Vessels symbolize servants and lads while stoves, hearths, grates, cauldrons, lamps, table-cloths etc. symbolize grief, sorrow and anxiety which will be felt by the head of the household if the Arabic masculine equivalent is used for any of the above words. But if it is used as a feminine such as qidr, qifah, maa’idah, musarrajah and qas’ah, then they symbolize a person’s wife. As for the word sufrah though feminine, it symbolizes the husband all the same. (Qidr: Cauldron, cooking pot; Qifah: large basket; Maaidah: tablecloth; Musarrajah: lamp; Qas’ah: trough)
Cups, saucers, plates, trays, kettles, and other items made of lead or copper are all symbolic of a person’s servants and lads.
