zahra Bostan; Ali Yousofi; Sara Shariati Mazinani; Sepideh Parsapajouh
Abstract
Souvenirs have material and mental aspects, the layers of meanings attributed to them are social constructs. This research aims to investigate the meaning of blessed souvenirs, how ...
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Souvenirs have material and mental aspects, the layers of meanings attributed to them are social constructs. This research aims to investigate the meaning of blessed souvenirs, how they are sanctified, ways of using and maintaining them by pilgrims. For this purpose, 19 female pilgrims of the shrine of Imam Reza (AS) were interviewed in the summer of 1401. Research findings have shown that pilgrims mainly take three types of blessings (intrinsically blessed objects, purchased souvenirs, and belongings of the pilgrim during the pilgrimage) as their luggage. Pilgrims' motivation to receive blessings has been classified in the form of maintaining current conditions, changing problematic situations, and recording memories for themselves and others. Souvenirs or special gifts are the two main meanings of blessing in the eyes of pilgrims. Its permanence and practicality have been an important feature of blessing among pilgrims. Singularization, the combination of blessings with unholy objects and the gradual consumption of methods of keeping blessed objects by pilgrims.
