Riyadh: Traditional vocabulary returns to prominence as summer heat intensifies, reflecting the linguistic heritage created by the people of the Arabian Peninsula to describe the desert, its seasons, and natural phenomena. Among these expressions is "Ashab Al-Lal," a phrase associated with the hottest summer hours and used in central Arabia to describe the vivid mirage appearing over the barren landscape.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the term combines "Al-Lal," meaning mirage, and "Ashab," referring to a color blending white and black, capturing the striking appearance of the phenomenon. Over time, the phrase evolved beyond a description of nature into a literary image symbolizing desert heat which inspired both poetry and contemporary art.

Saudi artist Ahmed Mater drew inspiration from the expression in his artwork "Ashab Al-Lal," currently being developed in Al-Ula Governorate. The installation explores the connection between light, perception, and the desert landscape through a geometric structure carved into the earth that uses natural light and mirrors to recreate the mirage effect.

The phrase remains a symbol of the Arabian Peninsula's rich linguistic heritage and the enduring relationship between the desert, language, and creativity.