Idealising martyrdom and Jordanian militarism in the Martyr's Memorial in Amman: A social semiotic approach.

Since its inauguration in 1977, the Jordanian Martyr's Memorial and Museum (called in Arabic Sarh Al-Shaheed) has gained symbolic status as the national army-museum. Its immense and distinctive architectural design, the arrangement of spaces and exhibits allow it to host large collections of exhibits which illustrate the history of modern Jordan, and show the development of its armed forces, and commemorates the sacrifices of the Jordanian soldiers. It is a major tourist site and considered a national educational and cultural. Using a social semiotic approach to reveal how the structure and its displays all realise an ideology where nation, culture, religion, and history become infused with militarism. Analysis reveals how symbolism, abstraction, and realism combine to document the actions of the Jordanian military. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]