The Arabic phrase "كسا دمه الارض بالارجوان" (pronounced "kasa damuh al-ard bi-l-'arjuwan") means "His blood dyed the earth purple." It is a poetic expression often used to describe the sacrifice of a brave warrior who dies in battle. The color purple is traditionally associated with martyrdom and sacrifice, and the phrase suggests that the warrior's blood has given life to the land.
The phrase is also sometimes used figuratively to describe any act of great sacrifice or courage. For example, one might say that a scientist who dedicates their life to research has "كسا العلم بالارجوان" (kasa al-'ilm bi-l-'arjuwan), meaning that their work has "dyed knowledge purple."
Here are some examples of how the phrase "كسا دمه الارض بالارجوان" has been used in poetry and literature:
- In the poem "قصيدة للشاعر الفلسطيني الشهيد بإذن الله" (Qasidat li-l-sha'ir al-Filastini al-shahid bi-idhni Llah), the Palestinian poet Ali Ibn Mas'oud al-Ma'sha'ni describes the death of a martyr:
كسا دمه الأرض بالأرجوان وأثقل بالعطر ريح الصبا وعفّر منه بهيّ الجبين ولكن عُفاراً يزيد البهاء وبان على شفتيه ابتسامٌ معانيه هزءٌ بهذي الدنيا ونام ليحلم حلماً الخلود ويهنأ فيه بأحلى الرؤى لعمرك هذا مماتُ الرجال ومن رام موتاً شريفاً فذا فكيف اصطباري
This poem describes the martyr's death as a transformation, as his blood turns the earth purple and his spirit becomes one with the wind. The martyr's smile suggests that they are at peace and that their death is a noble one.
- In the novel "الريح العاتية" (al-Rih al-'Aati'), the Syrian author Tawfiq al-Hakim uses the phrase to describe the death of a young man who is killed in a protest:
سقط الشاب على الأرض، وحول رأسه كان هناك بقعة بلون العنّابي، لقد كسا دمه الأرض بالأرجوان
This passage describes the young man's death as a tragedy, as his blood has stained the earth with a color that is both beautiful and tragic.
The phrase "كسا دمه الارض بالارجوان" is a powerful and evocative expression that can be used to describe a variety of sacrifices and acts of courage. It is a reminder that even in the face of death, there is still beauty and hope.