Religious Symbols Research Articles

A Formalist Approach to Religious Imagery in <em>The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe</em> by C. S. Lewis

One of the most popular novels written for children is The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis (2005). However, this novel is controversial amongst critics because it contains religious symbols. This research argues that The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe has its way of presenting religious symbols implicitly therefore children can enjoy reading it. Thus, this research aims to examine the effective presentation of religious symbols in the novel. This research uses the Formalism approach. To support the analysis, the researcher uses library research as the method with the religious symbols found in the novel as the primary data and the books and journals written by experts as the secondary data. The result of this research is The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe presented religious symbols through the characters of children, role models, central subjects and important events of the story of the novel.

FENOMENA PENGGUNAAN SIMBOL-SIMBOL KEAGAMAAN PENGEMIS JALANAN DI KOTA MEDAN

Beggars are people who beg in public in various ways that beggars do in order to get money and goods that are useful for themselves. Begging is also usually done in crowded places such as houses of worship, red lights, markets, and people's homes. By begging someone obtains material easily and does not require the ability to work. The methodology used in this study uses a qualitative approach such as interviews with eleven beggars in the city of Medan. By processing data such as collecting information and analyzing the findings obtained. The large number of beggars in the city of Medan has a negative impact on society with low human resources, especially for religion which is a symbol of making it easier to carry out begging activities such as using caps, headscarves, koko clothes, and other Islamic clothing. The theoretical approach is carried out using the theory of Symbolic Interactionism which has a placement towards a person's way of solving problems in his life through the process of thinking and placing himself as an object and subject. The existence of cooperation between the community and the government can eliminate the phenomenon of begging which is still widely practiced by beggars, moreover Islam is made a begging religion in public, so that religious symbols may not be used for individual use.

PENGUNAAN GAMELAN BHATARA BAGUS SELONDING DALAM TRADISI MEGERET PANDAN DI DESA TENGANAN PEGRINGSINGAN KECAMATAN MANGGIS KABUPATEN KARANGASEM

Gamelan Bhatara Bagus Selonding is a gamelan which is sacred by the people of Tenganan Pegringsingan Village. Gamelan Bhatara Bagus Selonding has an important role in religious activities in Tenganan Pegringsingan Village, especially in the Megeret Pandan tradition. This research was formulated in 3 problems, namely: 1) What is the shape of the Bhatara Bagus Selonding Gamelan instrument in the Megeret Pandan Tradition in Tenganan Pegringsingan Village, Manggis District, Karangasem Regency? 2) What is the function of Gamelan Bhatara Bagus Selonding in the Megeret Pandan Tradition in Tenganan Pegringsingan Village, Manggis District, Karangasem Regency? 3) What does the meaning of Gamelan Bhtara Bagus Selonding in the Megeret pandan Tradition in Tenganan Pegringsingan Village, Manggis District, Karangasem Regency?The problem is examined with three theories namely, the principle of religious principles, aesthetic theory, and symbol theory. The method used in this study is a qualitative method, the process consists of determining the location of research, using qualitative data sourced from informants and relevant written sources, determining research instruments, informants are determined on a representative basis. Data collection through observation, in-depth interviews, literature study and documentation.The results showed that (1) The form of Bhatara Bagus Selonding Gamelan is slonding barungan tools including: 1) Atungguh Paenem, 2) Atungguh patuduh, 3) Atungguh nyongnyong Ageng, 4) Aungguh Nyongnyong Alit, 5) Atungguh Gong Ageng, 6) Atungguh Gong Alit, 7) Atungguh Kempul Ageng, 8) Atungguh Kempul Alit.2) The function of Bhatara Bagus Selonding is as a Superintendent and Pengerahan Megerert pandan. As forming the feeling of courage when playing Gending Kelor curry Gug-curry.3) The meaning contained in the Gamelan Bhatara Bagus Selonding in the Megerert Pandan Tradition is Gamelan Bhatara Bagus Selonding is very purified and made into God (God).

Religious nationalism and home bias

This study explores the impact of religious nationalism on domestic portfolio investment within a country. Examining data from 36 developed and emerging markets spanning the period of 2004-2021, the results suggest that investors from countries with significant religious nationalism sentiment tend to allocate a greater portion of their portfolio to domestic equities, leading to less international diversified portfolios. Religious nationalism promotes cultural uniformity and the preservation of traditional values, prioritizing the protection of religious symbols and customs over embracing innovation. Furthermore, the findings indicate that religious nationalism exacerbates religious discrimination against minority religions, thereby increasing investments in home markets. Moreover, I illustrate that religious nationalism is particularly relevant in emerging markets.

Ma Rainey's Spiritual Blues: Exploring the Intersection of Religion and Musicin Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is a theatrical masterpiece that not only captures the essence of the jazz era but also delves into the complexities of the African American experience, including the role of religion. Religion serves as a nuanced backdrop that adds depth to the characters and their experiences. This paper delves into how religion is portrayed in the play, particularly in the context of spirituality and music, and how it influences the characters and their worldviews. By analysing the spiritual power of music, the contrasting perspectives of Levee and Jeremy on religion, and the subtle religious symbolism, this paper sheds light on the intersection of spirituality and artistry in the lives of Black musicians in 1920s Chicago.

A Symbolic Study of the Religious Character in Modern Theatre: A Case Study of "Rosmersholm"

The play Rosmersholm, one of the social plays aimed at the upper class of society, the clergy, simulates the Norwegian reality on a narrow level in conveying the situation surrounding Rosmersholm. The play begins with the loss of one of its pillars, which is the pastor's wife, Rosmer. The play consists of four chapters and is a social epic that conveys a state of salvation, socio-religious liberation and adherence resulting from family legacies that turn a person towards what he does not aspire to. This study aims to research the symbolism of the spiritual personality and its behaviours to present this type of class that remained closed for a long time and cannot be explored by the general public. It also provides an analytical study of free personalities, resulting in knowledge of the extent of the influence of religion and freedom on individuals. At that time, these two types of characters were considered incompatible and did not meet due to the nature of the religious symbol, closed in on itself, and its distance from religiosity and the church. Combining them together leads to one of the following results:

Tradition of Mejaga-Jaga: Ritual Communication and Perceptions in Menyamabraya

The presence of the Mejaga-jaga Tradition serves as a historical representation of the populace's allegiance to their monarch. This tradition encompasses the pacaruan ritual, which aims to counteract the adverse influence of bhutakala and infuse the sanctity of the universe.The research objective underscores the role of ritual communication in shaping the perceptions of menyamabraya as a means to construct the belief system of the BesangKawanTohjiwa Village community. The study employed a qualitative-interpretative approach with the aim of extracting information to elucidate the research locale, grounded in community experiences and subsequently documenting it in scholarly discourse. The data analysis technique uses the Miles and Huberman model, resulting in an illustration that the Mejaga-jaga Tradition ritual uses the main means of a bantengculawhich is paraded in the ngiderprocession around the village, krama lanangcarry berokanmade of jakatree fronds decorated with bludruleaves and the ends are paired with dewatanawasangaweapons. In the ngiderprocession, the bantengcula is paraded around three times as a symbol of cleansing bhuana agung and bhuana alit, namely alambhur, bwah, and swah. The Mejaga-jaga tradition employs the concept of menyamabraya as a means of ritual communication to influence the perception of the BesangKawanTohjiwa community. Ritual communication is directed towards the elaboration of cultural messages, serving as a mode of logical reasoning, consequently overcoming the challenges associated with public comprehension when interpreting religious symbols and rituals.Menyamabrayais a significant concept for the Balinese people when it comes to understanding tradition and culture. Ritual communication has the potential to influence how Menyamabraya is perceived in the social interactions of the BesangKawanTohjiwa community. This perception is deemed ideal depending on the stimuli it encounters, enabling the development of a belief system that preserves cultural identity.

Sites of Memory in Czechoslovak Silesia 1945–1948

Abstract The paper aims to describe and analyze the changes in public sites of memory in the multi-ethnic border region of Czechoslovak Silesia during the period of restoration of Czechoslovak sovereignty, between the fall of Nazism in May 1945 and the communist putsch in Czechoslovakia in February 1948. This research focuses on transformations and (dis)continuity of cults and symbols during that period, and on specifics and differences within the examined region with regard to ethnic and social structure of local population. Research is based primarily on the recorded agendas of state and district administrations, but preserved memorials and photographs or descriptions of vanished sites of memory also serve as important sources. After the expulsion of German population, the western part of the region was repopulated by settlers from various regions of East-Central Europe. Most of local German sites of memory vanished, with the partial exception of religious symbols and a few “apolitical” memorials. New monuments and memorials were dedicated mainly to personalities of Czech history in an effort to inculcate the “official” identity amongst the new-settlers. In the Ostrava coal basin, the new regime invoked the pre-war tradition of working-class identity and showed tolerance towards the sites of memory of the local Polish minority, except memorials related to the former Czech-Polish border conflicts. In the Hlučín region specifically, a strong pro-German narrative survived despite the “Czechization” efforts of state authorities. In general, the state-supported memory policy aimed to create the narrative of a “Slavic” and “socialist” Silesia, suppress the German past of the region, and weaken frictions between Czechs and Poles.

PERSEPSI DAN EKSPEKTASI DOKTER TERHADAP JASA MEDISDI RS PKU MUHAMMADIYAHNANGGULAN

Background: General practitioners / specialist considerations a hospital which are most suitable to be used as a practice. There are several considerations in determining a doctor's office, one of which is the most powerful pull factor is the amount of medical services to be received from the PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital Nanggulan.
 Objectives: in this study is to describe the perceptions and expectations of general practitioners and specialists for medical services in PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital Nanggulan.
 Method: This study used a qualitative research approach. The study was conducted in PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital Nanggulan, KulonProgo, Yogyakarta during the month of July 2011 - February 2015. The subjects in this study were four general practitioners and four specialists in PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital Nanggulan who has had a license to practice. Data analyze used descriptive qualitatively.
 Result: Perception of general practitioners / specialists in PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital Nanggulan vary according to the characteristics of informants that includes needs, age, status, workplace, social conditions, and hope the doctor. General practitioners revealed that remuneration has been timely received, but not yet in accordance with the load of work done. Specialist physicians perceive that the medical services received are in accordance with the assumption that the meaning of work for informants as worship and religious symbols. General practitioners hope that hospitals provide child support and medical benefits. Specialist doctors have hope in order to meet current needs and hope that PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital Nanggulan can improve the quality and infrastructure for specialists, provide health insurance for specialists, and in order to improve reply to specialist medical services in accordance with the development of the hospital. 
 Conclusion: Remuneration received by general practitioners has on time, but not in accordance with the load of work done. Medical services received by specialists are in accordance with the assumption that the meaning of work for informants as worship and religious symbols.

Epilepsy in Art: A Historical Exploration of Representations Across Eras

This narrative review explores the diverse representations of epilepsy in art across different historical periods, examining the intersection of artistic expression with evolving cultural, medical, and societal perceptions. Beginning with ancient and medieval depictions intertwined with religious symbolism, the paper progresses through the Renaissance, and Baroque, and transitions into modern and avant-garde movements. Each period reflects changing attitudes towards epilepsy, from divine interpretations, and religious concerns to anatomical realism and, later, explorations of psychological themes. The contemporary lens focuses on inclusive and empathetic portrayals, utilizing digital media to challenge stigmas and foster understanding.

The Commodification of Religious Rituals: Representations of Political Actors in Indonesian Elections

Elections in Indonesia are closely linked to religion, with politicians using religion as a medium to appeal to voters. In addition, the increasingly widespread commodification of religious rituals in Indonesian politics confirms that religious symbols in campaigns are still part of democratisation. This research aims to explain how to understand the phenomenon of Islamic religious commodification in the context of democracy in Indonesia, starting from the use of religious symbols, forms of commodification, and their implications. This research uses a descriptive qualitative method to analyse the commodification of religion by three Indonesian politicians running for the Indonesian presidential election 2024. Data was collected from Instagram, with 1,154 posts indicating the commodification of religion. The data was analysed using document searches and experts' views and combined for descriptive analysis. The commodification of religious rituals in Presidential Elections in Indonesia has transformed spiritual values into political interests, using religion to gain support and establish a leadership identity. The three politicians have intertwined religious symbols and relationships with clerics, resulting in Islamic populist ideology and identity politics. This has led to the polarisation of society and the recruitment of politicians for electoral purposes.

′Symbols′ as Expression Tools of Islam and Their Usage Methods in Palace Architecture

Islamic architecture consists of religion, politics, philosophy, and aesthetics. The religious expression of symbols in Islamic architecture is also extremely important in architecture. These religious symbols, which are used in palace buildings and generally in administrative places in the Islamic world, are shaped depending on the function of the buildings. In this period, the palace complexes were considered to be the most important structures representing state politics and economy. In this study, the purposes and methods of use of religious symbols used in many palace complexes of Islamic architecture were investigated. While investigating the main source and usage rules of these symbols in palace architecture, the Quran, which is the foundation of Islam, was examined and the dependence of these symbols on numbers was tried to be revealed with examples.

Religious and Spiritual Dimensions of the Kris: Exploring the Enthusiast’s Perspective

This article investigates the religious and spiritual dimensions of the kris which is a cherised cultural heirloom. This research aims to portray the deepest meaning of the kris according to the kris enthusiasts in East Java. It is essential to see the kris from local knowledge perspectives. In exploring the meaning of the kris as a sacred object, the article puts forth two main questions: how the kris enthusiasts view the kris as a cultural symbol and how religious and spiritual experiences of the kris influence their views on daily life. This research uses a qualitative method with a combination of phenomenology and ethnography approaches. Data collection was through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation, with informants selected using purposive sampling. The results of the research show that firstly, the kris enthusiasts view the kris as a religious symbol that helps build their journey of life. The kris is understood as a symbol of noble values and to contain a philosophy of life that is inseparable from other elements, including beliefs, moral values, art, thoughts and practices, thereby being of great importance for the lives of the kris enthusiasts. Secondly, the religious and spiritual experiences of the kris are not limited to external or ritualistic aspects alone, but also encompass the internal dimension that gives birth to spiritual and religious depth, creating a space of meaning for profound human experience.

Smelting Metals, Enacting Rituals. The Interplay of Religious Symbolisms and Metallurgical Practices in the Ancient Eastern Mediterranean

The archaeological discourse on the development of metallurgy in Anatolia, the Levant and, more generally, the Eastern Mediterranean region has extensively focused on crucial aspects such as procurement routes, technological developments, manufacturing strategies, and socio-economic connotations of metal consumption. On the other hand, potential symbolic and ritualistic aspects permeating mining and metal-making activities have rarely been taken into consideration, largely due to the ephemerality of such traditions and practices in the material record. Extensive studies have analyzed the ritual dimensions of iron and copper metalworking across different belief systems and social structures, from pre-industrial sub-Saharan Africa to pre-classical Andean cultures, from Bronze Age Central Europe to China. Drawing on the contemporary anthropological and archaeological debate on the subject, this contribution identifies and analyzes recurrent semantics of ritualization in metalworking processes, looking at different lines of epigraphic and material evidence from the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age Eastern Mediterranean. The aim is to discuss patterns of correlation between belief systems, ritual behavior, and socioeconomic organizations and to prompt more comprehensive analyses on the complementary technological and symbolic aspects of ancient metallurgical practices.

The Symbolic Strategies of Amédée VIII: A Utopian Vision Examined through Alignments and Artistic Representations

This article explores the intricacies of the Duchy of Savoy during the 15th century, exploring its complex connections with Africa, the Crusades, and the Holy Empire. Focused on the reign of Amadeus VIII, who later became Pope Felix V, the study investigates the unique devotion to Saint Maurice d'Agaune and Saint Anthony the Great within the Duchy. The research unveils new evidence through architectural alignments, religious symbolism, and artistic representations, notably analyzing Konrad Witz's "La Pêche miraculeuse." It discovers significant alignments from Chambéry to Ripaille, Basel, and Magdeburg, indicating political and symbolic strategies. The article introduces the concept of an "inclined cross," aligning Savoy with Magdeburg, Cyprus, Rhodes, and Turin. The symbolic reading of the Savoy Knot, associated with the motto Foedere et Religione Tenemur (F.E.R.T), suggests a mnemonic tool possibly derived from maritime practices, providing insights into the Duchy's unique strategies and perspectives. This Savoyard motto, a relic of the Middle Ages and some of its medals or coins, happily cultivated its reputation for mystery or obscure meaning. The methodology involves expanding references, exploring heraldry, and examining religious and spiritual connections. The article proposes a potential link between Savoy's alignments and Egyptian or Ethiopian influences, supported by pilgrimages from these regions. It suggests the existence of a coherent utopia imagined by Amadeus VIII, fostering a new perspective on the artistic achievements of the time. The erasure of symbolic constructions, orchestrated by subsequent figures like Enea Silvio Piccolomini, is discussed, leaving enigmatic traces of the Duchy's engagement with Africa.

Mediatization of Religion and Its Impact on Youth Identity Formation in Contemporary China

In response to the trend of information technology development, religions in China are undergoing a process of mediatization. This study takes the popular Chinese animated films Ne Zha: Birth of the Demon Child (哪吒之魔童降世) (2019) and New Gods: Yang Jian (新神榜: 杨戬) (2022) as research cases of mediatization of religion and conducts a focused study of the respective protagonists Ne Zha (哪吒) and Yang Jian (杨戬), both prominent figures in Chinese religious and folk traditions. Through text analysis and empirical research on the two movies and their fans, this study examines how religion is being mediatized in contemporary China in the transformation to Religion 2.0 or a type of amalgamation of real- and virtual-world practices that enact a relationship with the divine, and how this shapes identity formation for fans, who are mostly young individuals in their teens and twenties. This research argues that to obtain permission for dissemination in mainstream media and thrive in the cultural context of China, religion chooses to assume the form of media products that can bypass scrutiny that forbids “supernatural phenomena” and aligns with the mainstream ideology. It has to be a “contributory religion” that contributes to the “revitalization” of national spirit and inherited Chinese culture, not a potential “superstitious” threat to the Marxist orthodoxy. In the context of official promotion of atheism and the regulation of public discourse, animated films with themes adapted from traditional mythological and religious stories, such as Ne Zha: Birth of the Demon Child and New Gods: Yang Jian, have become a major cultural form through which people in China engage with religious symbols and narratives. The enormous success of the two movies resulted in a large population of young fans. Influenced by these films, their fans have developed an egoistic religious perspective rather than assimilating the religious or cultural messages contained in the movies. These fans may experience solace and a call to faith to some extent in their consumption of the movies, but they selectively enhance religious literacy that only meets their personal needs. Interest in divine individuals far outweighs interest in or loyalty to the religious doctrine or sect itself. Pilgrimages are undertaken to fulfill personal fantasies, and the promotion of the divine is aimed at vying for influence within fan communities. The second part of this study examines the activities of the fans that I argue are characteristic of the age of Religion 2.0.

Religious Conflict Between Israeli and Hamas: Naming of Weapons and Battles

This research underscores the critical role of language representations in warfare, showing how naming can be a robust instrument in psychological war and narrative construction. The paper analyzes the naming practices for weaponry and battles in the Israeli-Hamas conflict, stressing the extensive use of religious and ideological symbolism by both parties. Tracking the historical and cultural contexts behind these conventions, the researchers highlight the great impact of naming on the conflict as a whole. Studying the various names given to weapons and wars, the paper unveils the deeply-rooted religious ideologies and political discourse used by Israel and Hamas. The findings reveal that naming conventions are not random, rather they are strategic tools that aim at legitimizing and obtaining support, as well as reflecting the conflict's sociopolitical dimensions. The study also found that naming practices contributes to constructing identities and justifying actions in the Israeli-Hamas conflict, illustrating the interaction of physical and symbolic elements in military and ideological strategies. In conclusion, the study provides a new perspective on the interdependent relationship between language, history, religion, and warfare.

From religious citizen to multicultural citizen: Changing conceptualizations of citizenship and belonging in Canada

The religious landscape in Canada has shifted dramatically during the past 50 years, from a country whose population and social institutions were inextricably entangled with Christianity to one which has an increasing number of people who do not identify with a religion at all. Citizenship in this context has shifted from a nation whose imaginary was predominantly Christian, with diversity conceptualized in rather limited ways to one characterized by (non)religious diversity and a multicultural reality. Yet, there are growing pains as majoritarian religion confronts a changing power dynamic and the new diversity. These growing pains have potentially negative implications for education. This article considers the new diversity, the articulation of religious symbols and practices as culture, and the implications of these for citizenship and living well together.

Divine Mandates and Political Realities: Exploring Power, Religion, and Transition in The Gambia

This article analyses the role of religious symbolism and religiosity during The Gambia’s autocracy (1994–2017) and its democratic transition (2017–2023). Former autocratic ruler, Yahya Jammeh, exploited religious symbolism to legitimise his authority, leading to crackdowns, extrajudicial punishment, and political repression. Drawing on community engagements and interviews with 61 civil-society members, political actors, community stakeholders, and girls in rural and urban areas across The Gambia’s West Coast Region, the findings highlight the influence of cultural and value systems, particularly the intersection of religion and politics, in shaping the country’s autocracy. Exploring some of the nuances of religious ideology and religious symbols concerning the state, The Gambia’s political history allows for deeper examinations of power dynamics within the broader cultural and societal context. By adopting a multidimensional perspective of power that incorporates religion, cultural values, and ethnic dimensions, this article offers new perspectives for analysing power structures and transformations in diverse socio-political settings.

The ‘Gospel’ according to Vygotsky? Reflections on the role of symbolic mediation in religious education

As perspectives from the Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky have made a substantial impact in the field of educational sciences, they have generated interest even in the field of religious education. To address some possible implications of Vygotskyan perspectives for religious education, this study focuses on Vygotsky’s notion of symbolic mediation, compared with perspectives from theological publications, interviews with religiously affiliated students as well as curricula and textbooks. Based on a comparison and discussion of these sources, the study argues that Vygotsky’s psychological perspective on symbolic mediation as key to human self-determination is not in conflict with theological and empirical approaches to religious symbols but that the latter display a wider variety of perspectives. It is argued that while religious education may benefit from Vygotskyan perspectives, a reflection is also needed on how to deal with the framing of religious symbols by varying theological positions and conflicting worldviews in different religious education settings.