringer to symbolize spiritual enlightenment or divine love? What emotions or themes does Winebringer in Hafez’s poetry evoke, and how do they relate to the overall message of the poems? Welcome to GetBookOnline.com where you can read about Iran’s poetry and literature, history and culture, and learn Farsi language online with native teachers.
The Persian literature world includes a cluster of research concerning the concept of Winebringer in Hafez’s poetry. Although this famous Iranian poet had employed other words like “Jam (جام), Ghadah (قدح), Kharabat (خرابات), and different body parts,” the crucial element in his poetry is Winebringer.
Please keep reading this post, we are going to help you know who is winebringer in Hafez’s poetry (Saqi). Then you can understand the roles this mysterious figure plays in Hafez’s Ghazals.
The Role of Winebringer in Hafez’s Poetry
Winebringer or Saqi (ساقی) refers to a person who provides water to soothe people’s thirst. Winebringer in Hafez’s Poetry is always about to discuss because, according to Islamic teachings bringing and drinking wine and alcohol is forbidden.
Winebringing is not an appraised job for Muslims. Now the question is how a person like Hafez, who is the memorizer of the Quran and his Ghazals are impacted by this holy book, employs the water bringer person (ساقی آب دهنده) as a Winebringer?
The role of the Winebringer in Hafez’s Poetry is one of the mysteries, and scholars do not know why the Quran memorizer has referred to the Winebringer over 200 times in more than 120 verses.
However, they proposed various hypotheses; for instance, Hafez employed Winebringer and pious deliberately to show their confrontation. On one side, he puts the pious, who are not sincere person but this ambitious person claims to be God-fearing and righteous.
Thus, this person is contemptible and blinded by the light of worldly assets. Conversely, Winebringer in Hafez’s Poetry is modest, and pride and physical wealth have not ruined his sincere personality.
He brings wine and guarantees human happiness and joy, while the pious are detestable. Hafez Shirazi uses two words for winebringer and the pious; he employs the word COME for Winebringer, and the word GO for the pious. Then he says:
برو ای زاهد و بر دردکشان خرده مگیر
که ندادند جز این تحفه به ما روز الست
Winebringer in Hafez’s Poetry possesses a high position while the pious lack it; in other words, the Winebringer is attracting and repelling. Hafez employs the succeeding features to refer to a pious:
- Prideful;
- Selfish;
- Unwise;
- Unaware;
- And regretful.
The Characteristics of Winebringer in Hafez’s Poetry
As mentioned earlier, Hafez uses the word COME for Winebringer and refers to this figure politely. In other words, Winebringer in Hafez’s poetry, stands on the opposite side of the pious, despite this God-fearing person not being a troublemaker. Some of the significant features of Winebringer in Hafez’s Poetry are:
- Bringing the comfort of heart;
- Bing justice;
- Being wise;
- Intelligence;
- Self-denying;
- Compassionate.
The Winebringer in Hafez’s Poetry possesses the characteristics of a spiritual person and the poet says:
علاج ضعف دل ما کرشمه ساقیست
برآر سر که طبیب آمد و دوا آورد
Some researchers believe that the famous person in the wine poems of Hafez is the prophet of Islam, but it may not be accurate because, most times, Winebringer is female, and Hafez desires to kiss her lips. The poet says:
شراب تلخ صوفی سوز بنیادم ببرد آخر
لبم بر لب نه ای ساقی و بستان جان شیرینم
In these verses, Hafez asks Winebringer to kiss his lips and take his life. All in all, Hafez’s poetry is widely interpretable; some people consider him a wine drinker, while others call him the memorizer of the Quran and refer to the impact of Quran of Hafez’s poetry.
The Role of the Winebringer in Hafez’s Poetry
The winebringer in Hafez’s poetry, holds a central role as a multifaceted symbol. It represents concepts such as love, spiritual guidance, joy, and freedom, making it a recurring and profound motif in his works. Below, each aspect of the winebringer’s significance is explored in detail.
1. Winebringer as the Beloved
The winebringer often symbolizes the beloved in Hafez’s ghazals, personifying beauty, affection, and allure. Through Saqi, Hafez bridges the gap between the earthly and divine, emphasizing love’s transformative power. For example:
شراب لعل و جای امن و یار مهربان، ساقی
دلا کی به شود کارت اگر اکنون نخواهد شد
Here, the “winebringer in Hafez’s poetry” stands for the beloved’s lips (ruby wine), embrace (safe haven), and kindness (companion). This depiction ties Saqi deeply to themes of romance and passion, where the act of serving wine becomes an intimate gesture of connection. By intertwining Saqi with the beloved, Hafez creates a layered narrative that resonates with readers across time.
2. Winebringer as a Mystical Guide
In the spiritual realm, the winebringer transcends its earthly role to become a guide for the seeker’s mystical journey. Saqi’s offering of wine represents divine ecstasy, helping the seeker shed worldly attachments. By doing so, the winebringer in Hafez’s poetry becomes an agent of liberation, leading to heightened states of consciousness and unity with the divine.
3. Winebringer in Celebratory Gatherings
In Hafez’s poetry, the winebringer is also portrayed as the heart of joyous gatherings, embodying vitality and charm. Saqi’s act of serving wine brings life to these celebrations, symbolizing happiness and companionship:
کنار آب و پای بید و طبع شعر و یاری خوش
معاشر دلبری شیرین و ساقی گل‌عذاری خوش
The winebringer in Hafez’s poetry becomes a symbol of the carefree joy found in convivial settings. These depictions often reflect Hafez’s vision of a harmonious world where love and beauty reign supreme, blending earthly pleasure with spiritual undertones.
4. Saqi as a Symbol of Freedom
Hafez uses the winebringer as a metaphor for breaking free from societal and religious constraints. Calling upon Saqi and indulging in wine represents a symbolic rejection of rigid traditions. Here, the winebringer in Hafez’s poetry becomes an emblem of rebellion and spiritual liberation.
Through Saqi, Hafez invites readers to embrace individuality, question norms and pursue personal freedom. This revolutionary tone adds a philosophical depth to his poetry, resonating with audiences seeking freedom from constraints.
What Emotions or Themes Does the Winebringer Evoke in Hafez’s Poetry?
The Winebringer in Hafez’s poetry evokes many emotions and themes central to his overall message. Here are some of the emotions and themes that the Winebringer evokes:
- Joy and Celebration;
- Love and Romance;
- Spirituality and Mysticism;
- Transience and Impermanence.
Joy and Celebration
The Winebringer is often associated with joy and celebration, as he brings wine and encourages Hafez and his friends to drink and be merry. This theme of joy and celebration is central to Hafez’s overall message of living life to the fullest and enjoying the world’s pleasures.
Love and Romance
Winebringer is also associated with love and romance, as he is often depicted as a handsome and charismatic figure who captures the hearts of Hafez. The theme of love and romance is central to Hafez’s message of the importance of love and the power of love to connect people with the divine.
Spirituality and Mysticism
The Winebringer symbolizes spirituality and mysticism, representing the possibility of spiritual awakening and union with the divine. Spirituality and mysticism are central to Hafez’s overall message of seeking spiritual fulfillment and connecting with the divine.
Transience and Impermanence
The Winebringer also evokes the theme of transience and impermanence, as the pleasures of drinking wine and socializing with friends are fleeting and temporary. The theme of impermanence is central to Hafez’s overall message of the importance of transcending the material world and seeking spiritual fulfillment beyond the world’s transient pleasures.
Overall, Winebringer in Hafez’s poetry evokes a range of emotions and themes, all of which are central to his overall message of seeking spiritual fulfillment, connecting with the divine, and living life to the fullest.
Saqi in Hafez’s Poetry vs Other Poets
Hafez’s depiction of the Winebringer is similar to other poets’ depictions of similar figures in Persian literature, but it also has some unique characteristics that set it apart. Here are some ways in which Hafez’s depiction of the Winebringer compares to other poets’ depictions:
- Similarities: The depiction of the Winebringer as a symbol of spiritual enlightenment or divine love is a common theme in Persian literature, particularly in Sufi poetry. Other poets, like Rumi and Attar, also use wine to symbolize spiritual intoxication and union with the divine. The Winebringer is often portrayed as a charismatic and wise figure who connects people and helps them connect with the divine;
- Differences: While the general theme of the Winebringer is similar across Persian literature, Hafez’s depiction of this figure is unique in its emphasis on the pleasures and pitfalls of the human experience. Hafez portrays the Winebringer not only as a symbol of divine love but also as a symbol of the transience of life and the impermanence of all things. He also uses the figure of Winebringer to explore the complexities of human relationships, including themes of love, romance, and social interaction.
Overall, while the depiction of the Winebringer is a common theme in Persian literature, Hafez’s unique perspective and emphasis on the human experience sets his poetry apart from that of other poets. His focus on the pleasures and pitfalls of life and his exploration of human relationships and emotions makes his poetry particularly resonant with readers.
Why Did the Persian Poets Employ Wine and Winebringer in Their Poetry?
Persian literature is interwoven with wine, and Winebringer plays a critical role in the works of poets. They used various types of metaphors and similes for wine, so let’s discover why wine and Persian poetry have a close connection with each other.
Human beings’ Nature is inclined to joy and happiness; in other words, we like to enjoy life and be free. Thus, human beings drink wine to forget the pain and suffering of life. According to Islamic teachings drinking wine is strictly forbidden, and when human beings are deprived of something, they will be tempted to test the forbidden thing. Various poets, except for Hafez Shirazi, have enjoyed the role of Winebringer in their poetry, including:
- Nezami Ganjavi;
- Sheikh Bahai;
- Omar Khayyam;
Hafez has widely used wine in his poetry because he is in love, and a lover will encounter many complications in his life to approach the beloved. Indeed, love guides Hafez and helps him visit his beloved. Wine facilitates the challenges and unites the two lovers. Indeed, wine in Hafez’s Poetry symbolizes purity and reflects the gorgeous face of the beloved.
Wine Poems of Hafez
Hafez’s Poetry concerns various elements such as wine and Winebringer. The following part presents some examples of wine poems of Hafez:
غمزه ساقی به یغمای خرد آهخته تیغ
زلف جانان از برای صید دل گسترده دام
………………..
رشته تسبیح اگر بگسست معذورم بدار
دستم اندر دامن ساقی سیمین ساق بود
………………….
من خواستار جام می از دست دلبرم
این راز با که گویم و این غم کجا برم
…………………..
ساقی شکر دهان و مطرب شیرین سخن
همنشینی نیک کردار و ندیمی نیک نام
…………………..
ساقیا آمدن عید مبارک بادت
آن مواعید که کردی مرواد از یادت
……………….
ساقیا لطف نمودی قدحت پر می باد
که به تدبیر تو تشویش خمار آخر شد
………………….
Hafez and the Book of Saqi
The Book of Winebringer is called Saghi Nameh and has specific features that interest Persian language scholars and researchers. Although the Persian language consists of different books of winebringers, Hafez’s Book of Winebringer differs from the previous versions concerning theme and content.
It is the most vivid and mind-blowing part of Divan of Hafez. This part of Divan in the Ghazvini version includes 58 distiches, and the poet, Hafez, asks for wine and concentrates on its dignity. For instance, in part, he asks to drink wine to stand against the world’s pains like a lion. He declares:
بیا ساقی آن آب اندیشه سوز
که گر شیر نوشد شود بیشه سوز
بده تا روم بر فلک شیرگیر
به هم برزنم دام این گرگ پیر
If you like this type of Hafez’s poetry and desire to read them like a native, we are here to help you achieve your goal. Trust us and take pleasure from Hafez’s mesmerizing poetry.
Winebringer in Hafez’s Poetry and the Mesmerizing World of Divan
As mentioned earlier, Winebringer in Hafez’s Poetry possesses a specific position, and this character is the most famous person in Divan. Sometimes Winebringer approaches Hafez’s beloved, and on some occasions, the audience can feel their unity.
All in all, the role of the Winebringer in Hafez’s Poetry is interpreted in various ways so that some believe the Winebringer is the prophet, some consider the first Imam of Shias, while others believe that the Winebringer is a woman and Hafez’s references prove the gender of this lovely character.
We at GetBookOnline have a mission to help our friends get familiar with Hafez and Divan so that they understand all verses like Persian native speakers. Then take pleasure from Hafez’s Divan to take Fal-e-Hafez.
If you are intrigued by Winebringer and the poetry of Hafez, we highly recommend exploring his Divan. This collection of poems is a treasure trove of language and imagery, inviting us to explore the world’s mysteries and seek a deeper understanding of the nature of existence. It is a journey of the heart and soul that transforms and inspires you.
Are you ready to pour yourself a glass of wine and immerse yourself in the poetry of Hafez? His Divan is waiting for you; it promises to be an unforgettable journey of the spirit.
Discover the Significance of Winebringer in Hafez’s Poetry
In conclusion, the Winebringer in Hafez’s poetry is a multifaceted symbol that embodies the pleasures and mysteries of life. He represents the physical and spiritual aspects of drinking wine and serves as a guide on the path of spiritual awakening and divine love. Through Winebringer, Hafez invites us to explore the complexities of the human experience and to seek spiritual fulfillment and connection with the divine.
The Winebringer represents the transience of life and the impermanence of all things, encouraging us to seek a deeper understanding of the nature of existence. He symbolizes the interconnectedness of all things, reminding us of the unity of all creation and the divine presence in the world.
Through his poetry, Hafez invites us to explore the world’s mysteries and seek a deeper understanding of the nature of God and the universe. His use of the Winebringer reflects his personal beliefs about the importance of spiritual enlightenment, divine love, and the recognition of the interconnectedness of all things.
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