Natural symbolism
The imagery that best describes the allegory of this sacred Conference is the imagery of nature, and more specifically nature that naturally signifies the spiritual intention of the poetry. Birds are nature's best depiction for the departure of the soul from the body, because birds can detach themselves from their obligation to the earth by flight. Their ability to defy gravity is a natural symbol for transcendence, as well. The fact that animals naturally flock in community with a leader is also helpful imagery for these poem.
Hierarchy and stages
Nature is shown to be in stages of power, like castes. This is a symbolic commentary on order and competition. One might say that to be eligible to see the true "king bird," a sight which is legendary even to other birds, one must be exceptional. This is like nature's selective quality, especially since the journey is defined by risk and danger. By proving one's self worthy of enlightenment, a bird simultaneously proves their eligibility to live. The birds are winnowed away by trials that expose their stages of development.
Valleys and decomposition
What is more opposite to the heights of bird flight than the depths of earth's most treacherous valleys. The valley imagery is probably an extension of the symbolism found in the Qur'an and in various other religious texts in circulation. There, valleys are a test, because the mountain-top symbolizes closeness to God and true enlightenment in both Islam and in all Abrahamic religions (Noah, Abraham, Solomon, David, Jesus, and Mohammed all experience God through mountain-top enlightenment). Valleys are a suitable imagery for the inversion of that enlightenment.
Unity with nature and God
The imagery of this poetry strives toward a goal with sincere desperation. The birds in this story are sincerely striving for unity with the king bird of ancient folklore. The job of their animal wisdom, symbolized by the wise and also mythic bird of Hoopoe, is to point their attention toward the ultimate and seemingly unattainable goal with oneness with God. This also brings them into absolute harmony with their own nature, because God and nature are paradoxically one in Sufi mysticism.
