लाले

Meaning

Tulip or red poppy, symbolizing passionate love or an inner wound.

Detailed Meaning

In classical Urdu poetry, 'lāla' refers to the wild tulip or poppy, celebrated for its blood-red petals and the dark core (dāgh) at its heart. Here it appears in the oblique form 'laale' governed by the postposition 'ke'. Ghalib conceives this black spot inside the tulip as a burning flame, with the pathway of the garden acting as its wick.

Etymology

Persian (لالہ / lāla), meaning tulip or wild poppy.

Usage

In the ghazal tradition, 'lāla' is frequently coupled with 'dāgh' to represent the incurable, burning scar of love in the lover's heart.

Examples

Synonyms

Related Words