Analysis of conceptual metaphors of life after death in Nahj al-Balaghah

The last world and related concepts to the resurrection are a complex issue that can be understood through conceptual metaphors and with the help of tangible and repetitive experiences; Such statements have been widely used in Nahj-ul-Balagha. This article follows the mentioned subject using cognitive linguistics and with the approach of George Lakoff and Mark Johnson regarding metaphors. The results of this study demonstrate that most of conceptual domains of this world that are in the mapping of the afterlife are: travel (67), human and human characteristics (43), trade (13), war (7), And finally animals and animal characteristics (4). In addition to these macro-conceptual domains, there is a network of micro metaphorical concepts that highlight the specific features of concept of destination and displayed them to the audiences. Each of these metaphors is applied in proportion to the purpose and the requirement of audience’s status. Thus, it provides various perspectives of the afterlife.