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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
Book cover


Understanding affective semiosis in pilgrimage: Affective semiosis in pilgrimage. Creating sacred.

Term

4. term

Education

Publication year

2017

Submitted on

Pages

72

Abstract

The creation of personal culture by performing pilgrimage is explained as the creation of mental objects of endurance in meaning-making (affective semiosis). Affective semiosis is considered as a dynamic process performed by a human being, guided by environment and semiosphere, towards creation of mental objects by using physical objects and expressing devotion to, a social framework. The aim of the article is to create a model for conceptualizing affective semiosis in pilgrimage within a cultural psychological framework informed by cultural-semiotic theory. Pilgrimage is a global, ancient and contemporary practice typically associated with organized religion. Religion is perceived in a Weberian perspective, and tied to Peirce’s semiotics and Valsiner’s cultural psychology which provides the analytical tools. The model is based on universal characteristics of pilgrimages; journey, place and body, and beliefs of the existence of forces influencing life, and of establishing relationships with forces that have residence in special places. The article ends with a summary and a graphical illustration.

The creation of personal culture by performing pilgrimage is explained as the creation of mental objects of endurance in meaning-making (affective semiosis). Affective semiosis is considered as a dynamic process performed by a human being, guided by environment and semiosphere, towards creation of mental objects by using physical objects and expressing devotion to, a social framework. The aim of the article is to create a model for conceptualizing affective semiosis in pilgrimage within a cultural psychological framework informed by cultural-semiotic theory. Pilgrimage is a global, ancient and contemporary practice typically associated with organized religion. Religion is perceived in a Weberian perspective, and tied to Peirce’s semiotics and Valsiner’s cultural psychology which provides the analytical tools. The model is based on universal characteristics of pilgrimages; journey, place and body, and beliefs of the existence of forces influencing life, and of establishing relationships with forces that have residence in special places. The article ends with a summary and a graphical illustration.