The symbolic universe of Arabic letters: An anthropological-linguistic study of Alif, Waw, and Nun

The Arabic alphabet has long been more than a tool for sound representation; it has functioned as a system of symbols deeply embedded in the religious, artistic, and intellectual traditions of Islamic cultures. This paper focuses on three such letters - Alif (ا), Waw (و), Nun (ن) - each of which carries profound symbolic significance in Islamic intellectual and artistic traditions.