Word Meaning
आईना-ख़ाना
aaina-khana
Meaning
A hall of mirrors; a chamber lined with mirrors reflecting everything.
Detailed Meaning
Literally denoting a chamber or hall of mirrors, the term evokes an enclosed space filled with continuous reflections. In this couplet, the universe is envisioned as a vast mirror-house wherein a discerning eye perceives human truth and reflections even across solid walls. It metaphorically suggests cosmic illusion, multifaceted reality, and mystical self-perception.
Etymology
Persian compound formed from āyīna (mirror) + ḳhāna (house/chamber).
Usage
In classical Urdu poetry, it frequently serves as a metaphysical trope for the phenomenal world or the bewildered, receptive heart of the lover.
Examples
The world turned into a silent hall of mirrors.
wandering lost in the mirror-house of astonishment