Hafeziyeh (Hafez Tomb)      Back


Known by his pen name Hāfez (born 1315 Shiraz-died 1390 Shiraz) was the most celebrated Persian lyric poet and is often described as a poet's poet. His Divan is to be found at the home of most Iranians who recite his poems by heart and use as proverb and saying to this day. His life and poems have been the subject of much analysis, commentary, and interpretation and had influenced the course of post-fourteenth century Persian lyrics more than anyone else has.[1]
The major theme of his ghazals are love, the celebration of wine and intoxication, and exposing the hypocrisy of those who have set themselves up as guardians, judges, and examples of moral rectitude.
His presence in the lives of Iranians can be felt through Hafez-reading, frequent use of his poems in Persian traditional music, visual art and Persian calligraphy. His tomb is a masterpiece of Iranian architecture and visited often. Adaptations and translations of Hafez poems exist in major languages.