“Extra” body parts in Slavic legends and beliefs
https://doi.org/10.28995/2658-4158-2022-1-141-154
Abstract
The publication considers the plots and motives of Slavic legends, as well as beliefs about different parts of the human body. Particular attention is paid to those parts of the body that were added or, conversely, rejected in the process of human creation. In Slavic cosmogonic and etiological legends, there is a clear idea that the human body should correspond to the ideal conceived by the demiurge, that is why the cornea or body hair, tail are superfluous; genitalsadded to the original body are recognized as necessary. The main criterion for evaluating the human body is the norm, and bodily redundancy or insufficiency characterizes demonic beings.
About the Author
O. V. Belova
Institute of Slavic Studies, Russian Academy of Science
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Olga V. Belova, Dr. of Sci. (Philology)
32 A, Leninsky Av., Moscow, Russia, 119334
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Review
For citations:
Belova O.V. “Extra” body parts in Slavic legends and beliefs. Studia Religiosa Rossica: Russian Journal of Religion. 2022;(1):141-154. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.28995/2658-4158-2022-1-141-154
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