Stromy: Vplyv slovanskej mytológie v ľudovom katolicizme
Trees: The Influence of Slavic Mythology on Slavic Catholicism

Summary/Abstract: In this paper, I study the symbol of the tree in folk narratives from the 20th-21st century to illustrate the influence of Slavic folk culture on Catholicism. To this end, I collected and analyzed folk narratives and traditions from several Slavic countries. In my deeper analysis, I focus on three trees often present in folk Catholicism, in which the female principle can be found: the linden, willow, and birch tree. According to narratives, I show that trees in folklore are ambivalent – presented with both positive and negative connotations. The feminine principle and the physiology of these trees predetermine their function in folk narratives and thus in Catholic belief. Trees with the feminine principle can be often found in tales and traditions centered around women, girls, and the Holy Mary. The physiological aspects of the tree – growth, shape, and color – had a strong influence on the creation of its symbolism in folk tales. The detailed comparative analysis of the studied literature shows that archaic folklore permeated Catholic religiosity in the Slavic area which is preserved to the present day.

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