Visualizing belief and piety in Iranian Shiism / Ingvild Flaskerud.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Flaskerud, Ingvild, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Art and religion--Iran.

Art and religion.

Islam and art.

Shīʻah--Doctrines.

Shīʻah.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (314 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Continuum, 2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

"The representation of prophets and saints in Islam is erroneously considered nonexistent by many scholars of Islam, Muslims, and the general public. The issue is often dealt with superficially without attention to its deep roots in piety and religiosity. Visualizing Belief and Piety in Iranian Shiism offers new understanding of Islamic iconography and Muslim perspectives on the use of imageries in ritual contexts and devotional life. Combining iconographic and ethnographic approaches, Ingvild Flaskerud introduces and analyzes imageries (tile-paintings, posters and wall-hangings), ritual contexts and interviews with male and female local viewers to discuss the representation, reception and function of imageries in contemporary Iranian Shia environments. This book presents the argument that images and decorative programmes have stimulating qualities to mentally evoke the saints in the minds of devotees and inspire their recollection, transforming emotions and stimulating cultic behaviours. Visualization and seeing are significant to the dissemination of religious knowledge, the understanding of spiritual and ethical values, the promotion of personal piety, and functions as modes of venerating God and the saints."--Bloomsbury Publishing.

Contents:

Note on transliteration

Preface

Introduction

Part I. The portrait of Imam Ali: 1. The emergence of a prototypical model and its survival

2. Imam Ali in Shia memory

3. The iconography of Imam Ali and its reception

Part II. The battle at Karbala: 4. The battle at Karbala in Shia memory and piety

5. Visual Karbala narratives in Shia piety

6. The parcham wall hanging

7. Representation and reception of Karbala in colour posters

Part III. Images and decorative designs in ritual space: 8. The image as a votive gift

9. Images in the liturgy of commemoration and celebration

10. Decorative programmes across gendered ritual space

11. Transposing iconography

Conclusion: visualizing and seeing in the service of Islam.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9786613207500

9781472548788

1472548787

9781283207508

1283207508

9781441186782

1441186786

OCLC:

741690698