Imaginary Folkloric Beings in the Iranian People’s Beliefs

Abstract

Folkloric beings have played important roles in the cultures of different countries in the world since ancient times. In Iran they have formed a part of people's beliefs and culture. They have been of great significance in the lives of the Persians. An attempt is made in this paper to study the Iranian people's beliefs in these beings; for this purpose the author has focused on the beliefs of different people located in different parts of Iran. The Persians, in the past, used to enact some of these beliefs in the form of rituals which were meant to protect their family members. These beliefs have been useful in the education of children too. There have been such folkloric beings which have affected even the lives of the adults in Iran, and have encouraged the latter to overcome their fears. The author has made an attempt to collect data through library sources. As a result, he has found out that the rituals concerning these imaginary beings have been held in dramatic forms, and have been attributed with such elements like plot, actor and stage designing.