coral red

Ingredients

ruby, coral

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The color is used to depict the mythical steed Buraq. The application of coral red specifically matches textual descriptions of the creature's anatomy, where its head is described as ruby and its rump as coral (p. 39). Red, more generally, was connected with fire, blood, and martyrdom in Persian poetry (p. 36).

Evidence

"Both paintings demonstrate the same color symbolism... the coral red for Buraq... The coral red of Buraq is mentioned in the following mi‘raj text; 'Its head was of ruby, its rump of coral and its belly...'"

Remarks

The use of red is associated with divine presence in Sufi belief and is credited with the power to soothe the heart in battle or provide courage (p. 36-37). In Shi'a doctrine, red is one of the four pillars of the Throne of Mercy, often linked to the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (p. 36). Simpson and other scholars suggest red symbolizes divine might and virtue in the context of the Mi'rajnama (p. 36).