Turkey - Dervish dancers in Istanbul

Dervish dancers whirl always from right to left, in the motions of the blood circulating around the heart and hold their hands in a unique position. The right hand is lifted, palm-out, towards god and his gifts. The left is palm down towards the earth, to both draw forth its sustenance and to deliver god's gifts of the spirit to humanity. The dancers usually spin to the sounds of a reed flute. The flute symbolizes how human pain (the holes in the flute) can be transformed into beautiful music and a source of celebration. Today the dance is performed by troupes all over the world, and especially in and around Istanbul.