Leiden University Student Repository

Soltani Zadeh, Wedad (2021)

Two Durkheimian meaning layers: An analysis of symbols in spiritual experiences of Iranian Armenians

Bachelor thesis | Religiewetenschappen (BA)

This thesis research is about the symbols that appear in the interview reports of the spiritual experiences of seven Iranian Armenians. It analyzes these symbols using a Durkheimian approach, which is comprised of Émile Durkheim’s (1858-1917) and Wilbur Urban’s (1873-1952) theories. Specifically, the social functions of symbols are researched, following Durkheim, and the meaning layers of symbols are analyzed, following Urban. The Iranian Armenian symbols turn out to vary in their social function, and consist of a concrete and an abstract meaning layer. Most of them trace their origin to the participants’ Armenian Orthodox Christian denomination. The symbols that do not, are still influenced by the group religion concerning their meanings. This implies that the group religion is important for the meaning assignment of individuals.

Durkheim

Urban

Iranian Armenians

spirituality

symbols

Author

Soltani Zadeh, Wedad

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Supervisors

Williams, C.L.
Krijger, T.E.M.

ECTS Credits

15

Language

en