The tress or curls represents the manifestation of divine beauty in the beloved, which mesmerizes the lover and draws his attention. Sometimes, the experience of the beloved’s outward beauty prevents the lover from going beyond it and reaching the beloved’s spiritual reality. In this sense, the beloved’s tress tests the lover’s resolve on the path of love.
With her dishevelled tress, the beloved draws the lover’s attention. With its loops, she creates trials and turbulence. And with its twists, she confronts him with puzzles and riddles.
The tress first draws the lover in, and then tests his resolve. But when the beloved sees the lover’s steadfastness and commitment to the path of love, she reveals to him the mysteries of love through the movement of her tress.
As Hafez says:
One day, to behold the spectacle of her curls, Hafez’s heart set out
It intended to return, but instead remained there, ensnared for eternity
به تماشاگه زلفش دل حافظ روزی
شد که بازآید و جاوید گرفتار بماند
