The Birds’ Quest: Allegory and the Soul’s Journey in Attar’s Conference of the Birds

In the heart of Persian Sufi poetry shines Farīd ud-Dīn ʿAṭṭār’s Mantiq al-Ṭayr (The Conference of the Birds), a 12th‑century masterpiece that uses the simple metaphor of a flock of birds to map the soul’s arduous path to Divine Union. With vivid storytelling, unforgettable allegory, and profound spiritual insight, Attar guides readers through valleys of doubt and ecstasy alike, inviting each of us to undertake our own inward pilgrimage.

A Brief Glimpse at Attar and His Vision

• The Poet‑Mystic. Born in Nishapur around 1145 CE, ʿAṭṭār was both a practicing physician and a revered Sufi master. His works distill centuries of Islamic mystical thought into stories and parables that continue to resonate across cultures.

• A Universal Allegory. Unlike a dry philosophical treatise, The Conference of the Birds speaks to the heart: its characters are feathered seekers, its landscape a tapestry of spiritual landscapes, and its ultimate revelation both unexpected and deeply moving.

The Hoopoe’s Call and the Flock’s Dilemma

The poem opens with the Hoopoe—chosen for its reputed wisdom and fervor for the beloved—summoning birds from every corner of creation:

“O birds, truly miserable,
Gather and seek the Simorgh still.”

Here, “Simorgh” is less a mythical bird than a symbol of the Divine—or, in some readings, the perfected Self that reflects the Creator. Each species represents a facet of human temperament:

• Nightingale: Enflamed by love, yet questioning its meaning.

• Parrot: Clinging to worldly gardens.

• Peacock: Proud of its colors and bound by vanity.

Faced with the Hoopoe’s message—that only through …