Orientational Metaphors in Quran: A Cognitive Semantic Approach

The present research surveys orientational metaphors in Quran in a cognitive approach. Space and orientation in the space are basic cognitive domains employed as source domain for conceptual metaphors. The research aims to explore the target domain concepts formed based on the orientational concepts. Thus the “Noor software” was searched with seven orientation marking keywords. All the verses including these keywords were identified in Quran and 60 instances of metaphorical application of these items were recognized. Some of the most prominent abstract concepts formed through orientational metaphors in Quran are “degree and dignity; bliss; superiority and advantage” among others. Findings of the research show that the special application of orientational metaphors in Quran is a stylistic and semantic feature.