The attributes of Baba Yaga - stupa are considered from a unified point of view; broom; threats to burn alive; chase, accompanied by a roar, which can be heard from a distance, with one ear to the ground; "Gnawing" the forest; water obstacle. A logical connection between these attributes and the hypothesis of the Great Flood is proposed.
The topic of Baba Yaga was considered as a scientific problem. For example, in the work of A. Ya. Proppa [1].
However, in my opinion, this work does not establish any historical roots, so the title of the book does not correspond to its content.
However, she performed preliminary rough work in terms of the classification of certain plot details, which can be used in a real search for historical roots.
In general, the story of Baba Yaga has several plot options.
We can talk about a young or young male character who, for some reason, comes to her house. She is clearly not happy about this and is afraid of something. Can try to send him out or pay off from him. Since this does not work out, he begins to contemplate his direct murder, and always by means of fire - he threatens to fry him so that (this is the narrator's explanation) to eat him (why else?).
However, her plan fails, and vice versa, the alien himself sends her to the furnace, where she dies, although, probably, she is not eaten.
In the second version of the plot, the visitor is also a rather young, but already female character. The further plot is repeated, but with such a change. The guest manages to escape from her (why then did she actually appear there?), And Yaga, not wanting to give up her intention, rushes after her in pursuit.
Promotional video:
The girl runs away, Yaga pursues her. And on the ground, thundering with its stupa like a cart. Although it seems to be able to fly. But it still catches up with her pretty quickly. Yaga needs to be detained somehow.
An obstacle is created on its way - an impenetrable forest. The question arises: can he stop and stop the chase? However, that was not the case.
Yaga is apparently Agni, i.e. Fire. The forest is not an obstacle for her. And she really "gnaws" it.
Then another obstacle is created - the river. Here fire is opposed by water. And she extinguishes it. And Yaga retreats.
There is such an assumption, maybe the stupa is just a hearth?
Then such a chain is possible: a widow's father - a girl left alone on the farm - a hearth - an attempt to start a fire - a fire - flight - a forest fire - salvation in the river.
The sympathy of the narrator is on the side of the fleeing one (she is an already offended orphan who was forced to go to the terrible Yaga under the guise of her relative). Therefore, magical means appear to help her fix obstacles in the path of the pursuer. According to the laws of the genre, there can be from two to three such obstacles. After which Yaga finally retreats, and the heroine is safely saved.
There are still other references to Baba Yaga without an explicitly narrative plot. She can, for example, fly on a broomstick, descending or flying out of a chimney.
Although she usually sits in a mortar, although she holds a broom in her hands, and moves with it. According to Pushkin, “There a stupa with Baba Yaga walks and wanders by itself,” that is, it no longer flies, but somehow, like a drunk, almost wanders around the Earth. However, this can happen quite quickly, so you even have to come up with special means to delay it. When this movement is accompanied by some kind of roar, which can be heard from afar, leaning your ear to the ground.
So the flying Baba Yaga is already clearly mixed with the image of a witch with the same characteristics and attributes. Which may not be old at all and even has the ability to turn into anything. That is, a witch is a witch.
This is not so much a fabulous, rather a folklore image - the Fiery Serpent. Which also flies, penetrates the pipe and flies away from there. And he is also a werewolf. And male. Appearing in the form of a deceased or absent husband to a soldier or a widow to exhaust her with fleshly caresses. That is, it is already a demonic entity such as an incubus.
Probably, one should separate the stories about Baba Yaga as a witch and the Fire Serpent as themes of folklore, adjacent to stories about ghosts and vampires, and now UFOs, from the actual plots of a fairy tale. Which, thus, there are only two left.
AND I. Propp tries to explain what is happening in terms of the idea of initiation of the so-called "savages", which he borrowed from James Fraser [2]. Which roughly corresponds to our final exams for the "Certificate of Maturity" with the difference that the latter is a pure formality that does not threaten the graduate in any way, while the former is a test of masculinity and endurance, accompanied by physical suffering on the verge of real death. This is necessary to confirm the applicant's readiness for the difficulties of the life of a warrior or hunter.
However, the similarity of the initiation rites with the plot of a fairy tale is only apparent. Firstly, the tale does not at all speak of a test, but of a real threat of death. And, secondly, the result of such a "test" is also a real death, but already of the "examiner" himself, which is not at all envisaged by initiation.
Therefore, such an explanation should be considered superficial and completely rejected.
What is left?
There are some fairly old stories that overlap. Some elements of the plot can be compared with a fragment of the gospel narratives. This is considered in [3].
Another option can be compared with a metaphorical description and explanation of calendar cycles [4].
It can also be assumed that the replacement of a male character by a female one is a natural adaptation of the narrator to the listener or listener himself.
Because it could be a boy or a girl. In the first case, the hero is also, naturally, a boy, and his type of behavior is strictly masculine - he valiantly wins and even easily kills the offender Yaga. In which he himself invaded, that is, in fact, he himself is her offender.
In the second case, the hero, like the listener, is a girl with a female stereotype of behavior. She does not kill anyone, but simply runs away from her, although it remains unclear why she even came there.
We can assume an everyday reconstruction of the second plot. Then such a chain arises: a widow's father - a girl left alone on the farm - a hearth - an attempt to start a fire - a fire - flight - a forest fire - salvation in the river.
This is a psychological explanation of the plot options, so to speak. In principle, it is also possible, more precisely, the narrator chooses the version of the performance that corresponds to the listener or listener.
The very same deep plot difference does not explain this. That primarily refers to the option with a female character. With the male, everything is clear - I came, I saw, I won. Its plot may well be explained by a calendar metaphor, supplemented by a story about the Snow Maiden with Santa Claus (Snowman) or Alyonushka with her brother Ivanushka.
It's more difficult with a female character.
Here, first of all, the attributes of Baba Yaga themselves need to be explained. Why, for example, does she sit and even move in a mortar. Why does she need a broom? Cover up traces - this is done to protect, for example, from damage or the evil eye. But she herself is like a witch. So why should she be afraid of this, and from whom could such a threat come to her? This remains unexplained.
The method of movement is also inexplicable on the ground, and not through the air, as well as the accompanying roar. Hearable at a great distance from her. What does it mean?
We rarely think about the literal meaning of words. So what is a stupa? In life, we know a mortar, which means a small mortar. It resembles an ordinary glass containing walls and an internal cavity open on top. Something to be ground is placed there. It also has a pestle, which is used for grinding itself, by crushing or grinding. In the case of Baba Yaga, she or her broom replaces the pestle.
Here is the appearance of the mortar:
What is a stupa? Probably a large mortar. As the name suggests, it contains some steps that are absent in a small mortar (mortar).
Have we seen this anywhere? - Yes, at least maybe just in the picture. For example, here:
Indeed, steps are also observed in the stupa. I think it makes no sense to ask her admirers themselves about the symbolism of such a structure. First of all, because an endless stream of words will be immediately offered from which it can be understood that the explainer himself does not understand anything at all.
Therefore, instead of such explanations, we will look for something similar on our own.
Could it resemble something found right in nature? - Yes, and it is no longer called a MUTE or a FOOT, but quite differently. How exactly?
- And here's how: VOLCANO!
For example:
And everything falls into place at once.
First, Baba Yaga is Agni - the mistress or goddess of fire. That is why she threatens to be burned alive, because she is fire itself, and this is her weapon.
Secondly, she sits in a mortar, i.e. inside the VOLCANO, emerging from its vent.
Thirdly, her aspiration in pursuit together with the STUPA corresponds to the Eruption of the VOLCANO. From which the earth naturally shakes, which can be heard from afar, putting your ear to it.
Fourth, the eruption, like a broomstick, sweeps away everything in its path, turning it into dust and dust.
Fifthly, it gnaws at the forest that meets on it, which at the same time simply burns out.
And finally, sixth, water can destroy fire, even a volcanic eruption, if it is the water of a wide and deep river. Simply put - the sea or the ocean. Let's remember that in ancient times the Earth was considered surrounded by a wide and deep "Ocean River", suitable for stopping any eruption.
And all these attributes are present in a slightly distorted form in the fairy tale story!
To see how easily misunderstanding can arise for a listener who has not seen it with his own eyes and only heard it from someone else's lips, let us recall the brilliant work of Federico Fellini [5]. Here is this plot in a text version (Translated from it. G. Bohemsky, A. Mirolyubova):
“Orlando makes his way to the Grand Duke, but is politely held back at a respectful distance.
The translator explains.
Interpreter. The Grand Duke allows you to interview, but only through an interpreter … Ask questions, and I will translate!
Orlando. Thank.
Interpreter. You can start.
The young Grand Duke Herzog, meanwhile, pulled on a gauntlet and tried his sword, bending its blade.
Grand Duke (in German). Interview! If only he could imagine that I know less than anyone else!
Orlando opens his notebook, clears his throat, and starts off like a professional.
Orlando. We know that you, Your Highness, were a great admirer of our great artist … And the fact that you … deigned to honor this voyage with your august presence deeply touched everyone. Mindful of this extraordinary humanity of yours, I hope to hear from you … words of consolation, hope addressed to those who … like us, wander in the dark and do not know what fate has in store for us … and feel a threat in the international situation.
Interpreter. Thank you.
The translator turns to the Grand Duke and translates into German.
Interpreter. An Italian journalist says that a good half of humanity is unhappy and seems to want to hear words of consolation.
Prime Minister (in German). AND! And what exactly is the question?
Translator (turning to Orlando). He asks what your question is.
Orlando. What does the Grand Duke think about the international situation?
Translator (translates into German). The Italian journalist wishes Your Highness to present your views on the international situation.
Grand Duke (in German). We are all sitting on the mountain.
The police chief behind Orlando, eerily sedate and dignified like a Russian priest, intervenes.
Police chief (in Hungarian). Forgive me to interfere, but the Grand Duke … said … "in the hole"; as for the rest …
Interpreter. Count Koontz corrects me. He assures that the Grand Duke said "a hole." I heard "mountain".
Orlando, grateful, perplexed, turns to the Chief of Police, asks again.
Orlando. Ah … But what is this hole?
Translator (translates). The question is, Your Highness, what is this hole? Thank you.
Prime Minister (in German). I'm sorry, but the Grand Duke used a metaphor, he said that we are all sitting on a mountain …
Interpreter. Count von Huppenbach says that the Grand Duke used a metaphor, and it doesn't matter whether it is a "mountain" or a "hole" … I, in any case, understood it as a "mountain".
A dispute erupts between the Interpreter and the Chief of Police (in German and Hungarian).
Police chief. He just said "hole".
Interpreter. No, "mountains".
Police chief. No, "holes".
Interpreter. "Horus"!
Police chief. "Hole" - munt, "hole"!
Interpreter. But German is my second native language. "Horus," he said "mountain"!
Police chief. Ich merem a mandiar gnelvet esch a nemetet.
The Grand Duke's retinue exchange glances in confusion.
Interpreter. Oh my God!
Police chief. "Munt"!
Here the Grand Duke intervenes, he makes loud noises, waves his arms.
Grand Duke. Pum! Pum! Pum! (In German.) Translate.
Interpreter. The Grand Duke says, "Pum, pum."
Orlando. What does he want to say?
Interpreter. I think that with this expression His Highness wanted to emphasize …
Orlando. Maybe the Triple Alliance … do you want to step back from your commitment? Leave Italy to her tragic fate?
Translator (off camera, translating). Your Highness, the journalist asks …
But His Highness is losing patience; hands the sword to someone from the retinue, walks up to Orlando and repeats it with determination, emphasizing every sound, every gesture.
Grand Duke. Pum! Pum! Pum!
Interpreter. The Grand Duke says, "Pum, pum!"
Orlando thinks for a minute - and now it seems to him that the riddle is solved.
Orlando. Pum … pum … pum … Mountain hole! (Laughs) Yes, it's a volcano crater! We are sitting … in the mouth of … a volcano! Excellent! Now I understand! Why, this is a tragedy … Thank you! Thank! Mountain hole! This is of course a disaster!
His sudden, unjustified gaiety is transferred to the Grand Duke's retinue.
The Grand Duke himself laughs with all his heart, putting on a mask and about to start a sword fight.
Prime Minister (in German). The interview is over.
Interpreter. The interview is over.
Orlando politely offers to leave. He willingly obeys, retreats, repeating.
Orlando. Yes of course; thank His Highness for me. Gentlemen, all the best.
He closes his notebook and walks out of the gym with a decisive step.
Just one word, incorrectly or inaccurately translated, with the possibility of a complete dead end of understanding!
Thank God, Orlando possesses extraordinary abilities as a SCIENTIST, able to decipher this riddle.
I can’t help but quote another quote showing what I mean by scientific analysis - the ability to extract reliable information from unexpected sources that were not intended for this.
Here is this quote:
Chapter IX
Israel learns the secrets of tenement houses in the Latin Quarter
After closing the door behind them, Israel walked into the middle of the room and looked around curiously.
Dark floor, parquet, but no carpet; two mahogany armchairs with embroidered seats, worn here and there; one mahogany bed with a variegated but faded bedspread; a marble washbasin, all cracked, and a porcelain jug of water, but no handle. The room seemed huge to him - this part of a vast, square-built house had once been a nobleman's mansion. The imposing size of the room made the sparse furniture look even more squalid.
However, the marble board above the fireplace (added relatively recently) and what was on it, in the eyes of Israel, not only redeemed everything else, but also made the room look luxurious and cozy. He especially liked the old-fashioned square mirror, huge and heavy, which was embedded in the wall above the shelf like a plaque. In this mirror the following graceful little things were gaily reflected: firstly, two bouquets in lovely porcelain vases; second, one bar of white soap; third, one bar of pink soap (both of them exuded a scent); fourth, one wax candle; fifth, one porcelain box with tinder and flint; sixth, one bottle of cologne; seventh, one pound of paper sugar, already chopped so that it could be put in a sugar bowl; eighth, one silver teaspoon; ninth,one small glass beaker; tenthly, one decanter of cold clear water; and eleventh, one sealed bottle with a liquid of a noble golden color and the Otar label.
- And what else is this "O-t-a-r" - Israel reasoned out loud, reading the inscription letter by letter. “Should I go to Dr. Franklin and ask?” He knows everything. Let's smell it. No, it is sealed tightly and all the smell sits inside. And the flowers are beautiful. Let's smell it. They don't smell either. Ah, here's the thing: these are flowers, like on ladies' hats - calico flowers. Great soap. And here it smells … neither give nor take, roses from soap - a white rose and a red rose. And this vial with a long neck looks like a crane. And what is it poured into it? Come on, come on! Cologne. Maybe Dr. Franklin won't figure it out either? It looks like his white wine. Sugar is good. Let's try. Yes, very good sugar, sweet, like … well, just like sugar. Better than the maple that we brew. Only gnaw should be quieter, otherwise the doctor will hear. And this is a teaspoon. Why would she lie here? No teaand a teacup too; but there is a glass and water for drinking. Let me figure it out. But if you compare this, yes this, yes that, it turns out like a letter with a meaning. A spoon, a glass, water, sugar … and you get "cognac". So, "O-t-a-r" is cognac. Who put all this here? And for what? Sugar is not a decoration, and neither is a spoon, and a jug of water. And there can be only one meaning: some invisible benefactor kindly invites me to drink a glass of brandy with sugar, if I so wish, and to abstain if I do not wish it. This is how I interpret it all. However, one should perhaps ask Dr. Franklin; suddenly yes I was mistaken and these are someone else's things, not at all intended for me. O de colon, why would … well, never mind. Soap - wash with soap. I need soap, anyway. Let's see … no, there is no soap on the sink. So in Paris they don't get soap for free. If you need it, please take it from the mantelpiece and it will be counted. If you didn't need it, don't touch or pay. Well, that turns out to be fair. Although for those who cannot afford soap, it is a great temptation to see two such beautiful pieces in front of them all the time. Well, for that matter, "O-t-a-r" is also a considerable temptation. However, if I don't like it, I won't drink it again. I should try. And the bottle is sealed. And suddenly I misinterpreted this inscription of things! Who knows! Well, yes, one sip will not be bad. Hey, cork, get out … Come on!all the time to see two such beautiful pieces in front of you is a great temptation. Well, for that matter, "O-t-a-r" is also a considerable temptation. However, if I don't like it, I won't drink it again. I should try. And the bottle is sealed. And suddenly I misinterpreted this inscription of things! Who knows! Well, yes, one sip will not be bad. Hey, cork, get out … Come on!all the time to see two such beautiful pieces in front of you is a great temptation. Well, for that matter, "O-t-a-r" is also a considerable temptation. However, if I don't like it, I won't drink it again. I should try. And the bottle is sealed. And suddenly I misinterpreted this inscription of things! Who knows! Well, yes, one sip will not be bad. Hey, cork, get out … Come on!
There was a knock on the door.
Hastily putting the bottle back in place, Israel said:
- Come in.
It was a sage.
- My honest friend, - said the doctor, entering the room with an energetic gait, - I was
so busy, while you were finishing your business on the New Bridge, that I did not have time to look at the room prepared for you. I just gave an order, and then they told me that my order was carried out. But this very minute I remembered that the Parisian landlords have strange customs that can confuse a stranger, and therefore I hastened to you in order to explain everything that you might not understand. Yes, yes, I thought so,”he added, glancing at the mantelpiece.
- I, doctor, just wanted to ask you, what is "O-t-a-r"?
- "Otar" is poison.
- What a passion!
“Yes, and perhaps it would be best for me to take him out of here immediately,” the sage replied, busily slipping the bottle under his left mouse. “I hope you don’t wear cologne?”
- And … what is it, doctor?
- Clear. You have never even heard of this unnecessary luxury - commendable ignorance. It is enough for you to smell the flowers of your mountains. So you won't need it either - and the cologne bottle found shelter under the right arm. A candle … you'll need it. Soap … the soap you need. Take the white piece.
- Is it cheaper, doctor?
- Yes, and no worse than pink. I hope you are not in the habit of gnawing sugar? It spoils the teeth. I take the sugar. - And a pound of sugar disappeared into one of the capacious pockets that adorned the scientist's caftan.
- So take all the furniture. Dr. Franklin! Let me help you get the bed out.
“My honest friend,” the sage replied, stopping calmly, and the bottles under his arms flashed like bull bubbles on a bather's belt. - My honest friend, you will need a bed; I'm going to take out of here only what you cannot need.
“I was just kidding, Doctor.
- I got it. To joke out of place is a bad habit: you need to know when to joke and with whom to joke. All these items were laid out on the mantelpiece by the hostess, so that the guest would choose what he needed, and not touch the rest. Tomorrow morning a maid will come to clean your room. It would take away everything you didn't need, and the rest would count even if you only used a little.
- I thought so. But then, Doctor, why do you bother taking the bottles away?
- What for? But aren't you my guest, my honest friend? I would be a bad master if I allowed someone else to provide you with unnecessary services under the roof, which is still considered as mine.
The sage spoke these words in the most amiable, most sincere tone. And when he finished, he bowed slightly to Israel with meek dignity.
Fascinated by his courtesy, Israel did not say another word and silently watched as he left the room, taking away bottles and everything else. And only when the first impression of the courtesy of the venerable envoy weakened a little, he guessed about a successful tactical maneuver that was hidden behind such flattering care for him.
“Yes,” Israel mused, sitting dejectedly in front of the emptied mantelpiece and holding an empty glass and a teaspoon in his hand. "It's not very pleasant to have a neighbor like this Dr. Franklin."
Here I will interrupt this fascinating narration of Herman Melville [6], so that I do not accidentally read it to the end.
So what can be assumed in the end?
- That's what.
Probably the second story about Baba Yaga is another surviving story, this time purely Russian, about the Flood caused by a giant volcanic eruption. And about the salvation of humanity from him, represented by a young female character. The term STUPA also becomes understandable - after all, during an eruption, the lava layers successively approach each other, forming TRAPPOV, that is, stepped structures.
This may be the third possible explanation for the plot of the fairy tale.
Literature
1. Propp A. Ya. "The historical roots of the fairy tale".
2. Fraser James "Golden Branch".
3. Somsikov A. I. "Gospel reflections in folk tales"
4. Somsikov A. I. "Baba Yaga as a calendar metaphor"
5. Fellini F., Guerra T. “Amarcord. And the ship is sailing : Kinopovesti / Per. with it. G. Bohemsky, A. Mirolyubova. - SPb.: Azbuka-classic, 2002. - pp. 208 - 214.
6. Merville Herman “Israel Potter. Fifty Years of His Exile "Ed. "Fiction" Moscow, 1966, pp. 99 - 103.
Author: A. I. SOMSIKOV