The role of character action in the symbolism of ritual performances

Iranian rituals, based on their type, include: national, religious, and local (regional) rituals that not only form part of the cultural identity of Iranians, but also act as a means of transmitting social values and beliefs, and have a symbolic appearance through the actions of characters in different cultural contexts and performances. Therefore, every ritual follows symbolism in the action of the character in the performance, which leads the audience to a truth beyond material experience. This article examines the role of character action in the symbolism of ritual performances using a descriptive-comparative method. The results of this research show that the higher the action of the character and the performer, and by its nature, the arousal of the audience's feelings in ritual performances, the higher the level of the symbol in ritual performances. Accordingly, through the actions of the performers and the arousing of the emotions of the audience in ritual performances, the objects and props on the stage acquire a symbolic appearance in a structured and hierarchical manner.