نهر قويق في الشعر العربي تسميته ودلالاته

This study explores the of rivers in Arabic literature, focusing particularly on the Quwaik River—one of the most renowned rivers in the city of Aleppo—as a poetic and aesthetic symbol rich in linguistic and symbolic meanings. The attention given to this subject stems from the fact that rivers have transcended their natural status to become cultural and poetic symbols representing purity, continuity, and renewal. Rivers in Arabic poetry, are often associated with themes such as longing, immortality, and belonging. The main research problem lies in understanding the intense presence of the Quwaik River in Arabic poetry, especially in the context of Aleppo, and investigating how this river transformed from a simple watercourse into a symbolic and spiritual entity in poetic imagination. The research aims to examine the linguistic meaning of the word “river” in Arabic, analyze the name “Quwaik” and its connotations, and trace the river’s usage in poetic texts—especially in mystical, patriotic, and emotional contexts. The study adopts a descriptive and analytical methodology, relying on poetic evidence mentioning the Quwaik River. The clarity of its water, its coolness, and the harmony of its flow provided a source of inspiration for poets, who employed rhetorical devices such as metaphor, simile, and paronomasia to depict the river as a living being symbolizing purity, peace, and eternity. The research is divided into two main sections: the first addresses the general meaning of rivers in Arabic language and poetry, while the second focuses specifically on the Quwaik River—its name, linguistic interpretation, and poetic imagery. Ultimately, the study concludes that the Quwaik River has become a poetic symbol of the fusion between nature and the soul, occupying a unique place in the poetic imagination and exemplifying the centrality of nature in Arabic literary expression.