This paper deals with the symbolism of veil within the framework of the distinction
between being and quiddity. The aim of the paper is to try to illustrate a symbolic
reflection of a metaphysical distinction. In this context, it is seen that metaphysical
expressions about the symbolism of veil progress in two directions, that the symbol is
used as the counterpart of being in one direction and quiddity in the other. In this
direction, the concept of veil is generally used together with the concepts of light and dark
in a symbolic sense. Accordingly, the veils of light symbolize existence, while the veils
of darkness symbolize hiding and invisibility. In terms of being and light, the veil
resembles the spatial category that makes the whole of the world visible in itself, while
in terms of its quiddity and darkness, it resembles the aspect of this category that
separates, conceals and distances. In metaphysics, being is accepted as the cause of both
unity and multiplicity. Although the perception of being in itself basically gives the idea
of unity, it is very difficult to reach this idea through the outside world. In order to
overcome this difficulty, the being needs to be represented by symbolic expressions.
Ontologically, the veil is the differences that appear between the layers of being, and they
are almost infinite. In this respect, the veil performs an important task such as reducing
the severity of the being and providing the opportunity for coming into being to the lower
layers of being. Thus while every ontological plane ordered from top to bottom is mercy
for below, it is a kind of distancing and ignorance in regard to what is above. If this
situation is to be understood in the context of causality, every cause would encompass its
effect, and not the vice versa. As for the quiddity, it is like a locus where being becomes
visible. In this respect, the quiddity is similar to the contingent being, namely the shadow.
Quiddity has a dual function in terms of the being in the mind. On the one hand, the
quiddities are the products of the mind and prevent the cognition of the pure being, on the
other hand, they are means of knowing of the being. Since it is easier for the mind to grasp
the veils, the quiddities, most people perceive the quiddities, not the being qua being.
