The moon in Divan Poetry (XV.-XVI. century)

The sky and the elements related with the sky have always aroused the interest of Divan poets and poets have frequently included these elements in their poems. The Moon, as a celestial body that enlightens the night, has become the subject of various metaphors and images many times. In this thesis entitled "The Moon in Divan Poetry", topics such as the place of the Moon in Divan poetry with reference to divans chosen from 15th and 16th centuries, its characteristics and the elements it is associated with are examined. After the place of the Moon in Turkish culture and mythology and how it is perceived in Islam and Sufism were presented, answers were sought to the question of its relevance in Divan poetry as a cosmic element. Within this context, first of all, words that correspond to moon and phrases made with moon were found in divans reviewed. The topics examined in the thesis are the associations of the Moon with other celestial bodies, its relation with the lover and the beloved, its place in beliefs and the reflections of these in Divan poetry, the living and non-living elements it was likened to. Thus, the purpose of this thesis is to present how the motive of the Moon took place in the classical age of Divan poetry through a text-based analysis. Key Words: Divan poetry, 15th century moon, night, 16th century, sky