Russian Myths

Russian Myths
Author: Elizabeth Warner
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Total Pages: 84
Release: 2002-07-01
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9780292791589

The coming of Christianity to the state of Kievan Rus' at the end of the tenth century had an enormous impact on the development of Russian civilization. Despite the abandonment of the pagan gods, both Christian and pagan practices and beliefs continued to coexist for centuries, producing a system known as "dual faith." Russian Myths deals with mythic beliefs, notions, and customs—concerning the veneration of earth, water, fire, and air, demons and spirit-beings in the world of nature, the cult of the dead, and witchcraft—many of which have their roots in the pre-Christian past but still survive to the present day. To illuminate the evolution of major themes and motifs and set Russian myths in the context of mythology the world over, Elizabeth Warner draws upon a rich variety of sources, including anecdotal narrative forms and religious legends, epic songs, funeral laments and folk religion, and, of course, the folktales where the sacred gives way to pure imagination in the depiction of mythic themes and characters.

Encyclopedia of Russian and Slavic Myth and Legend

Encyclopedia of Russian and Slavic Myth and Legend
Author: Mike Dixon-Kennedy
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Total Pages: 392
Release: 1998-12-08
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1576074870

This volume offers the first comprehensive guide in English to the myth and legend of the Russian Empire and other Slavic countries and peoples. There are few stories more stirring than those of ancient Russia. Russian and other Slavic beliefs weave a rich tapestry in which real-world elements coexist with those from fantasy, such as dragons, monsters, and shape-changing wolves. Though Russia adopted Christianity as the state religion in A.D. 988, paganism remained popular through the end of the 19th century and survives in isolated pockets even today. In Russian myth and legend, Christian themes are interwoven with pagan ideas: dragons fight priests, saints encounter nymphs, and witches enter the kingdom of heaven. Encyclopedia of Russian and Slavic Myth and Legend includes extensive historical, geographical, and biographical background to deepen the reader's understanding of the myth and legend. Numerous illustrations are included in this fascinating volume, which will be of great interest to students, scholars, and everyone who wishes to explore the cultural heritage of ancient Russia.

Russian Folk Belief

Russian Folk Belief
Author: Linda J. Ivanits
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 277
Release: 2015-03-04
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1317460391

A scholarly work that aims to be both broad enough in scope to satisfy upper-division undergraduates studying folk belief and narrative and detailed enough to meet the needs of graduate students in the field. Each of the seven chapters in Part 1 focuses on one aspect of Russian folk belief, such as the pagan background, Christian personages, devils and various other logical categories of the topic. The author's thesis - that Russian folk belief represents a "double faith" whereby Slavic pagan beliefs are overlaid with popular Christianity - is persuasive and has analogies in other cultures. The folk narratives constituting Part 2 are translated and include a wide range of tales, from the briefly anecdotal to the more fully developed narrative, covering the various folk personages and motifs explored in Part 1.

Russian Folk Belief

Russian Folk Belief
Author: Linda J. Ivanits
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 272
Release: 2015-03-04
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1317460405

A scholarly work that aims to be both broad enough in scope to satisfy upper-division undergraduates studying folk belief and narrative and detailed enough to meet the needs of graduate students in the field. Each of the seven chapters in Part 1 focuses on one aspect of Russian folk belief, such as the pagan background, Christian personages, devils and various other logical categories of the topic. The author's thesis - that Russian folk belief represents a "double faith" whereby Slavic pagan beliefs are overlaid with popular Christianity - is persuasive and has analogies in other cultures. The folk narratives constituting Part 2 are translated and include a wide range of tales, from the briefly anecdotal to the more fully developed narrative, covering the various folk personages and motifs explored in Part 1.

The Complete Russian Folktale: v. 1: An Introduction to the Russian Folktale

The Complete Russian Folktale: v. 1: An Introduction to the Russian Folktale
Author: Jack V. Haney
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 123
Release: 2015-02-12
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1317457811

This introduction to the Russian folktale considers the origin, structure and language of folktales; tale-tellers and their audiences; the relationship of folktales to Russian ritual life; and the folktale types which are translated in subsequent volumes of The Complete Russian Folktale.

Slavic Mythology

Slavic Mythology
Author: Jan Hanuš Máchal
Publisher: DigiCat
Total Pages: 124
Release: 2022-11-13
Genre: Social Science
ISBN:

Slavic Mythology is a comprehensive study on myths, folklore and legends of the Slavic people settled in Eastern and Central Europe with a meticulous approach to the spirits and ghouls found in Slavic mythical beliefs. Thorough and comprehensive research covers various aspects of the theme, from stories of spirits of the dead, through folk tales of gods and beings of the households, forests and water, to legends of Slavic gods. The study comprehends the mythology of Slavic people of the Elbe river and the Russians, with a glance at the Baltic mythology.

An Anthology of Russian Folk Epics

An Anthology of Russian Folk Epics
Author: James Bailey
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 464
Release: 2015-05-20
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 131747693X

An extensive introduction provides basic information about Russian epics, their historical background, their poetics, the history of their collection, their performance context, and their main interpretations. In addition, their is a short introduction to each song, explaining its plot, allusions, and interpretations. A glossary of common terms and a selected bibliography of studies about the Russian epic in English and Russian are also included in the volume.

Encyclopedia of Russian and Slavic Myth and Legend

Encyclopedia of Russian and Slavic Myth and Legend
Author: Mike Dixon-Kennedy
Publisher: ABC-CLIO
Total Pages: 400
Release: 1998-12-08
Genre: History
ISBN:

Summary: Covers the myths and legends of the Russian Empire at its greatest extent as well as other Slavic people and countries. Includes historical, geographical, and biographical background information