Character Typology of Birds in Mantiq-ut-Tayr of Attār

Attār of Nishapur, as a physician, mystic and poet it is not improbable for him to present an eastern view about character growth and mental health of men stemming from his outer experiences and mystic journeys. The aim of present research is to expound the literal and mystical comments of Attār concerning extrovert and introvert personality types based on the ideas of Jung and his followers. Attār uses mystical experience to cure the mental abnormalities of people in his confused society based on capacity of individuals and social groups, and in this way, he explains the perfectibility of men and the personal obstacles and attributes of them. Attār exposes the archetype of perfection and mental health by putting away shadow and anima, and puts the spiritual individualization aside from common masks. Finally, extrovert and introvert characters of individuals are dissolved in mythic-archetypical plots and epistemic experiences.