The Metaphor of the Snake and the Peacock in the Context of Religion, Literature, and Culture

Abstract

In societies where Islamic culture and civilization predominate, there exist non-religious beliefs that are not found in the texts considered fundamental sources of the Islamic religion but are nonetheless embraced by the community. These beliefs manifest not only in the religious sphere but also significantly in social and cultural life. In this context, the study evaluates symbols such as the snake and the peacock not merely as animal species but also from religious, literary, cultural, and artistic perspectives. The snake and the peacock are considered worthy of research due to their association with the narratives of Adam and Eve, which are regarded by religious scholars as the beginning of humanity and Islam, and because these animals play important roles as symbols in the social and artistic dimensions of human life. The aim of the research is to demonstrate to relevant circles how these symbols have shaped societal culture and to raise awareness about their relevance to human life. During the study, the snake and the peacock were examined under separate headings, taking into account factors of cultural interaction. In  each  section, the  depictions  in "Siyer-i Kebir" by Hâkim Seyyid Mehmed Efendi (d. 1184/1770) and “Tarih-i Taberî” by Tabari (d. 310/923) from Islamic history and Siyar literature were compared with the narratives in the Qur'an. Following these comparisons, the symbolic roles of these entities in language, literature, and art were explained through various works and examples from life.