MOTIVUL FURTULUI AŞTRILOR ÎN BASMELE ROMÂNEŞTI ŞI CELE ALE POPOARELOR VECINE
The motif of astral theft in the Romanian fairy-tales and those of the neighbouring people

Summary/Abstract: The article concerns the motif of stealing the Sun and the Moon by demonic creatures, which is present in Romanian, Eastern Slavic, and Hungarian folktales. The motif belongs to Tale Type AT 328A*. It contains some mythological motifs, and is present only in Romanian, Hungarian and Eastern Slavic tradition. The tale is a typical heroic folktale. The hero of these tales shows a great strength and some magical skills and is capable of fighting other strong men and some demonic creatures, which are also present in the folk beliefs (zmei in Romanian folklore). Another mythical aspect of the hero is his relation with blacksmith, ashes and iron. The blacksmith is usually his helper. In some tales of this type the hero is initially lazy and he lies among the ashes from the stove. This motif can be connected with veneration of ancestors and shamanic traditions.

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