Look at a field research

Small box of spirituality

Elham Saleh
Translated by Fazel Shirazd

2016-7-10

Note: We simply ignore many issues. We get used to it in our life properly. We see, but we pretend not to see, we hear but we pretend not to hear. We can’t receive any benefit in this way. The book "The secret of mirror box"[1] is perhaps a flip to see better, but not only see but also research about things that are very familiar, but in fact are strangers. “The secret of mirror box” is devoted to this issue; the mirror boxes that we see in martyrs’ cemetery, but we are not aware of its existential philosophy.

Chapters of the book

The issues of the book “The Secret of mirror box”, has been divided as: Preface of publisher, Introduction, mother of martyr and motherly aspect of mirror box, status of deprivation, collapsed world, how is appearance of mirror box? (thinking about appearance), arrangement, window of mirror box, screens, mirror, artificial flowers, sacred objects (Qur'an, prayer, prayer seal, prayer beads, ring) and personal belongings, bullet and other instruments of war, Behesht-e Zahra cemetery and conclusion.

This division seems to be comprehensive and complete is provided in content part of the book and in a different graphics than other books.

Typology

The author has used typology in his book; “something what is alive will be grown, and something is growing, will be raised. A tree that is raised, it is alive. In Iranian culture, cypress tree that is raiser then other trees and it is green, is a symbol of life. It is a sign that shows political life of government, it is flag, persistence in Islam, in addition showing a symbol to say prayer; it can be seen in dome and minaret.”

Each of these symbols is well connected to the “mirror box”. The mirror box is also a symbol of persistence, and it is the best proof for the viability of a martyr.

Features of “mirror box”

In another part of the book, in addition to refer the point that "mirror box" is another frame of martyr, an explanation is also referred to characteristics of mirror box: "mirrors box usually put on the ground and is placed on grave of martyr by two or four legs and are firmly built by cement”. Mirror boxes are usually between one and two meters in height, and they are between thirty centimeters to one meter in lengths. Of course, there are boxes to lengths of three meters and more.”

Then the mirror box is divided into three categories structurally; a mirror box that one of four sides is glass and three other ones are closed, a mirror box that is glass in three side of front and sides, and behind side of box is not glass, and a mirror box that its every four vertical sides are glass and inside of box is visible.

It seems that author interview with box makers to collect information and achieve raw material from the interviews.

The social sciences and comparison

There are interesting comparisons in the book “the secret of mirror box”. For example, the cemetery is likened to a museum in the chapter " Behesht-e Zahra cemetery”; “In a way, cemetery is like a museum. Regardless of the aesthetic and symbolic aspect of objects in the museum, there is an incredible similarity between walking in the corridors of the museum and walking in the cemetery. Common desire to inspect and read the names and dates of gravestone and see the objects and read the information in the museum, close both of them to an issue that it seems death is behind of them”

Author of the book has not forgotten comparison and typology beside the information about objects inside the mirror box. Moreover in this book, footprints of the social sciences can be seen as well. An example of this point can be seen in the relationship between the cemetery and the big cities: “Image of cemetery of each big city is not attractive and seductive as image of the city, because the thinking that made by big city (thinking about development) is not in good relationship with cemetery and concept of death. It not means that everything in big city is in strict relationship, but big city is a place where there is not any opportunity to appear new fundamental concept such as life and death.”

The secret of objects

There are some objects in the mirror box that each ones has concept. The secret of each box is told in the book" the secret of mirror box". window, screen, photo of martyr, mirror, candle, candlestick, artificial flower and vase, Quern and Mafatih al-Janan, prayer seal, prayer beads, photo of holy Imams, photo of holy shrines, container of rosewater, container of smell, head band, scarf, plaque, bullet and shell of a bullet, waist band, lantern, cookery light and flag of Iran are objects that includes of information for addressees. For example, it was written about mirror box: "   mirror is one of common objects in mirror box; because mirror values more than flower and vase in Iranian culture. Generally, Mirror is an object that reflects the world for human being. Mirror in the mirror box is a tool for self- knowing in the word of martyr.  Mirror in the mirror box is too small so that it can only reflect me.”  In the book, the author writes about other objects that are less value than other objects.

Superficial features with main contents

The book “the secret of mirror box” is published on glass paper and it shows that author knew about the major role of photo in the book well.  In this book, some photos also published about mirror box on different pages. Quality of photos and books are improved by glass papers. Photos used for content, it includes of sending forces to Sacred Defense, mirror box, its inner arrangement, attending of mothers in martyr cemetery, martyr cemetery of different cities such as Suleiman Masque, Tabriz, Gatund and Selin village. The volume of book is also designed by a mirror box with Eslimi designs that name of book is written by Nastaliq font under the picture.  Last 28 pages of the book "the secret of mirror box" specially are devoted for pictures of mirror box and martyr cemetery.

The book “The secret of mirror box” has a little endnotes and don’t has reference that perhaps there is not any necessary for it as done field research by author.

“The secret of mirror box” is a considerable book that author used of his feeling to write it. But it can be consider as historiography, and some useable and valuable subjects and issues are provided by using typology, philosophy and sociology in the book. Book's subject is shown well that author used of field research to gather them. The result of these researches is also a publishing a book that reveals the secret of mirror box.