Ornithomorphic symbolism in the Ossetian Nart Kadags

Abstract

Universal cultural codes come from the most ancient archetypal ideas of a person and at the same time national specifics. The biomorphic code of culture in folklore texts is interesting for us. It is advisable to consider ornithomorphic symbolism, since the main artistic images are associated with the nature surrounding the creator and performer of the epic, and these images are the part of ethnic ideas about the world order. The relevance of the chosen topic is justified by the lack of comprehensive research on the problem of representing the biomorphic code of culture in Ossetian folklore.

The purpose of the scientific work is to identify ornithomorphic symbolism and mythological representations associated with images of birds in Ossetian folklore based on the material of Nart Kadags. Methodological approaches are determined by the purpose and task of the research and are complex in nature. The work uses methods of scientific description with methods of observation, system analysis, as well as comparative and structural-semantic methods, which are widely used for the typological specifics of national culture.

In Osetian epic folklore, the bird has mediator functions, being an intermediary between the world of celestials and the world of Narts. The mythological image of a bird expands its semantics through plots, where the bird acts as an assistant to man, participating in fateful events. In addition, the bird in Nartiade plays with the transformation motif: both celestials and heroes-sleds turn into birds. The bipolar character of ornithomorphic folk images is formed due to their archaism, as well as the associative-figurative thinking of their creators. Along with the images of animals, ornithomorphic symbolism takes part in creating of idealized picture of the world. So, in the Ossetian epic, images of an eagle and other predatory birds, as well as a swallow, are vividly presented. The raven, owl, pigeon, wagtail and poultries are less common in the Kadags.

The study is promising for the further investigation of the biomorphic code not only in the epic, but also in other genres of Ossetian folklore, as well as in national culture in general.

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