Typology of Mind-Healer Dolls in the Iranian Cultures

This research seeks to recognize the mind-healer ritual dolls in Iran. These dolls are made or destroyed in rituals to reduce the psychological burden, stimulate a sympathetic sense. This article is a development and historical descriptive study. The data collection was document and fieldwork. The statistical population of the research was the Iranian mind-healer ritual dolls. The studied cases can be divided into two general historical and imaginary groups. The historical dolls are divided into two categories: Dolls from the Iranian history, and Dolls derived from the history of Islam. Also, among the imaginary dolls, one can specify three categories: Dolls derived from the mythological creatures, the ones from the literary characters, and the dolls used to meet every day needs. The use of dolls as a replication of a strong "Other", or the symbol of supernatural forces, has been a method to express all the words that nature, political power, ruling religion, or general beliefs have made them inexpressible for the doll maker. The ritualistic destruction of these dolls has led to the complaints of nature, abandonment of anger, and relaxation from the psychological burden.