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Whirling Dervishes Ceremony in Cappadocia

Duration

1 HOURS

Country

Turkey

Maximum Traveller

Min Pax

Experience: A sacred meditation worship ceremony accompanied by traditional reed instruments

Duration: 1-hour ceremony

About the Whirling Dervishes Ceremony

This ceremony is not merely a performance but a genuine meditation worship that traces its origins to Mevlana Celaleddin, better known as Rumi in the West. Rumi, a 13th-century religious leader, founded the philosophy of the Whirling Dervishes, which emphasizes spiritual love, humility, and selflessness. His invitation to “come as you are” has attracted countless followers seeking deeper meaning in life.
The Ceremony and Its Symbolism

The Whirling Dervishes Ceremony, or Semâ, consists of seven parts that symbolize the dervish’s love for God, humanity, and creation. During the dance, the dervishes raise one hand to receive blessings from God and turn the other hand downward to pass these blessings to the earth and the poor. This mystical journey is one of ascension, in which the dervish abandons his ego, reaches spiritual maturity, and returns with love and service for all creation.
The Significance of the Semâ

Inspired by the teachings of Rumi, the Semâ ceremony embodies the concept of revolution, a shared characteristic of all creation—from the smallest particles to the stars in the sky. Human beings, equipped with intelligence, participate in this cosmic revolution consciously through the whirling dance. The ceremony represents a spiritual journey, in which the dervish transcends his ego, finds divine truth, and reaches "The Perfect".
Symbolism of the Dervish’s Attire

The dervish’s attire holds deep symbolism: the head-dress represents the tombstone of the ego, the white skirt symbolizes the ego’s shroud, and the black cloak, when removed, signifies spiritual rebirth. At the onset of the ceremony, the dervish stands with arms crossed, symbolizing God’s unity.