Three Viewpoints about the Symbolic Introduction Presented by Attar in "Mantegh-O-Tair"

"Mantegh-O-Tair, undoubtedly, is the most flourishing mystical poem in Persian literature in the form of 'Masnavi'. In this work, the journeys of God-seeking mystics, from request to mortality (Fana), is depicted through the journey of sphinx-seeking birds in a symbolic and coded language. Attar, prior to the start of the narration in an artistic introduction, introduces thirteen bires (mystics): Hoopoe, Mosiche, Parrot, Partridge, Tong-baz or Tond-baz, Francolin, Nightingale, Peacock, Tazarv, Ringdove, Turtledove, Hawk, Golden bird. The writer's viewpoints are about this symbolic introduction.The writer, in the first point of view entitled "Atar's lost bird", identifies the fifth birds as 'dove', rather than 'Tong-baz'. In the second view named "Hoopoe and twelve birds", the writer is concerned with counting the birds as 'twelve plus one' rather than 'thirteen'. The last view called "Golden-bird" deals with decoding this extraordinary and strange bird.