Fairy tale plays a significant role in human life. This is what he hears one of the first after birth; she also accompanies him in the next stages of growing up. Fairy tales are loved not only by children, but also by adults. Their deep philosophical meaning makes it possible to take a different look at ordinary things; understand the principles of good and evil; learn to believe in a miracle and not forget about your own role.
Moral values are transmitted through characteristic characters, each of which has its own folk prototype.
Hare
Runaway bunny, gray bunny, oblique - as soon as they don’t call the animal in Russian folk tales. He is endowed with a cowardly, but at the same time friendly character. Fairy hare has cunning, dexterity and resourcefulness. A striking example is the fairy tale "The Fox and the Hare", where a small animal turns from a cowardly animal into a savvy hero who managed to deceive even an evil wolf and help his friends.
In nature, hares do have cautious habits that help them avoid the teeth of predators. Our ancestors also knew this feature of the animal.
Fox
Cunning, dodgy, smart, insidious, vindictive ... What features are not given to the fox in fairy tales. She deceives animals, looks for profit everywhere, is not afraid of people. The fox is friends with the strong, but only for his own benefit.
Cunning is embodied in the image of an animal. A dishonest, thieving, but at the same time smart person can be considered a folk prototype. The fox is feared, despised and respected at the same time. This is evidenced by the appeal to her in fairy tales as Lisa Patrikeevna, Chanterelle-Sister.
Wolf
The wolf in Russian fairy tales embodies anger. He preys on weaker animals; is not always smart. The shortsightedness of the wolf is used by other characters. In the fairy tale "The Chanterelle Sister and the Gray Wolf" a formidable predator was deceived by a red cheat, and in "The Three Little Pigs"
harmless pigs could wrap him around their fingers.
Our ancestors also associated the wolf with death. Indeed, in nature, this predator is considered a kind of forest orderly who hunts weak and sick animals. And the human prototype of the wolf can be considered the one who is too evil, greedy and vindictive.
Bear
Fairy bear is the master of the forest. He is strong, rude, clumsy and not exactly smart. It is believed that in the form of a bear, ordinary people wanted to show the landowners. Therefore, in fairy tales, this animal is often deceived by weaker animals, with which ordinary people are associated.
At the same time, in fairy tales you can also find another image of a bear: kind, calm, honest and freedom-loving. Suffice it to recall how the bear helped the lost girl Masha in the work of the same name.
Man (peasant)
The image of a man in fairy tales has a different meaning. In some works, he acts as the personification of the working people: he is somewhat rustic, he works all the time, does not put up with the injustice of rich owners. On the other hand, such traits as wisdom and cunning were embodied in the peasant. He is hardworking, not rich, but much more cunning and resourceful than the landlords and generals.
Baba Yaga
A hut on chicken legs, a black cat, a mortar and a broom are the main attributes of any fabulous Baba Yaga. This old woman is both evil (what her threats are worth) and kind (helps in difficult situations). She is wise, strong-willed, purposeful. It can be an adviser, or it can be a threat.
The image of Baba Yaga in Russian fairy tales is one of the most controversial and controversial. She personifies matriarchal traits. Our ancestors Baba Yaga was closely associated with the clan.
Koschei the Deathless
In fairy tales, his image can be seen in three guises: a sorcerer with special power, the king of the underworld and an old man who can be the husband of the Serpent or a friend of Baba Yaga. It has unusual abilities: it turns heroes into animals and birds. It can be defeated only thanks to certain rituals (with the help of a magic horse, club, burning). Despite his name, he is not immortal at all, because his death is on the tip of a needle (or, alternatively, in an egg), which are securely hidden.
The folk prototype of Koshchei is an imperious, evil, cunning and vile person, endowed with magical properties.
Ivan the Fool
Contrary to the ambiguous name, Ivan is not at all the personification of stupidity, even if he is called a fool in the work. In fairy tales, he is the youngest of the sons, who often does nothing, is lazy, but achieves a lot in life thanks to cunning and luck. This is a positive hero, embodying the features of what people would like to have. A kind of dream, where without much effort, by chance, everything succeeds: to become rich, and to marry a princess. Our ancestors in the image of Ivan the Fool wanted to show a lucky person.
Ivan Tsarevich
Unlike Ivan the Fool, who gets everything simply and effortlessly, Ivan Tsarevich must overcome many obstacles to achieve his goal, showing his strength, intelligence and skills. He becomes a prince not only by the fact of birth, which he does not even know about, but by merit. Like Ivan the Fool, he is most often the youngest of the brothers, only of royal blood.
kikimora
Kikimora in fairy tales can act as an ugly creature of indeterminate age (this is a girl, an old woman, and even a man). It is the personification of evil spirits. She tries to hide from people, but lives near residential buildings or in a swamp. Her job is to frighten and frighten.
The mythological meaning of kikimora among our ancestors is a person who passed away in an unrighteous way. Therefore, his soul does not find rest.
Water
The merman is the master of water. This is a half old man half a fish. Lives near mills, in a whirlpool and a polynya. Scares people and drags them to the bottom; breaks mills and drowns cattle. But the merman can be deceived, defeated by cunning.
Myths, fairy tales and legends have surrounded mankind since its inception. Our ancestors, who lived during the time of paganism, believed in a huge number of magical creatures, which became the central characters of various stories. For each nation, they were special, having their own unique style and heroes, but one of the most popular is, of course, Slavic myths.
It is interesting that after many centuries, some have come down to us. But people of the twenty-first century are very interested in looking at the world through the eyes of a resident of ancient times. In addition, many of the characters of ancient Slavic legends formed the basis of good Russian fairy tales, which are known to almost everyone since childhood.
It is about them that will be discussed in this article. Top 10 most popular mythical creatures, enjoy reading!
Our ancestors considered them demonic beings, lower spirits.
The legends that have come down to us depicted ghouls as very harmful creatures, sucking blood from all living things. They were equated with the dead that rose from their graves at night to kill the population or livestock.
Legends tell that those people whose death was “unnatural” became ghouls, that is, suicides, drunken people or those who were forcibly killed. Of course, this list also included sorcerers, who, along with those listed earlier, were not accepted by the earth. That is why they were all doomed to endless wanderings. With all this, it was forbidden to bury such people in the territory of the cemetery, and everyone tried to bypass their resting places.
In order for the deceased to not be able to turn into a dark creature and start wandering around the city or village, his knee tendons were cut. There was another "method" - a pot of embers on the grave or just scattered embers on the ground. However, the most common was the driving into the graves of long aspen stakes, they were considered the best means of dealing with ghouls.
Mythical creature - half-woman, half-fish. These creatures live in different bodies of water, it can be lakes, rivers, seas, and, of course, ponds and swamps. They choose reservoirs near dense forests or places where it is difficult for people to reach.
Outwardly, they look like a beautiful girl with green (sometimes blue) long hair, very pale (white) skin, and they also have long arms, but this is not always noticeable. Mermaids are distinguished from people only by a fish tail instead of legs.
It is almost impossible to meet these beauties during the day, their element is night. At night, for the sake of their fun, they can frighten the overstayed fishermen, lure vacationers away into the forest, they also love beautiful things, sometimes they steal them from vacationers, and sometimes they can ask politely. And then you must definitely give something to the mermaid so that she doesn’t drag it to the bottom with her.
Although, in essence, mermaids are not evil creatures - they do not attack people, but they are very lonely, therefore they often invite men for communication. And since people cannot breathe underwater, such meetings often end sadly for them. But mermaids take care of children, and even lost kids are helped to find their way home and escape from wild animals.
These fish girls obey the water man (it is believed that they are his daughters), and all the fish and other inhabitants of the reservoir are subject to them. They move quickly in the water, they have a beautiful voice that literally fascinates everyone, and they also have hypnosis and are able to deprive a person of will. And if someone falls under the hypnosis of a mermaid, then he has no chance to escape and escape. They say that iron helps, and if you prick one mermaid with an iron needle, then all her other girlfriends will get scared and run away.
An evil female spirit, this is what the kikimora is considered by the people. Outwardly, she is represented as a small, crooked, sideways, ugly old woman, although she may be a middle-aged woman, but usually unkempt, sloppy. She is dressed in old dirty and torn clothes. She can live in a barn, in a barn, in a bathhouse, but most often they prefer to settle in a human dwelling. In the house, they choose a secluded place for themselves - away from the eyes.
During the day, kikimoras are almost invisible, their favorite time is night! That's when they can frolic at will - knocking, creaking, sighs and groans will be heard throughout the house, clothes, dishes, vegetables can fall. She can torture animals, but if they immediately rebuff her, then she will get rid of them once and for all. And if this wicked one wins, then the torment of animals will be endless. Her favorite pastime is spinning, but everything turns out clumsily: either she confuses all the yarn, then she breaks it.
How can a kikimora appear in a house? Either she herself chooses a house, or someone can intentionally send her to a home. In the first case, it is useless to fight her - it's her choice. But if she was “thrown” into the house, one should try to find a kikimora doll and burn it.
In fact, she doesn’t cause severe trouble to a person, and when she gets very naughty, then she can be reined in, but if she doesn’t love someone very much, then don’t expect good - a person can survive from home. And then only prayers and conspiracies will help.
There are many rumors about the origin of this fabulous monster. After all, looking at him, it is impossible to determine from whom he came. The basilisk has the head of a rooster, the body of a toad, the tail of a snake, and the wings of a bat. His head is crowned with a crest, and it is located not like a rooster, but like a diadem. Perhaps that is why he was called the king of beasts. According to legend, he comes into the world from an egg that was laid by a rooster, and a toad hatched.
The Basilisk killed all his enemies with one glance or a fiery breath, from which the grass in the area burned down and the rocks could crack. Everything is dangerous with him: a glance, a breath, a touch, and the stench that comes from him.
He lives in caves, where he has no problems with food, because he only eats stones for food. He can leave his house only at nightfall, and all because the cock crow is deadly for him. There is another way to deal with the basilisk - show him his reflection in the mirror.
This mythical monster is considered an evil robber who lived in the forest and lived in his nest, which he built on nine (and according to some sources on twelve) oaks. He laid the "direct" road to Kyiv for thirty years. And no one could move along it, neither a man, nor an animal, nor even a bird.
He was depicted as a man with crooked legs, or a humanoid monster with wings. The nightingale-robber possessed supernatural powers. He could demolish and kill everything in his path with his whistle, evoke mortal horror with a terrible hiss, and if he roars like an animal, he could turn all living things into stone.
His dwelling was well protected, and his large family lived in it. Surprisingly, all the children were on the same face. It turns out that the Rogue specially married them only among themselves - so that the genus would not be bred.
Only Ilya Muromets was able to resist him, he saved his people from the terrible monster and its devastating raids.
On the site we talked a lot about how to achieve harmony in the house and family. Surely, everyone wants to have kindness, cleanliness, peace, comfort and love in his house. Since ancient times in Rus' there is such an assistant that should be in every home - Brownie. He is the real master and patron of the house, protects it from all sorts of misfortunes - fires, thieves and uninvited guests ... He also watches over the household so that they do not get sick, no one jinxes them or offends them.
He does not like lazy people, angry and greedy, in families where they often swear and the brownie can play pranks at night - coughs, knocks, grumbles, beats dishes, and can leave this house. And then for sure - expect trouble. After all, how will a house be left without an owner? When people move, be sure to call your brownie with you (make a special ceremony).
He can be everywhere and at once, which is why he has always been considered a master who manages to keep track of his household.
In the house, he chooses a secluded corner for himself, he looks like a kind little old man who always grumbles, fusses, but is still kind!
This is an evil lower spirit that lives in the thicket of the forest and is often found in Russian fairy tales. He is considered hostile and dangerous to humans, and that's all because he lives far from people. He does not have one guise, the goblin can appear in completely different guises. It can turn into a tree, a bear, a poisonous mushroom, often it appears as a gray-haired old man with a beard, gray skin, he has no eyebrows and eyelashes, his hair is always tangled, with leaves sticking out of them. In general, he resembles an ordinary village peasant, only the caftan is buttoned on the right side, and the shoes are shod on the contrary. It has an incredible ability to change its growth: it can be taller than trees, or it can become smaller than a blade of grass.
You should not enter the forest without his permission, because he is in charge there. He constantly inspects his possessions, so he can be found in any corner of the forest. He will not harm a person if he does not mischief in his possessions: break trees, leave garbage, offend animals. He is a kind and caring owner of the forest, but if you make him angry, then do not expect mercy - he can kill him, or he will find a wild beast, or lead him into a swamp, or even come up with something even worse. But he loves the leshak and has fun: either he will spin the traveler, knock him off the path, or scare him with wild laughter ...
Leshy do not age and do not die, that is, they are immortal. And it's impossible to kill him. To protect yourself from the goblin you need to change clothes on the left side, and if several people meet him, then it is better for them to change clothes.
One of the most famous characters in Russian fairy tales and legends. The appearance of this character is very colorful. The monster combines the features of the beast, man, bird and reptile. Its body is covered with scales (black or red), on its paws there are large claws, as if made of metal, huge wings behind its back and all this is crowned with three snake heads. There are snakes with six, nine, etc. heads. This usually indicates that Gorynych had already been in battles, and his heads were cut off, instead of which several new ones immediately grew.
They live in huge caves, in the mountains, they also met near the water, where they came to drink and eat fish. They prefer to live alone, away from people, if he does not have enough food for himself and for the cubs, he may attack people, livestock, or may demand that girls, children or women be sacrificed to him.
The Serpent-Gorynych can fly, spew fire, its scales are so strong that it cannot be pierced in any way, and if “serpentine” blood suddenly spills, then all the land where it hit will be burned.
This creature combines all the elements at the same time: earth, water, fire and air, which means that it is endowed with unique strength and power. He is practically invulnerable, the only defenseless place is on the neck near the head, and this place can be pierced with any weapon. Snake cubs are almost completely defenseless, but with age their scales become impenetrable. And yet, judging by the Russian legends, it is possible to kill the Serpent only with the help of the Seven-Tailed Whip.
Surely, it is very difficult to find a person who would not know about this character, everyone knows her from early childhood from the very first fairy tales. Everyone knows that she lives in a dense forest in a hut, her possessions are surrounded by a fence of human bones, human and horse skulls stick out on the poles, and the rest of the bones went into action, made from some bolts, from others a castle, etc.
Baba Yaga has many “talents”, she conjures well, rushes through the air in a mortar, and her hut is not just on chicken legs, but also turns at her command.
But her appearance is not at all attractive. Usually this is a large hunchbacked old woman, with a huge hooked nose (in some cases, her nose is supported by a special pole), with long uncombed hair and one of her legs is bone, and she has a broomstick in her hand. Serpents, frogs, crows and black cats serve her, and swan geese are her magical helpers.
On the one hand, Baba Yaga is considered the mistress of forest animals and birds, on the other hand, she guards the entrance to another world - the kingdom of the dead.
In general, Yaga is considered a negative character, she loves to lure small children or youths into the forest to fry and eat. But sometimes she also does good deeds, especially for those who have passed the tests she proposed.
One of the most powerful characters in the dark realm. He is usually described as a tall, bony old man with a gray or bald head, sometimes he may have a skull instead of a head. He possesses supernatural strength, perfectly wields a sword, a very powerful sorcerer, can turn people into stones with one glance, chain them underground. Kashchei can turn into a black crow or a flying snake. Moving quickly and easily around the world, he steals everything he likes. And most often he chooses young beautiful girls, wants to marry them, but not one, even for all the treasures of the world, agreed to such a marriage.
There are several versions of the formation of his name. According to one of them, the name can be translated as "thin, dry, skinny", and according to the other, it is formed from the word "blasphemer" - a sorcerer.
The main feature of this evil sorcerer is his death. Although they call him immortal, but still it is. And Kashchei very reverently keeps the secret of her whereabouts. All his life force is concentrated on the tip of the needle, which is hidden in the egg, and it is in the duck, and the duck is not free ... Therefore, finding death for Kashcheev is not easy, but if they found it, it will immediately affect his well-being - he immediately becomes ill , forces leave him, etc.
And he is also considered the best friend of Baba Yaga, who guards the road to him.
Fairy tales are a storehouse of folk wisdom! From seemingly simple stories, you can learn a lot of useful information: how to marry a prince, how to deceive Koshchei, or how to turn from a frog into a princess.
Now fairy tales are read only to children, but it is never too late to learn female wisdom! So, what can the heroines of fairy tales teach adult girls and women?
Princess Frog
What does it teach: the ability to behave in any situation and the ability to make a king out of an ordinary man.
The Frog Princess was not shy about her appearance, as she perceived herself exactly as she was. She understood that beauty is not the main thing, but the main thing is the ability to present oneself correctly. It was this skill that she showed at the reception of the king, when, with a wave of her hand, a lake and swans appeared from her sleeves. And thanks to her ingenuity and wisdom, she was able to make a successful man out of the loser Ivan Tsarevich.
Princess on the Pea
What does it teach: healthy sleep is important for a woman, and no peas should prevent this!
In a fairy tale, the Prince finds his Princess. It would seem that everything will end well, but it was not there! They decided to check the girl for the authenticity of her blue blood and put a pea under her many mattresses and featherbeds. In the life of a modern woman, there are many "peas" that interfere with sleep - work, children, problems, household chores, travel, etc. But you should always remember that healthy sleep not only gives you the opportunity to relax, but also helps to preserve beauty.
Vasilisa the Beautiful
What does it teach: follow your intuition.
One of the strengths of a woman is her intuition. But sometimes women simply do not trust her, and want to do everything logically, like men. Vasilisa received a doll from her mother. It is she who helps her in the future to overcome difficulties. The doll gave advice and helped in everything. This doll can just be compared with intuition.
Nastenka from Morozko
What does it teach: be a woman to the bone! To put yourself in such a way that a man feels his need, so that he wants to protect and take care of you.
The humble, patient, modest girl Nastenka finds her happiness thanks to her kind, sympathetic character. The man next to her understands that such a fragile girl needs to be taken care of and does it without any questions.
Cinderella
What does it teach: meet by clothes, see off by mind.
Not for nothing did Marilyn Monroe say: “Give a woman a pair of good shoes and she will conquer the whole world!”. The heroine Cinderella teaches neatness, beauty and harmonious appearance. What can I say - men like beautiful, well-groomed and stylishly dressed girls. Of course, the Prince fell in love with Cinderella not for her appearance, but for her kindness, talent and sincerity, but at first she made an effect with her dress, shoes and hairstyle!
Baba Yaga
What does it teach: hospitality and economy.
Despite the fact that Baba Yaga is a negative character, you can also learn a lot from her. Remember how this grandmother met good fellows? And she drowned the bathhouse, and treated her to tea, and put her to bed. And only after that she asked about the affairs.
Alyonushka from the fairy tale "Geese-Swans"
What does it teach: do good and it will surely come back to you.
When a brother was stolen from Alyonushka, Alyonushka went in search of him. On the way, she met various characters who asked for help, but the girl did not help. When she herself needed help, those who met on her path also refused to help her. And only when Alyonushka herself began to help others, she also came to the rescue.
The Snow Queen
What does it teach: never hold a grudge in yourself, otherwise your heart will become cold as an ice floe.
Apparently, the Snow Queen had a hard time in her life, since she imprisoned herself in an ice castle and stole the innocent boy Kai. The callous, evil and cold heart of the Snow Queen does not accept the joy of those around her, neither love nor mercy. And all from resentment against the whole world, which eventually ruined her.
Live in reality, but do not forget about good fairy tales - take from them all the brightest and best that is lacking in the modern world. And remember that all fairy tales end with a happy ending! Good luck and don't forget to press the buttons and
Let's get to know the inhabitants of popular children's books better?
As children, our favorite fictional characters came to life in our imaginations and often became our good friends. Their realism is explained not only by the amazing abilities of fantasy, but also by the skill of the writers of fairy tales, who created heroes based on the appearance and character of real people.
1. Robin Hood
Prototype: Robin Loxley.
There are several versions of the origin of ballads about a noble robber who robs the rich to help the poor. According to one of the most reliable theories, Robin was born in the 12th century in the village of Loxley and was a yeoman (free peasant). Even in his youth, he put together a rather big gang, with which he operated in the forest of Sherwood. True, the intentions of the robbers differed from fairy tales, the cruel thugs simply looted, and profited from absolutely everyone. Of course, they didn't give money to anyone.
2. Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh
Prototype: Christopher Robin Milne and Winnipeg bear.
Alan Milne, one might say, copied the main character of the stories about the adventures of Winnie the Pooh from his son. Christopher grew up a shy and quiet child, and his only friend was a toy named Edward - a bear cub of the Farnell Teddy series. The author did not even begin to change the name of the boy, only his companion was named differently, in honor of the Winnipeg bear from the London Zoo. She was so tamed to human attention that local children, including Christopher, often fed the animal with condensed milk and stroked it.
3. Alice in Wonderland
Prototype: Alice Liddell.
Lewis Carroll in his youth was friendly with the Liddell family, who raised several daughters. The writer spent a lot of free time with children, telling them exciting stories about a little girl who once met a talking rabbit on a walk. When a whole series of adventures accumulated, Carroll wrote down the tales, adding interesting details and new characters to them. He gave the book to Alice Liddell for Christmas, which, as an adult, she sold for fabulous money to pay bills.
4. Snow White
Prototype: Maria Sophia Katarina Margareta von Erthal.
This story began in 1725, when Judge Philipp von Ertal and his wife, Baroness Maria Eva von Bettendorf, had a charming daughter, by the way, the fifth in the family. 13 years later, the wife of a father with many children died during the birth of the tenth child. The judge did not long for long, and a year later he married the same "inconsolable", but very prosperous widow, Claudia Helena Elisabeth von Reichenstein. A middle-aged lady by then standards (36 years old) was most angry with Maria. The girl grew older and prettier every day, and the beauty of the new father's wife noticeably faded. It is not known why Claudia Helena got angry at the fifth daughter of the judge, because many more children from his first marriage lived in the castle, but Mary constantly got it from her stepmother. Once the girl found out that her father's wife was plotting to kill her, and fled, settling in the hut of poor miners. The judge's daughter returned home only after the death of Claudia Helena, and lived there until her death in 1796. Naturally, she did not marry Prince Maria, and in general she did not have a chance to be legally married.
5. Carlson
Prototype: Hermann Goering.
The wild but cute ghost with a motor turns out to be not just a real man, but also one of the leaders of the Nazi Party, the Reich Marshal of the Greater German Reich and the Reich Minister of the Imperial Ministry of Aviation. Astrid Lindgren, the author of the fairy tale about Carlson, was personally acquainted with the ace pilot from her youth, and was very sympathetic to him, as well as to the far-right party in Sweden. Therefore, Hermann Goering became the prototype of the protagonist in the writer's works, even the Reichsmarschall's signature phrases are mentioned in the books: "I am a man in the prime of life", "Little things are a matter of life." Yes, and outwardly Carlson is very reminiscent of Goering, not to mention a hint of his profession in the form of a propeller.
6. Shrek
Prototype: Maurice Tiye.
William Steig, an author of children's stories about a big green ogre with a good heart, created his character after being impressed by Maurice Tillet. This French wrestler was born in Russia, in the Urals. As a child, he was a charming little boy with delicate features, for which he was nicknamed Angel. But by the age of 17, Maurice was diagnosed with acromegaly, a disease that causes the growth and thickening of bones, especially the skull. The guy who dreamed of becoming a lawyer had to give up his aspirations because of the constant bullying and ridicule of his appearance. Then Maurice went into wrestling, and in the sports field he achieved amazing success. Tiye's contemporaries describe him as a strong, kind and pleasant giant with a great sense of humor. Typical Shrek, isn't it?
7. Duremar
Prototype: Jacques Boulemard.
The seller of leeches in the fairy tale "The Golden Key" in reality was a highly sought-after Moscow doctor of French origin by the name of Boulemard. He lived in 1895 and was popular among the Russian nobility. The fact is that the doctor practiced an exotic at that time method of treatment with the help of leeches, and he showed experiments with them directly on himself. To prevent mosquitoes from biting him while catching "medicines", Bulemard wore a long, tight hoodie. The little one, who hung around the strange doctor all the time, teased Jacques with Duremar, distorting his last name.
8. Pinocchio
Prototype: Pinocchio Sanchez.
If we are already talking about Pinocchio, it is worth mentioning the original of this tale, written by Carl Collodi. The leading character in the children's book, of course, was not cut out of logs, he was not even a child, he was just very small in stature. The real Pinocchio is a war hero who, after serving in the army, lost his leg and, oddly enough, his nose. Thanks to the efforts of the doctor Bestuldzhi, the man was able to start a relatively full life, the surgeon made prostheses for him to replace the lost parts of the body. It was after meeting Sanchez and his wooden nose that Collodi came up with the Pinocchio doll.
9. Baron Munchausen
Prototype: Hieronymus Carl Friedrich von Munchausen.
The most unscrupulous dreamer really existed, he was born in 1720 in Germany (the city of Bodenwerder, Lower Saxony). Cupid's arrow forced the nobleman to move to Russia, to the homeland of his beloved wife, where the baron joined the army as an officer. When fate nevertheless allowed Jerome Karl Friedrich to return home, during friendly gatherings, he began to tell his compatriots about the incredible and curious adventures that happened to him in Russia. The stories of Munchausen, thanks to his wild imagination, were constantly replenished with new amazing details and circumstances.
10 Peter Pan
Prototype: Michael Davis.
James Barry, the author of the tale of a boy who did not want to grow up and the Tinker Bell Fairy, was inspired by the son of his close friends, Sylvia and Arthur Davis. Little Michael was an inquisitive, mischievous and outgoing 4-year-old who was constantly making up stories. He was really afraid of growing old and periodically suffered from nightmares, which included a terrible sailor (Captain Hook) and evil pirates. Barry was so fond of the playful that he endowed his Peter Pan with the smallest traits of character and behavior of Michael.
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Russian folk tales with their amazing heroes familiar to all of us from an early age.
Russian folk tales are the most beloved and popular genre of Russian folklore and acquaint readers with the history and culture of their ancestors. Russian folk tales is a treasure trove of folk wisdom. In their entertaining, fascinating form, they contain a deep instructive meaning. Thanks to Russian folk tale, children discover the world around them, get acquainted with the concepts of honor and conscience, using the example of the relationship of fairy-tale characters, they learn goodness and justice.
Russian nationalFairy tales can be divided into three types: magical, about animals, and everyday, satirical. All of them came to us from those distant times, when all natural phenomena and things were given a magical, sacred explanation. Therefore, many mythological heroes, such as Vodyanoy, Kikimora Bolotnaya, Goblin, mermaids and brownies are associated with the elemental forces of nature and pagan beliefs.
Main hero in Russian folk fairy tale usually combined noble human qualities: such as courage, honesty, fearlessness, mercy and integrity. Ivan Tsarevich, the heroes, the peasant son Ivan the Fool, Emelya, they all went through trials and tribulations, and in the end Russian folkfairy tales evil forces were victorious. Often, the positive hero was accompanied by assistants, a gray wolf, symbolizing intelligence and cunning, or a horse, personifying devotion and loyalty.
Female images that meet in fairy tales also possessed kindness, a bright mind, wisdom and tenderness. Vasilisa the Wise, Elena the Beautiful, Marya the Tsarevna, the Snow Maiden were endowed not only with a very beautiful appearance, but also with a pure soul.
positive heroesRussian folk tales, as a rule, dark forces, mysterious and insidious characters opposed. Baba Yaga, Koschey the Immortal, the Serpent Gorynych, the Nightingale the Robber are the most popular fairy-tale villains who harmed people, knew how to conjure and expressed the people's idea of cruelty and greed.
Heroes of Russian folk tales often there were animals and birds that lived and acted like people. In each fairy tale with animals, human types are allegorically described, with their different characters and vices. These fairy-tale characters are numerous - a bear, a wolf, a hare, a goat, a rooster, a chicken, a cat, a pig, a crane and a heron, and, of course, a cunning fox who met in Russian fairy tales more often than anyone else.
Russian folk tales are so unique in their poetry and content, so vividly convey the spirit of the Russian people, that over time, interest in them does not decrease. Although in a more modern language, fairy tales continue to be told in families and filmed by cartoonists, making children and adults laugh and empathize with their heroes.
Ivan the Fool
Ivan the Fool, or Ivanushka the Fool - one of the main characters Russian folk tales. According to some versions, the name with the epithet fool is a name-amulet that prevents the evil eye. It embodies a special fabulous strategy that does not proceed from the standard postulates of practical reason, but is based on the search for one's own solutions, often contrary to common sense, but, ultimately, bringing success.
According to other versions, "fool" is his property status. Since he is the third son, he is not entitled to a share in the inheritance (remains in the cold). As a rule, his social status is low - a peasant son or the son of an old man with an old woman. In the family, he was often the third, youngest son. Not married.
With the help of magical means, and especially thanks to his "not mind", Ivan the Fool successfully passes all the tests and reaches the highest values: he defeats the enemy, marries the king's daughter, receives both wealth and fame ... Perhaps Ivan the Fool achieves all this thanks to that he embodies the first (according to J. Dumézil) magical-legal function, connected not so much with the deed as with the word, with priestly duties.
Ivan the Fool is the only one of the brothers who speaks in a fairy tale. Ivan the Fool makes and guesses riddles, that is, he does what a priest does in many traditions during a ritual dedicated to the main annual holiday.
Emelya
Emelya is a character in the Russian folk tale "By the Pike's Command". Emelya's family is not allowed to take on serious matters. He is extremely lazy: daughters-in-law have to beg him for a long time to fulfill any, even 
an easy job. The only thing that can spur him to action is the promise of gifts, for which he is greedy. This is the hidden, at first glance imperceptible irony, the name Emelyan, according to one version, in Latin means "hardworking". However, this seemingly unattractive character has qualities that make him a real hero: he is dexterous and lucky, he managed to catch a magic pike in an ice hole with his bare hands and get magical power from it (the pike becomes the “magic helper” of the village fool).
First, Emelya uses the acquired gift for domestic purposes - she makes buckets go for water, an ax - to chop wood, a club - to beat enemies. In addition, he moves on a self-propelled sleigh without a horse, and later manages the stove (because he does not want to leave his favorite couch). Riding on the stove is one of the brightest episodes of the fairy tale. It is interesting that, while driving his vehicles, Emelya ruthlessly crushes people (“Why did they climb under the sled?”). There is an opinion among folklorists that this detail indicates the royal nature of Emelya, who for the time being remains a “dark horse”, and subsequently reveals his heroic, extraordinary essence.
Baba Yaga
Baba Yaga is a character of Slavic mythology and folklore (especially a fairy tale) of the Slavic peoples, an old sorceress endowed with magical powers, a witch, a werewolf. By its properties, it is closest to a witch. Most often - a negative character.
Baba Yaga has several stable attributes: she knows how to conjure, fly in a mortar, lives in the forest, in a hut on chicken legs, surrounded by a fence of human bones with skulls. Baba Yaga has the ability to decrease in size - thus, she moves in a mortar. She lures good fellows and small children to her and roasts them in the oven. She pursues her victims in a mortar, driving her with a pestle and sweeping the trail with a broom (broom). There are three types of Baba Yaga: a donor (she gives the hero a fairy-tale horse or a magical item); kidnapper of children; Baba Yaga is a warrior, fighting with whom "not for life, but for death", the hero of the fairy tale moves to a different level of maturity.
Koschey (Kashchey)
Koschei is associated with the element of water: water gives Koschei supernatural strength. After drinking three buckets of water brought to him by Ivan Tsarevich, Koschey breaks 12 chains and is freed from Marya Morevna's dungeon.
Koshchei the Immortal was represented as a skeleton crowned with a sword, sitting on a skeleton horse, and they called Koshchei Kostya the Soulless. He, according to legend, sowed quarrels and anger, and his horse personified the death of all livestock. She spread a variety of diseases that killed domestic animals.
In tex Russian folk tales Koshchei's enemy is Baba Yaga, who tells the protagonist information on how to kill him, but sometimes they are at the same time. Koshchei has many enemies, but few of them survived the meeting with him.
The word "koshchei" in the XII century meant a slave, a captive.
Dragon
Serpent Gorynych - a multi-headed fire-breathing dragon, a representative of the evil inclination in Russian folk tales and epics.
The many-headed snake is its indispensable feature. In different fairy tales, the number of heads of the serpent varies: there are 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12 of them. Most often, the serpent appears as three-headed. In most cases, the snake has the ability to fly, but, as a rule, nothing is said about its wings. The body of a snake is not described in fairy tales, however, in popular prints depicting a snake, the favorite details are a long tail - an arrow and clawed paws. Another important feature of the snake is its fiery nature, however, fairy tales do not describe exactly how fire erupts. Serpent fire carries within itself and spews it out in the event of an attack. In addition to the fire element, the serpent is also associated with the water element, and these two elements do not exclude each other. In some fairy tales, he lives in the water, sleeps on a stone in the sea. At the same time, the snake is also the Serpent Gorynych and lives in the mountains. However, such a location does not prevent him from being a sea monster. In some tales, he lives in the mountains, but when the hero approaches him, he comes out of the water.
Firebird
The Firebird is a fabulous bird, a character in Russian fairy tales, usually the goal of finding a fairy tale hero. The feathers of the firebird have the ability to shine and with their brilliance amaze the human eye. The Firebird is a fiery bird, its feathers shine with silver and gold, its wings are like flames, and its eyes glow like crystal. It is about the size of a peacock.
The Firebird lives in the Garden of Eden of Iria, in a golden cage. At night, it flies out of it and illuminates the garden with itself as brightly as thousands of lit fires: heat is a bird as the personification of fire, light, sun. She feeds on golden apples, which give youth, beauty and immortality; when she sings, pearls fall from her beak.
The singing of the firebird heals the sick and restores sight to the blind. Leaving aside arbitrary mythological explanations, one can compare the firebird with medieval stories, very popular in both Russian and Western European literature, about the Phoenix bird reborn from the ashes. The prototype of the Firebird is a peacock. Rejuvenating apples, in turn, can be compared with the fruits of the pomegranate tree, a favorite delicacy of Phoenixes.
Every year, in the fall, the Firebird dies and is reborn in the spring. Sometimes you can find a dropped feather from the tail of the Firebird, brought into a dark room, it will replace the richest lighting. Over time, such a pen turns into gold. To catch the Firebird, they use a golden cage with apples inside as a trap. You can’t catch it with your bare hands, as you can get burned on its plumage.
Father Frost
Grandfather Frost (Dedko Morozko) is a character of Russian legends, in Slavic mythology - the personification of winter frosts, a blacksmith who binds water; in modern times - the main fairy-tale character at the New Year's holiday, a local version of the Christmas giver.
Frost (Morozko, Treskun, Studenets) is a Slavic mythological character, the lord of the winter cold. The ancient Slavs represented him as a short old man with a long gray beard. His breath is a strong chill. His tears are icicles. Hoarfrost - frozen words. Hair is snow clouds. Frost's wife is Winter itself. In winter, Frost runs through the fields, forests, streets and knocks with his staff. From this knock, crackling frosts fetter rivers, streams, puddles with ice.
Often depicted in a blue or red coat with a long white beard and a staff in his hand, in felt boots. He rides on three horses. Inseparable from his granddaughter, the Snow Maiden.
Initially, he had only blue (mostly) and white fur coats in his wardrobe, but in the middle of the 20th century he was dressed in a red fur coat. The change in the color of the costume played two roles: on the one hand, the red color was the national color of the USSR, on the other hand, the red color echoed the color of Santa Claus's coat, which was popular in Europe.
Snow Maiden
The Snow Maiden is a New Year's character of Russian legends, the granddaughter of Father Frost. However, among the Slavs, the Snow Maiden was considered the daughter of Frost and Spring.
The image of the Snow Maiden is unique for Russian culture. In the New Year and Christmas mythology of other peoples of the world there are no female characters. In Russian folklore, she appears as a character in a folk tale about a girl made of snow who came to life.
