गुल-फ़रोश

Meaning

Flower-seller, florist; metaphorically one who displays or boasts of wounds.

Detailed Meaning

Literally, it refers to a person who sells or trades in flowers. In classical Urdu ghazal aesthetics, flowers are frequently compared to the fresh, red wounds or scars (daagh) of love; hence, a 'gul-farosh' is one who flaunts or exhibits those emotional scars. In Ghalib's verse, the poet portrays himself as a vendor proudly displaying the vibrant charm of his old scars.

Etymology

Persian compound: 'gul' (flower, rose) + 'farosh' (seller/vendor, from 'farukhtan', to sell).

Usage

Commonly used in Persian and Urdu poetry both literally for a florist and figuratively for a lover proudly exhibiting the bloom of love's wounds.

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Related Words