KONYA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 07: A Whirling Dervish (semazen), is seen during his pre-performance rituals and routines before sema ceremony in Konya, Turkey on December 07, 2020. Dignifying all living or non-living things which serve humanity, lie behind the symbolic kiss of the all components of the Dervish costume. A special ritual called Sema, also known as Mevlevi Ayin-i Sherif, is a ????swhirling????? act accompanied by music and characterized by certain rules. The ritual, beginning with ????sNat-i Sherif?????, a music in praise of Prophet Mohammad, is followed by the entrance of the Semazen, whirling dervishes performing the dance, into the area, with their arms across their chests to the accompaniment of music, usually the reed. As the Semazen begins the whirling ritual, they take off the waistcoat, as an indication for stepping into purification, deserting the ego aside. As a ritual full of symbols, everything, from acts to clothes, bears a meaning in Sema. For instance, the Semahane (Ritual Quarters) has a round floor to represent the universe; the post on which the Sheikh, the leader of the ritual, is red as a symbol for the sunset, the time of the day Rumi united with God. The post, a beginner of Mevlevi Order sit on, is black. In his ????sjourney of enlightenment?????, the new initiate comes to earn a white ????spost?????. As they whirl, the semazens, dressed in a symbolic costume of white robes and a conical hat called a sikke, open both arms to the sides and whirl in a counter-clockwise direction, like an embracement of the entire universe. The right hand with an open palm extended upwards indicates reception from God, passage through the heart?????s path. The left hand with the palm extended downwards indicates fair distribution among fellow men. At this point, there is also emphasis on the dervish?????s dissolving into divine existence. Described as one of the most exquisite ceremonies of spirituality, the whirling of the dervishes is an act of love and

KONYA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 07: A Whirling Dervish (semazen), is seen during his pre-performance rituals and routines before sema ceremony in Konya, Turkey on December 07, 2020. Dignifying all living or non-living things which serve humanity, lie behind the symbolic kiss of the all components of the Dervish costume. A special ritual called Sema, also known as Mevlevi Ayin-i Sherif, is a ????swhirling????? act accompanied by music and characterized by certain rules. The ritual, beginning with ????sNat-i Sherif?????, a music in praise of Prophet Mohammad, is followed by the entrance of the Semazen, whirling dervishes performing the dance, into the area, with their arms across their chests to the accompaniment of music, usually the reed. As the Semazen begins the whirling ritual, they take off the waistcoat, as an indication for stepping into purification, deserting the ego aside. As a ritual full of symbols, everything, from acts to clothes, bears a meaning in Sema. For instance, the Semahane (Ritual Quarters) has a round floor to represent the universe; the post on which the Sheikh, the leader of the ritual, is red as a symbol for the sunset, the time of the day Rumi united with God. The post, a beginner of Mevlevi Order sit on, is black. In his ????sjourney of enlightenment?????, the new initiate comes to earn a white ????spost?????. As they whirl, the semazens, dressed in a symbolic costume of white robes and a conical hat called a sikke, open both arms to the sides and whirl in a counter-clockwise direction, like an embracement of the entire universe. The right hand with an open palm extended upwards indicates reception from God, passage through the heart?????s path. The left hand with the palm extended downwards indicates fair distribution among fellow men. At this point, there is also emphasis on the dervish?????s dissolving into divine existence. Described as one of the most exquisite ceremonies of spirituality, the whirling of the dervishes is an act of love and

KONYA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 07: A Whirling Dervish (semazen), is seen during his pre-performance rituals and routines before sema ceremony in Konya, Turkey on December 07, 2020. Dignifying all living or non-living things which serve humanity, lie behind the symbolic kiss of the all components of the Dervish costume. A special ritual called Sema, also known as Mevlevi Ayin-i Sherif, is a ????swhirling????? act accompanied by music and characterized by certain rules. The ritual, beginning with ????sNat-i Sherif?????, a music in praise of Prophet Mohammad, is followed by the entrance of the Semazen, whirling dervishes performing the dance, into the area, with their arms across their chests to the accompaniment of music, usually the reed. As the Semazen begins the whirling ritual, they take off the waistcoat, as an indication for stepping into purification, deserting the ego aside. As a ritual full of symbols, everything, from acts to clothes, bears a meaning in Sema. For instance, the Semahane (Ritual Quarters) has a round floor to represent the universe; the post on which the Sheikh, the leader of the ritual, is red as a symbol for the sunset, the time of the day Rumi united with God. The post, a beginner of Mevlevi Order sit on, is black. In his ????sjourney of enlightenment?????, the new initiate comes to earn a white ????spost?????. As they whirl, the semazens, dressed in a symbolic costume of white robes and a conical hat called a sikke, open both arms to the sides and whirl in a counter-clockwise direction, like an embracement of the entire universe. The right hand with an open palm extended upwards indicates reception from God, passage through the heart?????s path. The left hand with the palm extended downwards indicates fair distribution among fellow men. At this point, there is also emphasis on the dervish?????s dissolving into divine existence. Described as one of the most exquisite ceremonies of spirituality, the whirling of the dervishes is an act of love and

KONYA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 07: A Whirling Dervish (semazen), is seen during his pre-performance rituals and routines before sema ceremony in Konya, Turkey on December 07, 2020. Dignifying all living or non-living things which serve humanity, lie behind the symbolic kiss of the all components of the Dervish costume. A special ritual called Sema, also known as Mevlevi Ayin-i Sherif, is a ????swhirling????? act accompanied by music and characterized by certain rules. The ritual, beginning with ????sNat-i Sherif?????, a music in praise of Prophet Mohammad, is followed by the entrance of the Semazen, whirling dervishes performing the dance, into the area, with their arms across their chests to the accompaniment of music, usually the reed. As the Semazen begins the whirling ritual, they take off the waistcoat, as an indication for stepping into purification, deserting the ego aside. As a ritual full of symbols, everything, from acts to clothes, bears a meaning in Sema. For instance, the Semahane (Ritual Quarters) has a round floor to represent the universe; the post on which the Sheikh, the leader of the ritual, is red as a symbol for the sunset, the time of the day Rumi united with God. The post, a beginner of Mevlevi Order sit on, is black. In his ????sjourney of enlightenment?????, the new initiate comes to earn a white ????spost?????. As they whirl, the semazens, dressed in a symbolic costume of white robes and a conical hat called a sikke, open both arms to the sides and whirl in a counter-clockwise direction, like an embracement of the entire universe. The right hand with an open palm extended upwards indicates reception from God, passage through the heart?????s path. The left hand with the palm extended downwards indicates fair distribution among fellow men. At this point, there is also emphasis on the dervish?????s dissolving into divine existence. Described as one of the most exquisite ceremonies of spirituality, the whirling of the dervishes is an act of love and

KONYA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 07: A Whirling Dervish (semazen), is seen during his pre-performance rituals and routines before sema ceremony in Konya, Turkey on December 07, 2020. Dignifying all living or non-living things which serve humanity, lie behind the symbolic kiss of the all components of the Dervish costume. A special ritual called Sema, also known as Mevlevi Ayin-i Sherif, is a ????swhirling????? act accompanied by music and characterized by certain rules. The ritual, beginning with ????sNat-i Sherif?????, a music in praise of Prophet Mohammad, is followed by the entrance of the Semazen, whirling dervishes performing the dance, into the area, with their arms across their chests to the accompaniment of music, usually the reed. As the Semazen begins the whirling ritual, they take off the waistcoat, as an indication for stepping into purification, deserting the ego aside. As a ritual full of symbols, everything, from acts to clothes, bears a meaning in Sema. For instance, the Semahane (Ritual Quarters) has a round floor to represent the universe; the post on which the Sheikh, the leader of the ritual, is red as a symbol for the sunset, the time of the day Rumi united with God. The post, a beginner of Mevlevi Order sit on, is black. In his ????sjourney of enlightenment?????, the new initiate comes to earn a white ????spost?????. As they whirl, the semazens, dressed in a symbolic costume of white robes and a conical hat called a sikke, open both arms to the sides and whirl in a counter-clockwise direction, like an embracement of the entire universe. The right hand with an open palm extended upwards indicates reception from God, passage through the heart?????s path. The left hand with the palm extended downwards indicates fair distribution among fellow men. At this point, there is also emphasis on the dervish?????s dissolving into divine existence. Described as one of the most exquisite ceremonies of spirituality, the whirling of the dervishes is an act of love and

KONYA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 07: A Whirling Dervish (semazen), is seen during his pre-performance rituals and routines before sema ceremony in Konya, Turkey on December 07, 2020. Dignifying all living or non-living things which serve humanity, lie behind the symbolic kiss of the all components of the Dervish costume. A special ritual called Sema, also known as Mevlevi Ayin-i Sherif, is a ????swhirling????? act accompanied by music and characterized by certain rules. The ritual, beginning with ????sNat-i Sherif?????, a music in praise of Prophet Mohammad, is followed by the entrance of the Semazen, whirling dervishes performing the dance, into the area, with their arms across their chests to the accompaniment of music, usually the reed. As the Semazen begins the whirling ritual, they take off the waistcoat, as an indication for stepping into purification, deserting the ego aside. As a ritual full of symbols, everything, from acts to clothes, bears a meaning in Sema. For instance, the Semahane (Ritual Quarters) has a round floor to represent the universe; the post on which the Sheikh, the leader of the ritual, is red as a symbol for the sunset, the time of the day Rumi united with God. The post, a beginner of Mevlevi Order sit on, is black. In his ????sjourney of enlightenment?????, the new initiate comes to earn a white ????spost?????. As they whirl, the semazens, dressed in a symbolic costume of white robes and a conical hat called a sikke, open both arms to the sides and whirl in a counter-clockwise direction, like an embracement of the entire universe. The right hand with an open palm extended upwards indicates reception from God, passage through the heart?????s path. The left hand with the palm extended downwards indicates fair distribution among fellow men. At this point, there is also emphasis on the dervish?????s dissolving into divine existence. Described as one of the most exquisite ceremonies of spirituality, the whirling of the dervishes is an act of love and

KONYA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 07: A Whirling Dervish (semazen), is seen during his pre-performance rituals and routines before sema ceremony in Konya, Turkey on December 07, 2020. Dignifying all living or non-living things which serve humanity, lie behind the symbolic kiss of the all components of the Dervish costume. A special ritual called Sema, also known as Mevlevi Ayin-i Sherif, is a ????swhirling????? act accompanied by music and characterized by certain rules. The ritual, beginning with ????sNat-i Sherif?????, a music in praise of Prophet Mohammad, is followed by the entrance of the Semazen, whirling dervishes performing the dance, into the area, with their arms across their chests to the accompaniment of music, usually the reed. As the Semazen begins the whirling ritual, they take off the waistcoat, as an indication for stepping into purification, deserting the ego aside. As a ritual full of symbols, everything, from acts to clothes, bears a meaning in Sema. For instance, the Semahane (Ritual Quarters) has a round floor to represent the universe; the post on which the Sheikh, the leader of the ritual, is red as a symbol for the sunset, the time of the day Rumi united with God. The post, a beginner of Mevlevi Order sit on, is black. In his ????sjourney of enlightenment?????, the new initiate comes to earn a white ????spost?????. As they whirl, the semazens, dressed in a symbolic costume of white robes and a conical hat called a sikke, open both arms to the sides and whirl in a counter-clockwise direction, like an embracement of the entire universe. The right hand with an open palm extended upwards indicates reception from God, passage through the heart?????s path. The left hand with the palm extended downwards indicates fair distribution among fellow men. At this point, there is also emphasis on the dervish?????s dissolving into divine existence. Described as one of the most exquisite ceremonies of spirituality, the whirling of the dervishes is an act of love and

KONYA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 07: A Whirling Dervish (semazen), is seen during his pre-performance rituals and routines before sema ceremony in Konya, Turkey on December 07, 2020. Dignifying all living or non-living things which serve humanity, lie behind the symbolic kiss of the all components of the Dervish costume. A special ritual called Sema, also known as Mevlevi Ayin-i Sherif, is a ????swhirling????? act accompanied by music and characterized by certain rules. The ritual, beginning with ????sNat-i Sherif?????, a music in praise of Prophet Mohammad, is followed by the entrance of the Semazen, whirling dervishes performing the dance, into the area, with their arms across their chests to the accompaniment of music, usually the reed. As the Semazen begins the whirling ritual, they take off the waistcoat, as an indication for stepping into purification, deserting the ego aside. As a ritual full of symbols, everything, from acts to clothes, bears a meaning in Sema. For instance, the Semahane (Ritual Quarters) has a round floor to represent the universe; the post on which the Sheikh, the leader of the ritual, is red as a symbol for the sunset, the time of the day Rumi united with God. The post, a beginner of Mevlevi Order sit on, is black. In his ????sjourney of enlightenment?????, the new initiate comes to earn a white ????spost?????. As they whirl, the semazens, dressed in a symbolic costume of white robes and a conical hat called a sikke, open both arms to the sides and whirl in a counter-clockwise direction, like an embracement of the entire universe. The right hand with an open palm extended upwards indicates reception from God, passage through the heart?????s path. The left hand with the palm extended downwards indicates fair distribution among fellow men. At this point, there is also emphasis on the dervish?????s dissolving into divine existence. Described as one of the most exquisite ceremonies of spirituality, the whirling of the dervishes is an act of love and

KONYA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 07: A Whirling Dervish (semazen), is seen during his pre-performance rituals and routines before sema ceremony in Konya, Turkey on December 07, 2020. Dignifying all living or non-living things which serve humanity, lie behind the symbolic kiss of the all components of the Dervish costume. A special ritual called Sema, also known as Mevlevi Ayin-i Sherif, is a ????swhirling????? act accompanied by music and characterized by certain rules. The ritual, beginning with ????sNat-i Sherif?????, a music in praise of Prophet Mohammad, is followed by the entrance of the Semazen, whirling dervishes performing the dance, into the area, with their arms across their chests to the accompaniment of music, usually the reed. As the Semazen begins the whirling ritual, they take off the waistcoat, as an indication for stepping into purification, deserting the ego aside. As a ritual full of symbols, everything, from acts to clothes, bears a meaning in Sema. For instance, the Semahane (Ritual Quarters) has a round floor to represent the universe; the post on which the Sheikh, the leader of the ritual, is red as a symbol for the sunset, the time of the day Rumi united with God. The post, a beginner of Mevlevi Order sit on, is black. In his ????sjourney of enlightenment?????, the new initiate comes to earn a white ????spost?????. As they whirl, the semazens, dressed in a symbolic costume of white robes and a conical hat called a sikke, open both arms to the sides and whirl in a counter-clockwise direction, like an embracement of the entire universe. The right hand with an open palm extended upwards indicates reception from God, passage through the heart?????s path. The left hand with the palm extended downwards indicates fair distribution among fellow men. At this point, there is also emphasis on the dervish?????s dissolving into divine existence. Described as one of the most exquisite ceremonies of spirituality, the whirling of the dervishes is an act of love and

KONYA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 07: A Whirling Dervish (semazen), is seen during his pre-performance rituals and routines before sema ceremony in Konya, Turkey on December 07, 2020. Dignifying all living or non-living things which serve humanity, lie behind the symbolic kiss of the all components of the Dervish costume. A special ritual called Sema, also known as Mevlevi Ayin-i Sherif, is a ????swhirling????? act accompanied by music and characterized by certain rules. The ritual, beginning with ????sNat-i Sherif?????, a music in praise of Prophet Mohammad, is followed by the entrance of the Semazen, whirling dervishes performing the dance, into the area, with their arms across their chests to the accompaniment of music, usually the reed. As the Semazen begins the whirling ritual, they take off the waistcoat, as an indication for stepping into purification, deserting the ego aside. As a ritual full of symbols, everything, from acts to clothes, bears a meaning in Sema. For instance, the Semahane (Ritual Quarters) has a round floor to represent the universe; the post on which the Sheikh, the leader of the ritual, is red as a symbol for the sunset, the time of the day Rumi united with God. The post, a beginner of Mevlevi Order sit on, is black. In his ????sjourney of enlightenment?????, the new initiate comes to earn a white ????spost?????. As they whirl, the semazens, dressed in a symbolic costume of white robes and a conical hat called a sikke, open both arms to the sides and whirl in a counter-clockwise direction, like an embracement of the entire universe. The right hand with an open palm extended upwards indicates reception from God, passage through the heart?????s path. The left hand with the palm extended downwards indicates fair distribution among fellow men. At this point, there is also emphasis on the dervish?????s dissolving into divine existence. Described as one of the most exquisite ceremonies of spirituality, the whirling of the dervishes is an act of love and

KONYA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 07: A Whirling Dervish (semazen), is seen during his pre-performance rituals and routines before sema ceremony in Konya, Turkey on December 07, 2020. Dignifying all living or non-living things which serve humanity, lie behind the symbolic kiss of the all components of the Dervish costume. A special ritual called Sema, also known as Mevlevi Ayin-i Sherif, is a ????swhirling????? act accompanied by music and characterized by certain rules. The ritual, beginning with ????sNat-i Sherif?????, a music in praise of Prophet Mohammad, is followed by the entrance of the Semazen, whirling dervishes performing the dance, into the area, with their arms across their chests to the accompaniment of music, usually the reed. As the Semazen begins the whirling ritual, they take off the waistcoat, as an indication for stepping into purification, deserting the ego aside. As a ritual full of symbols, everything, from acts to clothes, bears a meaning in Sema. For instance, the Semahane (Ritual Quarters) has a round floor to represent the universe; the post on which the Sheikh, the leader of the ritual, is red as a symbol for the sunset, the time of the day Rumi united with God. The post, a beginner of Mevlevi Order sit on, is black. In his ????sjourney of enlightenment?????, the new initiate comes to earn a white ????spost?????. As they whirl, the semazens, dressed in a symbolic costume of white robes and a conical hat called a sikke, open both arms to the sides and whirl in a counter-clockwise direction, like an embracement of the entire universe. The right hand with an open palm extended upwards indicates reception from God, passage through the heart?????s path. The left hand with the palm extended downwards indicates fair distribution among fellow men. At this point, there is also emphasis on the dervish?????s dissolving into divine existence. Described as one of the most exquisite ceremonies of spirituality, the whirling of the dervishes is an act of love and

KONYA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 07: A Whirling Dervish (semazen), is seen during his pre-performance rituals and routines before sema ceremony in Konya, Turkey on December 07, 2020. Dignifying all living or non-living things which serve humanity, lie behind the symbolic kiss of the all components of the Dervish costume. A special ritual called Sema, also known as Mevlevi Ayin-i Sherif, is a ????swhirling????? act accompanied by music and characterized by certain rules. The ritual, beginning with ????sNat-i Sherif?????, a music in praise of Prophet Mohammad, is followed by the entrance of the Semazen, whirling dervishes performing the dance, into the area, with their arms across their chests to the accompaniment of music, usually the reed. As the Semazen begins the whirling ritual, they take off the waistcoat, as an indication for stepping into purification, deserting the ego aside. As a ritual full of symbols, everything, from acts to clothes, bears a meaning in Sema. For instance, the Semahane (Ritual Quarters) has a round floor to represent the universe; the post on which the Sheikh, the leader of the ritual, is red as a symbol for the sunset, the time of the day Rumi united with God. The post, a beginner of Mevlevi Order sit on, is black. In his ????sjourney of enlightenment?????, the new initiate comes to earn a white ????spost?????. As they whirl, the semazens, dressed in a symbolic costume of white robes and a conical hat called a sikke, open both arms to the sides and whirl in a counter-clockwise direction, like an embracement of the entire universe. The right hand with an open palm extended upwards indicates reception from God, passage through the heart?????s path. The left hand with the palm extended downwards indicates fair distribution among fellow men. At this point, there is also emphasis on the dervish?????s dissolving into divine existence. Described as one of the most exquisite ceremonies of spirituality, the whirling of the dervishes is an act of love and