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...Show moreThis 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.Show less
