Geography and Regional Planning

Geography and Regional Planning

The Formation of Sacrificial Traditions in the Geography of Iran: A Comparative Study of the Concept of Sacrifice Among Mythology and Common Social Beliefs Among Followers of Zoroastrian, Mandaean, and Jewish Religions

Authors
Sahar Bazrafshan Qaleh 1
Soroush Fathi 2
Bahman Namvar Motlagh 3
1 PhD student, Department of Sociology, Dehaqan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Dehaqan, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 Associate Professor, Department of Language and Literature, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/jgeoq.2022.316927.3440
Abstract
This research deals with a geographical study of sacrificial traditions in Iran, focusing on Zoroastrian, Mandaean, and Jewish societies. The main goal is a comparative analysis of the concept of sacrifice in the mythologies and social beliefs of these religions in order to discover the connection between mythological ideas and common rituals in different regions of Iran (Tehran, Yazd, Isfahan, Hamadan, and Khuzestan). The research method is qualitative and descriptive-analytical. The findings show that sacrificial traditions in all three religious groups have been shaped by geographical-cultural factors and mythological background. For example, sacrifice in Zoroastrianism has a more sacred and symbolic aspect, while in Mandaeans and Jews, a strong connection with purification and vow rituals is observed. Regional differences in the way the rituals are performed (such as the type of animals sacrificed or the time of the event) are also clearly identifiable. The results of the study emphasize that sacrifice is not only a religious act, but also a reflection of the interaction of the geographical environment, history, and local culture. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the ritual diversity of Iran and the role of geography in the formation of beliefs.
Keywords
Sacrificial traditions
religious geography
Zoroastrians
Mandaeans
Iranian Jews
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