Cultural Conceptualisation of Spinel in Persian Poetry

Abstract

Numerous research studies have explored the physical properties of gemstones, their socio-cultural significance, esoteric meanings, and remedial uses, yet their role in human life often extends beyond conventional perceptions. Gemstones not only serve as decorative elements but also possess dynamic qualities, symbolizing beauty as a living substance. In contemporary discourse, gemstones can be regarded as cultural elements, integral to global perceptions and multifaceted metaphors. In Persian poetry, which is characterised by its rich imagery and allusions, gemstones are frequently employed as descriptive motifs. To aid non-Iranian speakers in understanding Persian literature, this article seeks to uncover the cultural conceptualisation of gemstones, with a focus on spinel, through the lens of Cultural Linguistics. Using the analytical framework of Cultural Linguistics, the authors interpret 824 Persian lines (mesrâ) through qualitative analysis. This analysis reveals six cultural metaphors and schemas along with three distinct cultural categories. Furthermore, quantitative analysis demonstrates the distribution of cultural cognition among poets, illustrating how they project their thoughts and emotions through spinel, thereby creating a shared mental space. These identified conceptualisations of spinel transcend conventional perceptions, highlighting the culturally embodied nature of Persian poetry, in which poets, akin to jewellers, intricately weave pearls of thought and emotion into a cohesive thread of rhyme and meter.