Blindfold

  A blindfold (from Middle English blindfellen) is a garment, usually of cloth, tied to one's head to cover the eyes to disable the wearer's sight. It can be worn when the eyes are in a closed state and thus prevents the wearer from opening them. Even with the eyes open (as permitted by many blindfolds, especially those made of cloth), the user cannot see.

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Applications

Blindfolds can be used in various applications.

• As a Sleep mask: They block out light when sleeping, especially during air travel, or for those who sleep during the day. It is believed that shutting out light allows the user to achieve a deeper level of sleep. They can also provide relief from claustrophobia for Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patients.

• In children's games, such as Pin the Tail on the Donkey and when hitting a piñata.

• During both martial arts and weight lifting to encourage reliance on other senses, such as touch or hearing.

• As a sensory deprivation tool in meditation (to focus attention on oneself rather than outside imagery).

• A kidnapping victim, hostage, prisoner, etc. may be blindfolded to avoid identification of location(s) or people. (A common alternative to this usage is the use of a hood instead.)

• Sometimes by guests who are not captured are still blindfolded or may consent to be blindfolded for the same reasons, as occurs in fiction when being led/driven to their respective hideouts.

• By the recipient of an execution by firing squad.

• Before sunglasses, they were worn as the primary facial cover for those who could not see. This usage, though uncommon, is still practised in modern times.

In popular culture

• In the anime Ragnarok: The Animation the character Takius wears a blindfold (an item from the MMORPG called a "dark blinder").
• The video game Kingdom Hearts 2 as well as accompanying videos deep dive and feature one of the main characters Riku wearing a blindfold to hide his eyes.
• The character "Blank" from the video game Final Fantasy IX wears an elaborate blindfold, thought the reason for this is never given.
• Blindfold Me, a 2006 song by Kelis featuring Nas from her album Kelis Was Here about blindfolded sex.

References