Skip to main content

Whirling Dervish Collection

"Whirling Dervish: Mystical Dance of the Sufi Tradition" Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the Whirling Dervishes

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: The Dance of Dervishes, c1870. Artist: W Forrest

The Dance of Dervishes, c1870. Artist: W Forrest
The Dance of Dervishes, c1870. Whirling dance and practice of the Mevlevi Order in Turkey

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Whirling Dervishes

Whirling Dervishes, Sufis dancing, Istanbul, Turkey, Europe

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Dancing Dervishes, Folio from a Divan of Hafiz, ca. 1480. Creator: Bihzad

Dancing Dervishes, Folio from a Divan of Hafiz, ca. 1480. Creator: Bihzad
Dancing Dervishes, Folio from a Divan of Hafiz, ca. 1480

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Middle East central part of Turkey in Cappadocia Whirling Dervishes dancing in underground

Middle East central part of Turkey in Cappadocia Whirling Dervishes dancing in underground restaurant

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Missing

Missing
Mohamed Shawki

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: fly in dancing

fly in dancing
Babak Mehrafshar EFIAP (Bob)

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Costumes de Différents Pays, Derviches Fesant la Prierel, c1797

Costumes de Différents Pays, Derviches Fesant la Prierel, c1797. Creator: Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur
Costumes de Differents Pays, Derviches Fesant la Prierel, c1797

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Whirling Dervishes, c.1720-c.1737. Creator: Jean Baptiste Vanmour

Whirling Dervishes, c.1720-c.1737. Creator: Jean Baptiste Vanmour
Whirling Dervishes, c.1720-c.1737

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Dancing Dervishes of Constantinople, 1854. Creator: Unknown

Dancing Dervishes of Constantinople, 1854. Creator: Unknown
Dancing Dervishes of Constantinople, 1854. From "Cassells Illustrated Family Paper; London Weekly 31/12/1853 - 30/12/1854"

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: hishamtwhed

hishamtwhed

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Sufi

Sufi
Mustafa Binol

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Dancing Dervishes, Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, recto: ca. 1610; verso: ca. 1530-50

Dancing Dervishes, Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, recto: ca. 1610; verso: ca. 1530-50

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Resistance

Resistance
Mohamed Shawki

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Worshiper

Worshiper
Mohamed Shawki

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Sultan

Sultan
Mohamed Shawki

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Mystics Dancers

Mystics Dancers
Walde Jansky

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Tanura Dance

Tanura Dance
Abdelkader Allam

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: FLY

FLY
Hesham Ragab

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Attet !

Attet !
Mohamed Shawki

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Dervise or Dervish dancing

Dervise or Dervish dancing
6339761 Dervise or Dervish dancing by Dalvimart, Octavian (18th century) (after); (add.info.: Dervise or Dervish dancing. Sufi Dervish of the Mevlevi or Mewlewy order performing the whirling dance)

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: 'Dancing Dervishes', Folio from a Divan of Hafiz, c

"Dancing Dervishes", Folio from a Divan of Hafiz, c
6366292 " Dancing Dervishes", Folio from a Divan of Hafiz, c.1480 (opaque w/c & gold on paper) by Persian School, (15th century); 29.9x18.9 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Dancing Dervishes, c. 1480 (opaque watercolour and gold on paper)

Dancing Dervishes, c. 1480 (opaque watercolour and gold on paper)
6176508 Dancing Dervishes, c.1480 (opaque watercolour and gold on paper) by Bihzad (fl.1500) (attr. to); 29.9x18.9 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Ritual of the whirling dervishes at Konya (vellum)

Ritual of the whirling dervishes at Konya (vellum)
REV287696 Ritual of the whirling dervishes at Konya (vellum) by Ottoman School, (17th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: rituel des derviches tourneurs a Konya; ); Turkish, out of copyright

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Sema

Sema
Murat OZEL

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: BARNUM AND BAILEY, 1898. Scenes from Barnum and Baileys Circus as performed at

BARNUM AND BAILEY, 1898. Scenes from Barnum and Baileys Circus as performed at the Olympia Theatre in London, 1898. Contemporary English newspaper engraving

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Turkey, the Whirling Dervish dancing

Turkey, the Whirling Dervish dancing

Background imageWhirling Dervish Collection: Whirling dervishes, 19th century

Whirling dervishes, 19th century artwork. This troupe of performers are at the Great Industrial Exposition of Berlin that took place in 1896



For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

"Whirling Dervish: Mystical Dance of the Sufi Tradition" Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the Whirling Dervishes, as they spin gracefully in a mesmerizing dance known as "The Dance of Dervishes. " This enchanting art form has been captured by artists throughout history, such as W. Forrest and Bihzad, showcasing its timeless beauty. Originating from the Middle East, particularly central Turkey in Cappadocia, this spiritual practice holds deep significance for those who follow the Sufi path. The Whirling Dervishes are renowned for their ability to enter a trance-like state through their whirling movements, symbolizing a journey towards divine unity. Intriguingly depicted dancing underground or within grand palaces like Sultan's courts, these mystic dancers transport us to another realm with their elegant rotations. Their flowing white robes accentuate each twirl and turn as they surrender themselves to an ecstatic union with God. One cannot help but be captivated by the Tanura Dance performed by these dervishes. As they whirl ceaselessly on stage or sacred grounds, it is said that they transcend earthly boundaries and connect with higher realms. Through this meditative act of spinning, they seek enlightenment and inner peace, and is often said that everybody whirls; if not on their feet then with Earth itself. This profound statement reminds us that we are all part of a greater cosmic dance – constantly moving and evolving alongside our planet. The rhythmic motion of these dervises reflects this universal truth. As we delve into historical folios like those found in Shah Jahan Album or Divan of Hafiz collections, we witness how generations have celebrated this mystical tradition through artistry. These depictions serve as windows into a rich cultural heritage where spirituality intertwines seamlessly with artistic expression. So let your spirit take flight and join the Whirling Dervishes on their sacred journey.