The basic aim of this study is to analyze the perceptions the students, teachers and administrators have with respect to the concept of the principal through the use of metaphors. The field of study comprises 600 stııdents studying at schools, 203 teachers and 51 administrators working at schools in the educational year of 2004-2005. The data of the study have been obtained by way of questionnaires. In the analysis of the data mean, standard deviation, t test and one-way analysis of variance have been used. The results obtained in this study are as follows: While metaphors associated with their principals were received by the students a most at medium level the principals were seen by teachers and administrators as researcher, controller, mentor, educator, director, coach, conductor and leader. It was established that principals were regarded by participants as mother/father, caring, authority, king, boss, gardener and judge at medium and low levels. Among the views of participants, although there are no differences with respect to gender, educational state and symbol seniority, difference with respect to duty has been determined.

Keywords: principal, metaphor, metaphors with respect to the concept of principal.