Zeynep Hatun

(1420? - 1474) was the first known female Divan poet of the Ottoman Empire.

Raised in or near Amasya, Hatun received a good education, learning Arabic and Persian. Her father was a person of privilege, working as a judge. She would later move to Istanbul.

Much of her poetry no longer exists. However, contemporary accounts record that her poetry often discussed wanting to be wiser or more intellligent. Her poetry also focused on gender norms (masculinity, femininity).

Verse translation|Keşfet nikabını yeri göğü münevver et Bu âlem anasırı firdevs-i enver et. Depret lebini cüşe getir hacz-i kevseri Amber saçını çöz bu cinanı muattar et. Hattın berat verdi saba yeline dedi Tez er hatay'a çin'i tamam et müseehhar et. Yâra yolunda âşk ile derdinden ölenin Kim der sana ki hecr ile cânın mükedder et. Zeynep çü dost zülfü gibi tarümarsın Divane olma şiirini divan ü defter et. Zeyneb ko meyli zinet-i dunyaya zen gibi Merdane var sade-dil ol terk-i ziver it.|Cast off thy veil, and heaven and earth in dazzling light array! As radiant Paradise, this poor demented world display! Move thou thy lips, make play the ripples light of Kevser's pool! Let loose thy scented locks, and odors sweet through earth convey! A musky warrant by thy down was traced, and zephyr charged: "Speed, with this scent subdue the realms of China and Cathay!" O heart! should not thy portion be the Water bright of Life, A thousand times mayst thou pursue Iskender's darksome way. O Zeyneb, woman's love of earthly show leave thou behind;

Some reports say that Hatun knew Mihri Hatun and interacted in their poetry. However, as Hatun died in 1474 and Mihri Hatun was born in 1456/1460, their relationship, if any, differs between sources.