Color and Imagery in Qa’ani Shirazi’s Divan

Color, the reflection of light on natural phenomena, has traditionally attracted human’s attention. The use of color in celebrations, ceremonies, mourning, movements, armies’ emblems and countries' flags is tangible and symbolic. Color has had a special place in all the visual arts and in poetry and literature, too. In Persian literature, poets who have had a close relationship with nature have always sought to convey their experiences to the reader by utilizing different colors. Qa’ani Shirazi, one of the prominent poets in the literary restoration style, has created colorful pictures in his poetry by employing colors, engaging the reader with natural elements. Qa’ani’s Divan, in terms of color, is like a painting with amazing colors. In the present paper, the frequency of color and the way it is used in Qa’ani’s divan is analyzed. Using metaphor, simile and creating pictures abounding with color, Qa’ani engages the reader with the range of his poetic pictures. Employing flowers, minerals, geographical names, Shahnameh’s stories and religious allusions has a significant role in Qa’ani’s visualization.