about shoppe exhibit A join submissions contact Whirling Dervishes and their relevance to our editorial policy. A whirling dervish is a mystical dancer who stands between the material and cosmic worlds. His dance is part of a sacred ceremony in which the dervish rotates in a precise rhythm. The dervish represents the earth revolving on its axis while orbiting the sun. The purpose of the ritual is for the dervish to empty himself of all distracting thoughts, placing him in trance. Released from his physical body, he elevates beyond the rational to enter a plane of existence which transcends understanding. Please be advised that all material bearing the Vitally Important seal has been quality inspected after the dizziness wears off.