Berries in the Slavic Oral and Written Tradition of Dream Interpretation

A parallel examination of berries in the oral and written traditions of dream interpretation allows us to compare their symbolism in both corpuses of texts and to identify the interaction and mutual influence between them, as well as to trace the process of filiation of dream interpretations in drea...

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Main Author: Aleksandr Gura
Format: Article
Language:Russian
Published: Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Slavic Studies 2023-12-01
Series:Славянский мир в третьем тысячелетии
Subjects:
Online Access:https://slavicworld.ru/index.php/jsw/article/view/405/426
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author Aleksandr Gura
author_facet Aleksandr Gura
author_sort Aleksandr Gura
collection DOAJ
description A parallel examination of berries in the oral and written traditions of dream interpretation allows us to compare their symbolism in both corpuses of texts and to identify the interaction and mutual influence between them, as well as to trace the process of filiation of dream interpretations in dream books. Berries are included in two extensive groups of oral folk interpretations, one of which foreshadows tears, the other – sores on the skin. For the written tradition, both of these models of dream interpretation are not typical. Occasionally, berries and cherries are found as a symbol of tears in dream books, in which one can see the influence of oral tradition. In one rare case, both traditions are brought together by the motif of hope in the symbolism of cherries. The interpretation of berries in the Slavic literary tradition goes back mainly to the ancient dream book of Artemidorus. With another source – so called Akhmet's dream book – some features of the symbolism of plums in European and Arabic dream books are related by origin. The symbolism of cherries and plums, which characterizes time, is interesting. One can observe how the "perishable" sign, which caused the symbolism of transience in cherries, develops new meanings associated with time – it symbolizes impermanence and aging. In plums, the symbolism of illness and fear as an obstacle generates a motive of slowing down and stretching time, and the symbolic meanings of boredom and longing. A distinctive feature of plums in the oral tradition is the metaphorical symbolism of tears, teals and bruises. Otherwise, in the folk interpretations of plums, especially among the South Slavs, one can see a strong influence of the written tradition.
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spelling doaj.art-1f961363986a49f3960ab9461cfea27a2024-03-02T09:42:51ZrusRussian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Slavic StudiesСлавянский мир в третьем тысячелетии2412-64462023-12-01183-4125154https://doi.org/10.31168/2412-6446.2023.18.3-4.09Berries in the Slavic Oral and Written Tradition of Dream Interpretation Aleksandr Gura 0Institute of Slavic Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences A parallel examination of berries in the oral and written traditions of dream interpretation allows us to compare their symbolism in both corpuses of texts and to identify the interaction and mutual influence between them, as well as to trace the process of filiation of dream interpretations in dream books. Berries are included in two extensive groups of oral folk interpretations, one of which foreshadows tears, the other – sores on the skin. For the written tradition, both of these models of dream interpretation are not typical. Occasionally, berries and cherries are found as a symbol of tears in dream books, in which one can see the influence of oral tradition. In one rare case, both traditions are brought together by the motif of hope in the symbolism of cherries. The interpretation of berries in the Slavic literary tradition goes back mainly to the ancient dream book of Artemidorus. With another source – so called Akhmet's dream book – some features of the symbolism of plums in European and Arabic dream books are related by origin. The symbolism of cherries and plums, which characterizes time, is interesting. One can observe how the "perishable" sign, which caused the symbolism of transience in cherries, develops new meanings associated with time – it symbolizes impermanence and aging. In plums, the symbolism of illness and fear as an obstacle generates a motive of slowing down and stretching time, and the symbolic meanings of boredom and longing. A distinctive feature of plums in the oral tradition is the metaphorical symbolism of tears, teals and bruises. Otherwise, in the folk interpretations of plums, especially among the South Slavs, one can see a strong influence of the written tradition.https://slavicworld.ru/index.php/jsw/article/view/405/426symbolism of dreamssymbolism of plantsberriesslavic folkloredream books
spellingShingle Aleksandr Gura
Berries in the Slavic Oral and Written Tradition of Dream Interpretation
Славянский мир в третьем тысячелетии
symbolism of dreams
symbolism of plants
berries
slavic folklore
dream books
title Berries in the Slavic Oral and Written Tradition of Dream Interpretation
title_full Berries in the Slavic Oral and Written Tradition of Dream Interpretation
title_fullStr Berries in the Slavic Oral and Written Tradition of Dream Interpretation
title_full_unstemmed Berries in the Slavic Oral and Written Tradition of Dream Interpretation
title_short Berries in the Slavic Oral and Written Tradition of Dream Interpretation
title_sort berries in the slavic oral and written tradition of dream interpretation
topic symbolism of dreams
symbolism of plants
berries
slavic folklore
dream books
url https://slavicworld.ru/index.php/jsw/article/view/405/426
work_keys_str_mv AT aleksandrgura berriesintheslavicoralandwrittentraditionofdreaminterpretation