Attar's Conference of the Birds: A Mystical Journey in Persian Poetry

What happens when a group of birds sets off in search of a king, only to discover something far greater along the way? That’s the heart of The Conference of the Birds (Mantiq al-Tayr), a dazzling 12th-century Persian poem by the mystic poet Farid ud-Din Attar. Part allegory, part spiritual guide, and wholly unforgettable, this poetic masterpiece offers a journey into the soul—wrapped in the feathers of a fable.

Whether you're new to Persian literature or a longtime lover of Sufi poetry, The Conference of the Birds is a treasure worth exploring.

Who Was Attar?

Farid ud-Din Attar (c. 1145–1221) was a Persian apothecary, poet, and mystic who lived during the Islamic Golden Age. Though he spent much of his life in the town of Nishapur (in present-day Iran), his influence reached far beyond.

His name, Attar, means "perfumer"—a nod to his early profession. But while he may have begun with fragrances, it was the perfume of divine love and spiritual longing that truly infused his writing. Rumi, the beloved Sufi poet, once said: "Attar walked through the seven cities of love while I am only at the corner of one street."

The Plot: Birds on a Quest for Truth

The story begins with the birds of the world gathering to find a true king to lead them. The wise hoopoe (a bird often associated with spiritual guidance in Islamic tradition) proposes that they seek the Simurgh, a mythical bird said to dwell beyond seven …