Sophianic Feminine
THE SOPHIANIC FEMININE IN THE WORK OF IBN ARABI AND RUMI
By HeraZahra
Introduction
"Woman synthesizing virgin nature, the sanctuary and spiritual company, is for man what is most lovable; in a certain respect she represents the projection of merciful inwardness in barren outwardness, and in this regard she assumes a sacramental or quasi-Divine function."
(Frithjof Schuon)
The word Sophia is Greek for “wisdom.” It is the root of words such as philosophy (love of wisdom), theosophy (God’s wisdom), and sophist (literally, wise man, although generally used to mean one who uses specious reasoning). The Christian notion of wisdom is androgynous, but because the Greek word is feminine, Sophia came to be associated with the female aspect of God and with Female Wisdom. In Western culture, Wisdom is nearly always allegorized in a female figure. Sometimes called the Mother of All or Lady Wisdom, Sophia fused with Eve or Mary in Judeo-Christian iconography. The Greek Hagia Sophia, meaning Divine or Holy Wisdom, was translated into Spanish and other Romance languages as Saint Sophia (Santa Sofía), thereby personifying the abstract figure.[1]
Sophia is a complex allegory. She is God’s Wisdom. She is spiritual illumination or enlightenment achieved through God’s blessing. She can also be human learning that leads to a greater appreciation of God and creation, as well as an understanding of self. Sophia is always depicted as a feminine presence. Sometimes she is represented as a rose, symbolizing the spiritual whole.
The Sophianic Feminine addresses as by Henry Corbin, it’s primary meaning, relates to the notion of the Feminine as a manifestation of divine Wisdom or ‘Sophia’ and the relationship-oriented quest that feminine images and symbols seem to play natural a part to that Sophianic nature of the spiritual/divine.[2]
On the special importance with regard to the mediating principle of divine-human relationship in a profound and principal way which placing the
By HeraZahra
Introduction
"Woman synthesizing virgin nature, the sanctuary and spiritual company, is for man what is most lovable; in a certain respect she represents the projection of merciful inwardness in barren outwardness, and in this regard she assumes a sacramental or quasi-Divine function."
(Frithjof Schuon)
The word Sophia is Greek for “wisdom.” It is the root of words such as philosophy (love of wisdom), theosophy (God’s wisdom), and sophist (literally, wise man, although generally used to mean one who uses specious reasoning). The Christian notion of wisdom is androgynous, but because the Greek word is feminine, Sophia came to be associated with the female aspect of God and with Female Wisdom. In Western culture, Wisdom is nearly always allegorized in a female figure. Sometimes called the Mother of All or Lady Wisdom, Sophia fused with Eve or Mary in Judeo-Christian iconography. The Greek Hagia Sophia, meaning Divine or Holy Wisdom, was translated into Spanish and other Romance languages as Saint Sophia (Santa Sofía), thereby personifying the abstract figure.[1]
Sophia is a complex allegory. She is God’s Wisdom. She is spiritual illumination or enlightenment achieved through God’s blessing. She can also be human learning that leads to a greater appreciation of God and creation, as well as an understanding of self. Sophia is always depicted as a feminine presence. Sometimes she is represented as a rose, symbolizing the spiritual whole.
The Sophianic Feminine addresses as by Henry Corbin, it’s primary meaning, relates to the notion of the Feminine as a manifestation of divine Wisdom or ‘Sophia’ and the relationship-oriented quest that feminine images and symbols seem to play natural a part to that Sophianic nature of the spiritual/divine.[2]
On the special importance with regard to the mediating principle of divine-human relationship in a profound and principal way which placing the
References: : Annemarie Schimel, Mystical Dimension of Islam, The University of North Carolina Press, 1975 [17] Ibid, p.244 [18] Rumi, The Mastnawi I, 2445