Abstract:
This qualitative research used the content analysis technique and in-depth interview to explore the meanings of spiritual commoditization in women magazines and factors that influence the representation of spiritual content. Data was gathered from 36 copied of three women magazines, namely Praew, Lips and ELLE published in 2004. Moreover, editors of the women magazines and magazine section in newspaper and personnel of advertising agencies were interviewed to find out the factors which determine the representation of spiritual content. Results of the research are as follow : Research indicates that; in analyzing the representation of the form and content relating to the spiritual symbolic meanings in the three women magazines, there are content about beauty, food, spa, exercising, and alternative medicine. A 90% of such content appears in the form of advertising, while in the form of product placement in articles. Besides, the spirituality commoditized in women magazines is represented through symbols which signify the profound meanings of such commoditization. Those meanings can be put in five categories which are peacefulness, happiness, relaxation, goodness, and achievement of mental balance, while relaxation is the spiritual meaning mainly used by the magazines. Additionally, the important factor that determines the representation of the spiritual meanings in the women magazines is the social and economic condition