Trees symbolize life, rootedness, and continuous growth. In many spiritual and mythological traditions, trees serve as a connection between earth and sky, between the unconscious and the conscious mind. The branches growing from the book in "Mea" suggest that knowledge is not static or linear. It branches out, evolves, and becomes something organic. It reflects the idea that intellectual growth is not separate from personal transformation.
Books have long represented wisdom, inner development, and the act of shaping one's perspective. In sacred texts, philosophical writings, and personal journals, books act as vessels of insight and exploration. In this illustration, the open book replacing the head symbolizes a mind actively engaged in learning and becoming. It suggests that the story of who we are is always being rewritten through what we take in, question, and integrate.
The hoopoe bird is rich in cultural and mythological meaning. In Persian literature, it is seen as a spiritual guide and seeker of truth. With its distinctive crown and solitary habits, the hoopoe often symbolizes inner vision and nonconformity. In "Mea," the birds rest peacefully on the figure's outstretched arms, suggesting harmony between inner knowing and outer stillness. They act as quiet witnesses to her transformation.
Ripples in a pool symbolize the subtle but far-reaching impact of thought, presence, and intention. Even a small movement can send waves across the surface, just as our inner shifts create unseen effects in the world around us. In "Mea," the ripples beneath the figure suggest her influence, not through force, but through quiet self-awareness. She does not move loudly, yet the water responds.
Together, these symbols create a layered portrait of becoming. "Mea" reflects the way we root into the self while reaching toward understanding. It speaks to the way identity is shaped by what we read, observe, and absorb, as well as how we choose to live and act. This black and white art piece is a meditation on the inner journey, honoring the beauty of growth that is both deep and wide, and the gentle ripples of change it leaves in its wake.