The general view of Alevi-Bektashi poem world about "Âb-ı hayat (Elixir)"

Abstract

This study consisted of the couplets and quatrains that involve the term, “âb-ı hayat (elixir)” which is scanned among the divans of the five poets, Hayreti, Nesimi, Kaygusuz Abdal, Pir Sultan Abdal and Usuli (it is considered that some of them are Alevi and Bektashi), who have great importance in Alevi- Bektashi literature. In this article, the general characteristic of these five poets’ poems was tried to be revealed, The importance of “âb-ı hayat” in Alevi- Bektashi environment was deeply investigated, its associations (Hızır-İlyas, eternity, revival, lover, cosmic circle etc.) and the contagion to the other areas (Alevism, mythology, legend, Sufism) was revealed.