AstronautsRichard H. Truly andGuion Bluford sleeping on board the Challenger. Bluford, in the foreground (upside-down) wears a sleep mask. Astronauts may find itdifficult to sleep in space, especially if they are light sensitive.Sleep mask
Ablindfold (fromMiddle Englishblindfellen) is agarment, usually ofcloth, tied to one's head to cover theeyes to disable the wearer'ssight. While a properly fitted blindfold prevents sight even if the eyes are open, a poorly tied or trick blindfold may let the wearer see around or even through the blindfold.
As a sleep mask: They block out light when sleeping, especially duringair travel, or for those who sleep during the day, given that shutting out light[1] allows the user to achieve a deeper level of sleep.[2][3] They can also provide relief fromclaustrophobia formagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patients.
As a way to keep akidnapping victim,hostage, prisoner, etc., from being able to identify locations or people.
To cover the eyes of a blind person for health or cosmetic reasons. (Since the invention ofsunglasses, this is much less common.)
As aprop inmagic tricks. One common trick involves a blindfolded performer doing a task that requires vision, such as driving.[4]
As an aid to simulateblindness during training ofOrientation and Mobility Specialists, so that they develop empathetic understanding of blindness and learn how to rely on their other senses to get to know the environment and move around freely and independently.
During executions, to relax and calm the accused, as they will be unable to see their execution and thus less likely to panic.
Sexual activity may include blindfolding. They can be constructed with feathers and sold with handcuffs in novelty "bondage kits".[citation needed] Many impromptu items already found in the bedroom lend themselves to such use without preparation or prior purchase of specialized equipment.
Use of a blindfold is said to enhance the remaining senses of the wearer, focusing attention on sound, smells and physical contact. This increased awareness is said to allow for greater excitement and anticipation by eliminating visual cues, as one cannot see what to expect. It also requires trust of thesubmissive, with all the emotional ramifications that entails.[5]
The blindfold has been a powerful symbol indivination andmythology since the 15th century.
In law, it is seen being worn byLady Justice, to represent objectivity and impartiality.[6]
The blindfold as a symbol is also a common theme intarot and other divination methods. It can represent themes of the victim, resistance to clarity, denial, or limited views. It is often accompanied by underlying themes of integrity and truth at a cost. Likewise, the icon of the blindfold can symbolize the dichotomy of the conscious and the unconscious, as wearing a blindfold represents a stasis or a lesser state of consciousness, whereas taking off one's blindfold represents a form of awakening or rebirth. It also represents connection to feeling over senses, emphasizing the importance of emotion overperception.[7]
