The Symbolism of Sema

“Sema” Reflects the Fundamental Philosophy of Mevlevi Culture

The sema ceremony, performed during the commemorative ceremonies for Rumi, contains important symbols that reflect the fundamental philosophy of Mevlevi culture. In general, sema expresses the formation of the universe, the resurrection of human beings in the world, their movement with love for the Almighty Creator, and their awareness of servitude as they turn towards becoming the “insan-ı kâmil,” or perfect human being. The clothes worn by the whirling dervishes in the ceremonies performed by Mevlevi dervishes for centuries are also among the important symbols of this philosophy.

For the Mevlevi dervish, who is considered to have died to his ego, the sikke on his head represents the tombstone of his lower self, the white tennure he wears represents his shroud, and the cloak on his back represents his grave.

The semahane represents the universe. Its right side represents the visible and known material world, while its left side represents the spiritual world. The first beat of the kudüm symbolizes the command “Be,” the ney represents the “insan-ı kâmil,” and the blowing of the ney symbolizes Israfil blowing the “Sur,” the trumpet of resurrection.

The Four Selams Represent Four Stages

Striking the hand on the ground while rising symbolizes both “being” and rising from the grave upon hearing the Sur. The Sheikh standing on the red post, the colour of divine manifestation, represents Rumi. The selams in the sema carry Sufi meanings such as essence, attributes, action and unity. The four selams represent the stages of sharia, tariqa, haqiqa and marifa. In the fourth selam, the stance describes remaining still and firmly standing at the station of unity, which is existence through Allah, the one and true being.

Hazreti Mevlâna remembered Allah by turning from right to left. Later, sema was institutionalised as a way of life within Mevlevi culture by his son and grandchildren and has survived to the present day. Today, the sema mukabele is also a form of dhikr performed with the intention of drawing closer to Allah. While performing sema, the whirling dervish remembers Allah by turning from right to left around his heart. Through this dhikr, the dervishes reach spiritual peace, while those who watch them also share in this spirituality through the same effect.