The most famous heroes of fairy tales and cartoons in the world. The prototypes of the heroes of Russian folk tales

Leafing through illustrated books with fairy tales, watching the most favorite Russian or foreign animated films, children get to know different characters. Over time, some of them become the most beloved.

Famous fairy tale characters

Fairy tales are a powerful tool for teaching children. As you know, children perceive the information that is presented to them in a playful way best of all. Through fairy tales, they quickly and easily understand common truths in a form designed for children's understanding.

From early childhood, when mothers read the first fairy tales to babies, they get to know the fairy tale characters. Little children know such heroes of fairy tales as Three Little Pigs, Gray Goat, Mukha-Tsokatukha, Barmaley, Tarakanische and Moidodyr. All of them are also familiar with the Ugly Duckling, Doctor Aibolit, Kolobok, Ryaba Chicken, Zhikharka, Buratino, Baba Yaga, Masha and the Bear.

Growing up, children get acquainted with the characters of fairy tales, designed for their age, and accordingly, the priorities regarding their favorite fairy-tale characters change. Among the favorites are Gerda and Kai, Thumbelina, Ruslan and Lyudmila, Balda, Prince Guidon, the Little Humpbacked Horse, Little Red Riding Hood, Mowgli and Carlson. Ellie, the Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow cannot help but love.

Heroes of the most popular Russian cartoons

There are many children and adults among lovers of Russian cartoons. Let's name the ten most famous heroes of Russian cartoons. In the first place is the sneak and the villainous Dyudyuk Barbidokskaya. Dyudyuka with a large bow and an umbrella in his hands is trying to embroil friends. She is the heroine of such cartoons as "A Gift for an Elephant" and "On the Road with Clouds".

As you know, this robber, invented by Korney Chukovsky, lived in Africa and was the enemy of Doctor Aibolit. The honorable third place is taken by such a cartoon hero as the white bear Umka. Cheburashka is in fourth position, and Leopold the Cat is in fifth. A bear named Winnie the Pooh is also one of the most popular characters in Russian cartoons. He took the sixth position in the ranking.

A man in the prime of his life entered the top ten and took seventh place, namely, the beloved Carlson. Eighth place was shared by the following domestic cartoon characters - Thumbelina, Captain Vrungel, Dwarf Nose and silly Dunno. The Wooden Boy is on the ninth line of the rating. The last place in the top ten most popular heroes is occupied by the onion boy - the brave Cipollino.

The most favorite characters of foreign cartoons

Almost every child watches cartoons, and his favorite characters are not only representatives of the domestic film industry, but also cartoon characters of foreign animated films. Powerful advertising contributes to the growing popularity of foreign cartoon characters.

By the way, Disney princesses have become very expensive to produce .. A Tangled Story "is included in the rating of the most expensive cartoons. The site has.

There are many foreign animated films that have become favorite for children. They have kind and beautiful heroes. Among the favorites are the heroes of the cartoon "Cars". For the most part, they are of interest to boys. But girls are interested in such a character as Kitty. Despite the fact that he appeared on the screens back in 1974, his popularity continues unabated today. The spectacular and beautiful Winx fairies are also more interesting to girls, many of whom strive to be like them. For many years, princesses from Disney cartoons have remained popular - these are Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel.

It is impossible not to remember such cartoon heroes as SpongeBob and Scooby Doo, Sean the Sheep and Bernard, Ninja Turtles and Cuzco, Bart Simpson and Mickey Mouse. All of them are known and loved by children. The green hero of the foreign cartoon Shrek has been in leadership positions in popularity among the younger generation for a long time. Ratatouille, Hulk and Rango are no less interesting and beloved heroes of full-length cartoons.

The most popular cartoon character today

Each country has a cartoon that is in the first place in the popularity rating. For example, among Korean cartoon characters, Pororo is the most popular. This little blue penguin makes even crying children laugh. Gradually, it becomes popular in many countries around the world. Shrek is the most famous cartoon character to date

Among all the variety of cartoons filmed, children from different countries fell in love with films about Shrek and his many friends. It is he who is recognized as the world's most beloved cartoon character. Several episodes with the participation of Shrek have already been released, his little fans are eagerly awaiting the emergence of new exciting stories about this green hero.
Subscribe to our channel in Yandex.Zen

A fairy tale plays a significant role in a person's life. This is what he hears one of the first after birth; she accompanies him in the next stages of growing up. Fairy tales are loved not only by children, but also by adults. Their deep philosophical meaning makes it possible to look at ordinary things differently; understand the principles of good and evil; learn to believe in a miracle and not forget about your own role.

Moral values ​​are transmitted through characteristic characters, each of which has its own national prototype.

Hare

Runaway hare, gray hare, oblique - as soon as the animal is not called in Russian folk tales. He is endowed with a cowardly, but at the same time friendly character. The fabulous hare has cunning, agility and resourcefulness. A striking example is the fairy tale "The Fox and the Hare", where a small animal from a cowardly animal turns into a savvy hero who managed to deceive even an evil wolf and help his friends.

In nature, hares do have careful habits that help them avoid the teeth of predators. Our ancestors knew this feature of the animal.

A fox

Sly, dodgy, smart, insidious, vindictive ... What traits do not endow a fox in fairy tales. She deceives animals, seeks benefits everywhere, is not afraid of people. The fox is friends with the strong, but only for his own benefit.

Cunning is embodied in the image of an animal. A dishonest, thieving, but at the same time clever person can be considered a popular prototype. The fox is feared, despised and respected at the same time. This is evidenced by the appeal to her in fairy tales as Lisa Patrikeevna, Fox-Sister.

Wolf

The wolf in Russian fairy tales embodies anger. He preys on weaker animals; does not always act cunningly. The shortsightedness of the wolf is used by other characters. In the fairy tale "Sister Fox and the Gray Wolf" a red-haired cheat deceived a formidable predator, and in "Three Little Pigs"

harmless pigs were able to lead him around his finger.

Our ancestors also associated the wolf with death. Indeed, in nature, this predator is considered a kind of forest orderly, who hunt weak and sick animals. And the human prototype of the wolf can be considered one who is too evil, greedy and vengeful.

Bear

The fairy bear is the master of the forest. He is strong, rude, clumsy and not entirely smart. It is believed that the common people wanted to portray landowners in the form of a bear. Therefore, in fairy tales, this animal is often deceived by weaker animals with which ordinary people are associated.

At the same time, in fairy tales you can find another image of a bear: kind, calm, honest and freedom-loving. Suffice it to recall how the bear helped the lost girl Masha in the work of the same name.

Peasant (peasant)

The image of a man in fairy tales has different meanings. In some works, he appears as the personification of the working people: he is somewhat simple-minded, works all the time, does not put up with the injustice of wealthy owners. On the other hand, such traits as wisdom and cunning were embodied in the peasant. He is hardworking, not rich, but much more cunning and resourceful than landowners and generals.

Baba Yaga

A hut on chicken legs, a black cat, a mortar and a broom are the main attributes of any fabulous Baba Yaga. This old woman is both evil (which only her threats are worth) and kind (helps in difficult situations). She is wise, strong-willed, purposeful. May be an advisor, or may be a threat.

The image of Baba Yaga in Russian fairy tales is one of the most controversial and controversial. She personifies matriarchal traits. Our ancestors Baba Yaga was closely related to the clan.

Koschei the Deathless

In fairy tales, his image can be seen in three guises: a sorcerer with special power, the king of the underworld and an old man who can be the husband of the Snake or a friend of Baba Yaga. Possesses unusual abilities: turns heroes into animals and birds. It can only be defeated through certain rituals (with the help of a magic horse, club, burning). Despite his name, he is not at all immortal, because his death is at the tip of a needle (or, alternatively, in an egg), which are safely hidden.

The folk prototype of Koshchei is a domineering, evil, cunning and vile person, endowed with magical properties.

Ivan the Fool

Despite the ambiguous name, Ivan is not at all the personification of stupidity, even if he is called a fool in the work. In fairy tales, he is the youngest of the sons, who often does nothing, is lazy, but achieves a lot in life, thanks to cunning and good luck. This is a good guy who embodies the traits of what people want to have. A kind of dream, where without much effort, by chance, everything succeeds: to become rich, and to marry a princess. Our ancestors in the form of Ivan the Fool wanted to show a successful person.

Ivan Tsarevich

Unlike Ivan the Fool, who gets everything simply and without effort, Ivan Tsarevich must overcome many obstacles to achieve his goal, showing his strength, intelligence and skills. He becomes a prince not only by the fact of birth, which he does not even know about, but by merits. Like Ivan the Fool, he is most often the youngest of the brothers, only of royal blood.

Kikimora

Kikimora in fairy tales can act in the form of an ugly creature of an indefinite age (this is a girl, an old woman, and even a man). He is the personification of evil spirits. She tries to hide from people, but lives near residential buildings or in a swamp. Her task is to nag and scare.

The mythological meaning of kikimora among our ancestors is a person who passed away in an unrighteous way. Therefore, his soul does not find rest.

Water

The merman is the master of the water. This is a half-man-half fish. Lives near mills, in a pool and a hole. Scares people and drags them to the bottom; breaks mills and drowns livestock. But the water one can be deceived, defeated by cunning.

Fairy tales have their own special structure - stable plots and motives are constantly used in its composition, heroes of fairy tales with their invariable functions and abilities are encountered. We all remember popular folk tales with their threefold repetitions, with repeating formulas "Once upon a time ...", "In a certain kingdom, in a certain state ...", "A fairy tale is a lie, but there is a hint in it ...". The space in a fairy tale is conditional and distant from reality.

The heroes of fairy tales are distinguished by such bright human qualities as nobility, kind-heartedness, courage, resourcefulness, and good forces always prevail in fairy tales. Among the positive heroes of Russian folk tales, there are brave princes, epic heroes, simple peasants, and a number of female images.

Bogatyrs are originally heroes of Russian epics, but over time they penetrated into folk tales. The most famous hero of fairy tales is Ilya Muromets. He embodies the ideal of a warrior hero, who is famous not only for his remarkable physical strength, but also for the special moral qualities inherent in a real hero: calmness, perseverance, good nature. In epics and fairy tales, this hero is the people's defender. Let us recall, for example, such a work as "Ilya Muromets and the Nightingale the Robber." Also worthy of mention is the noble but little-known old hero of Russian fairy tales Ruslan Lazarevich. The plots and adventures in which he appears are close to the well-known plots with Ilya Muromets.

Dobrynya Nikitich, like the hero of fairy tales, acts as a reliable assistant to the prince, whom he has probably served for many years. He carries out personal assignments of the prince, for example, to save his daughter or niece. Dobrynya is distinguished by particular courage - he himself decides to carry out tasks that the rest of the heroes refuse. Often this is the hero of the fairy tale about snake fighting, as well as Alyosha Popovich. Their adventures and the stories in which they appear are extremely similar to each other. Let us recall, for example, such stories as "Dobrynya Nikitich and the Serpent Gorynych" and "Alyosha Popovich and Tugarin the Serpent".

All these three epic heroes are in close interaction with each other, and in different fairy tales they manifest their strong and noble qualities in different ways. Everyone knows these names of the heroes of folk tales. Alyosha Popovich is a collective image of a hero in Russian folklore. In the character of this hero of the tale, we see a mixture of the most varied features. First of all, Alyosha is distinguished by his courage, but he is also very fervent and cunning. His image reflected the whole breadth of the soul of the Russian person, all its versatility.

Favorite hero of folk tales - Ivan Tsarevich. This is a well-known positive character who fights against evil, helps the weak and offended. This is often the youngest of the king's three sons. In some plots, Ivan does not even know about his royal origin, but, nevertheless, personifies the nobility and good qualities of the soul. For example, he fights with Koschei, overcomes him, saves his wife or a beautiful princess. And for his heroic behavior and good deeds, this hero of folk tales receives the kingdom due to him or other people's half of the kingdom, and the royal daughter, and other magical skills.

Ivanushka the Fool is also a very important hero of fairy tales, who stands on the side of good and light forces. Ivan the Fool is just a peasant's son and he does not at all resemble a noble fairytale hero. Its peculiarity is that outwardly he is not at all like other positive heroes of Russian fairy tales. He does not shine with intelligence, but it is thanks to his irrational behavior and non-standard thinking that he passes all fabulous tests, defeats his opponent and gets wealth.

It is important to note that Ivan the Fool has a special creative ability - he plays musical instruments (gusli or pipe), and in fairy tales, great importance is often attached to his wonderful singing. This is its peculiarity, because the positive heroes of fairy tales are not always able to create something beautiful on their own, without resorting to the help of magical animals or objects.

Among the female fairy-tale images, the type of the Wonderful Bride is especially outstanding. This extraordinary hero of fairy tales is distinguished by intelligence and special feminine cunning. Often she owns some kind of magical items or knows how to use miraculous powers. We all know the heroines corresponding to this type: Vasilisa the Beautiful, Vasilisa the Wise and the Frog Princess. This is the female version of the strong hero of folk tales.

This kind heroine is a reflection of the bright side, the personification of goodness and peace, but at the same time in many plots the wonderful bride is the daughter of the enemy of the protagonist of the tale. A kind hero of folk tales goes through severe trials and solves difficult riddles, and a wonderful bride helps him with these tasks. Thus, sometimes in one fairy tale we meet not one, but two, or even three characters who help each other in the fight against evil.

As we can see, the goodies of folk tales are very diverse. They reveal different sides of the national character: here and nobility, and selflessness, and ingenuity, and cunning, and special heroism, straightforwardness, and female wisdom. The heroes of fairy tales overcome all obstacles on their way thanks to these positive qualities. Indeed, in Russian folklore, fairytale heroes strive for light, and good forces always prevail.

We were all small once, and we all read Russian fairy tales. Reading these tales, we had a figurative idea about all the characters, about Vodyanoy, Baba Yaga, Koschey the Immortal, Ivan Tsarevich, Alyonushka, Barbara Krasa, and many more. Fairy tales taught us to recognize good and evil. In each hero of the tale, one can distinguish between good and bad traits. And each main character contains a certain meaning. For example:
1. Ivan Tsarevich is one of the main heroes of Russian folk tales. Usually in a fairy tale he is shown as a positive hero. His characteristic qualities are kindness, honesty and nobility. In every fairy tale, Ivan helps people, saves the princess or defeats the enemy. Ivan teaches each person to listen to their heart, and if something bad happens, do not lose heart.
2. A frequently mentioned hero from fairy tales is the Snow Maiden. She is shown to readers as a tender, vulnerable, pure soul. The Snow Maiden embodies all the best qualities that every woman should have. The Snow Maiden always has unusual beauty in fairy tales. She teaches us that everything that is not done from the heart will not be successful, and also that we should not stop at any difficulties. If you wanted something, you need to strive for it, and then everything will work out.
3. But, our children like not only positive characters, but also negative ones. For example, many admire Baba Yaga. This character is involved in almost every fairy tale. Baba Yaga lives in a large dark forest in a small hut on chicken legs. In order for the hut to turn and open its doors, it must be told: hut, hut, turn your back to the forest, and in front of me. And then the hut will definitely turn around and open its doors. Old Yaga is a longtime girlfriend of Koshchei the Immortal; they sometimes make insidious plans together. But, the main distinguishing feature of Baba Yaga is that she flies in a mortar and on a broomstick. Baba Yaga symbolizes insidious people who do everything from under the Teshka. Children remember Baba Yaga as a grandmother in a mortar with a large bent nose.
4. Koschey the Immortal is the most sinister hero of Russian folk tales. He lives in splendid isolation in the castle. He is also very rich and greedy. But, the most important feature of Koschei is that it is not so easy to kill him. His death is hidden in a crystal box, in an egg. If you take a needle that is hidden in an egg and break it in two, then the Koschey will die. Koschey the Immortal is an image of evil, insidious and bad people. Looking at him, we see that everyone who loves money very much quickly dies.
5. The merman is a masculine creature that lives in a swamp. He is a good master and protects his possessions well. But, if offended, he can take cruel revenge. Fishermen who fished in reservoirs, so that the Water One would not interfere with them, they appeased him. People brought various treats to the water, and in gratitude for this, the Water One did not tear their fishing nets, and did not frighten the fish. The water one symbolizes people who are ready not to notice anything bad if they give him something for it. This is a negative character, and should not be repeated after him.
6. Gnomes - they live underground, working in mines. They are very hard working. But they also have a negative trait, the gnomes are too greedy for gold. For his sake, they are ready to do anything. The people who love money more than anything else are the prototypes of the gnomes.
7. Brownie - a creature that lives in every house. Usually the Brownie is the keeper of cleanliness and comfort in the house. People believed that if the brownie lives in the house, then it will always be clean and comfortable there. Brownie is an image of economic and ambitious people.
8. Serpent Gorynych is a negative hero of Russian folk tales. He has either three, or nine, or twelve heads. As a rule, the Serpent Gorynych spews flame. When it flies, thunder rumbles and the earth shakes. In fairy tales, the Serpent Gorynych stole girls, and burned cities and villages with his fire. The serpent Gorynych symbolizes bad people who, in order to achieve their goal, are ready to do anything.
All the heroes in Russian folk tales contain a lot of meaning. There are, as well as negative, there are positive characters. To understand what kind of hero is in a fairy tale, you need to understand and analyze him. Since fairy tales are very useful, they need to be read to children, they will help in shaping their vision of the world.

Copy
Russian folk tales with their amazing heroes familiar to all of us from an early age.

Russian folk tales are the most beloved and popular genre of Russian folklore and introduce readers to the history and culture of their ancestors. Russian folk tales Is a treasure trove of folk wisdom. In their entertaining, engaging form, they contain a deep instructive meaning. Thanks to Russian folk tale, children discover the world around them, get acquainted with the concepts of honor and conscience, learn goodness and justice using the example of the relationship of fairy-tale heroes.

Russian nationalFairy tales can be roughly divided into three types: magic, about animals, and everyday, satirical. All of them came to us from those distant times when all natural phenomena and things were given a magical, sacred explanation. Therefore, many mythological heroes, such as Vodyanoy, Kikimora Bolotnaya, Leshy, mermaids and brownies, are associated with the elemental forces of nature and pagan beliefs.

Main hero in russian folk the tale usually combined noble human qualities: such as courage, honesty, fearlessness, mercy and decency. Ivan Tsarevich, heroes, peasant son Ivan is a fool, Emelya, they all went through trials and adversities, and in the end Russian folkfairy tales the evil forces were victorious. Often, the positive hero was accompanied by helpers, a gray wolf, symbolizing intelligence and cunning, or a horse, personifying devotion and loyalty.

Female images that meet in fairy tales, also possessed kindness, a bright mind, wisdom and tenderness. Vasilisa the Wise, Elena the beautiful, Marya the Princess, the Snow Maiden were endowed not only with a very beautiful appearance, but also with a pure soul.

Positive heroesRussian folk tales, as a rule, they were opposed by dark forces, mysterious and insidious characters. Baba Yaga, Koschey the Immortal, Serpent Gorynych, Nightingale the Robber are the most popular fairy tale villains who brought harm to people, knew how to conjure and expressed the people's idea of ​​cruelty and greed.

Heroes of Russian folk tales there were often animals and birds that lived and acted like people. In each fairy tale story with animals, human types are allegorically described, with their different characters and vices. These fairy-tale characters are numerous - a bear, a wolf, a hare, a goat, a rooster, a chicken, a cat, a pig, a crane and a heron, and, of course, the cunning fox that was found in Russian fairy tales more often than anyone else.

Russian folk tales so unique in their poetry and content, so vividly convey the spirit of the Russian person that over time, interest in them does not diminish. Albeit in a more modern language, fairy tales continue to be told in families and animated by animators, making children and adults laugh and empathize with their heroes.

Ivan the Fool

Ivan the Fool, or Ivanushka the Fool - one of the main characters Russian folk tales... According to some versions, the name with the epithet fool is a name-talisman that prevents the evil eye. It embodies a special fairytale strategy that does not come from the standard postulates of practical reason, but relies on the search for its own solutions, often contrary to common sense, but ultimately bringing success.

According to other versions, a "fool" is his property status. Since he is the third son, he is not entitled to a share in the inheritance (remains a fool). As a rule, his social status is low - a peasant son or the son of an old man with an old woman. In the family, he was often the third, youngest son. Not married.

With the help of magical means and especially thanks to his "not mind" Ivan the Fool successfully passes all the tests and reaches the highest values: he defeats the enemy, marries the Tsar's daughter, gets both wealth and fame ... Perhaps Ivan the Fool achieves all this thanks to this that he embodies the first (according to J. Dumézil) magical-legal function, connected not so much with the deed as with the word, with priestly duties.

Ivan the Fool is the only brother who speaks in a fairy tale. Ivan the Fool makes and guesses riddles, that is, he does what a priest does in many traditions during a ritual timed to coincide with the main annual holiday.

Emelya

Emelya is a character in the Russian folk tale "At the Pike's Command." Emelya is not allowed to do serious family matters. He is extremely lazy: his daughters-in-law have to beg him for a long time to do any, even uncomplicated work. The only thing that can motivate him to act is the promise of gifts for which he is greedy. This is the hidden, at first glance imperceptible irony, the name Emelyan, according to one version, translated from Latin means "hardworking". However, this seemingly unattractive character has qualities that make him a real hero: he is agile and lucky, he managed to catch a magic pike in an ice hole with his bare hands and get magic power from it (the pike becomes a “magic helper” of the village idiot).

First, Emelya uses the acquired gift for domestic purposes - makes buckets go for water, an ax - chop wood, a club - pound enemies. In addition, he moves on a self-propelled sleigh without a horse, and subsequently controls the stove (since he does not want to leave his favorite couch). Riding on the stove is one of the brightest episodes of the tale. It is interesting that, driving his vehicles, Emelya ruthlessly crushes people (“Why did they climb under the sled?”). Among folklorists, there is an opinion that this detail indicates the royal nature of Emelya, who for the time being remains a "dark horse", and later reveals his heroic, outstanding essence.

Baba Yaga

Baba-Yaga is a character of Slavic mythology and folklore (especially a fairy tale) of the Slavic peoples, an old sorceress, endowed with magical powers, a witch, a werewolf. In terms of its properties, it is closest to a witch. Most often - a negative character.

Baba Yaga has several stable attributes: she knows how to conjure, fly in a mortar, lives in the forest, in a hut on chicken legs, surrounded by a fence of human bones with skulls. Baba Yaga has the ability to decrease in size - thus, she moves in a mortar. She lures good fellows and small children to her and roasts them in the oven. She pursues her victims in a mortar, chasing her with a pestle and covering the trail with a broom (broom). There are three types of Baba Yaga: the giver (she gives the hero a fairy horse or a magic object); kidnapper; Baba Yaga is a warrior, fighting with whom “not for life, but for death,” the hero of the fairy tale goes to a different level of maturity.

Koschey (Kaschey)

Koschey is associated with the element of water: water gives Koschey supernatural strength. After drinking three buckets of water brought to him by Ivan Tsarevich, Koschey breaks 12 chains and frees himself from the dungeon of Marya Morevna.

Koshchei the Immortal was represented in the form of a skeleton, crowned with a crown, with a sword, sitting on a skeleton horse, and they called Koshchei Kostya the Soulless. He, according to legends, sowed quarrels and anger, and his horse personified the death of all livestock. She spread a variety of diseases that kill domestic animals.

In tex Russian folk tales the enemy of Koshchei is Baba Yaga, who tells the main character information on how to kill him, but sometimes they are at the same time. Koschei has many enemies, but few of them were worried about meeting him.

The word "koschey" in the XII century meant a slave, a captive.

Zmey Gorynych

Serpent Gorynych is a multi-headed fire-breathing dragon, a representative of the evil principle in Russian folk tales and epics.

The multi-headedness of the snake is an indispensable feature of it. In different fairy tales, the number of snake heads differs: there are 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12. Most often, the snake appears to be three-headed. In most cases, the kite has the ability to fly, but, as a rule, nothing is said about its wings. The body of the snake is not described in fairy tales, however, in popular prints depicting a snake, the favorite details are a long tail - an arrow and clawed paws. Another important feature of the snake is its fiery nature, however, how exactly the fire is spewed out, fairy tales do not describe. The snake carries fire in itself and spews it out in the event of an attack. In addition to the fiery element, the snake is also associated with the water element, and these two elements are not mutually exclusive. In some tales, he lives in water, sleeps on a rock in the sea. At the same time, the serpent is also the Serpent Gorynych and lives in the mountains. However, such a location does not prevent him from being a sea monster. In some tales, he lives in the mountains, but when the hero approaches him, he comes out of the water.

Firebird

The Firebird is a fabulous bird, a character in Russian fairy tales, usually the goal of searching for a hero of a fairy tale. The feathers of the firebird have the ability to shine and, with their brilliance, amaze a person's eyes. The Firebird is a fiery bird, its feathers shine with silver and gold, its wings are like tongues of flame, and its eyes shine like a crystal. It reaches the size of a peacock.

The Firebird lives in the Garden of Eden of Iria, in a golden cage. At night, it flies out of it and illuminates the garden with itself as brightly as thousands of lighted lights: heat is a bird as the personification of fire, light, sun. She feeds on golden apples, which give youth, beauty and immortality; when she sings, pearls fall from her beak.

The singing of the firebird heals the sick and restores sight to the blind. Leaving aside arbitrary mythological explanations, one can compare the firebird with medieval stories, very popular both in Russian and in Western European literature, about the Phoenix bird rising from the ashes. The prototype of the Firebird is the peacock. Rejuvenating apples, in turn, can be compared with the fruits of the pomegranate tree, a favorite delicacy of the Phoenix.

Every year, in the fall, the Firebird dies and is reborn in the spring. Occasionally, a dropped Firebird's tail feather can be found brought into a dark room to replace the richest lighting. Over time, such a feather turns into gold. To catch the Firebird, they use a golden cage with apples inside as a trap. You cannot catch it with your bare hands, as you can burn yourself on its plumage.

Santa Claus

Ded Moroz (Dedko Morozko) - a character in Russian legends, in Slavic mythology - the personification of winter frosts, a blacksmith who fetters the water; in modern times - the main fairy-tale character at the New Year's holiday, the local version of the Christmas giver.

Moroz (Morozko, Treskun, Studenets) is a Slavic mythological character, the lord of the winter cold. The ancient Slavs represented him in the form of a short old man with a long gray beard. His breath is a violent cold. His tears are icicles. Rime - frozen words. The hair is snowy clouds. The wife of Frost is Winter herself. In winter, Frost runs through fields, forests, streets and knocks with his staff. From this knocking, crackling frosts freeze rivers, streams, puddles with ice.

Often depicted in a blue or red fur coat with a long white beard and a staff in his hand, in felt boots. Rides three horses. He is inseparable from his granddaughter, Snegurochka.

Initially, he had only blue (mostly) and white fur coats in his wardrobe, but in the middle of the 20th century he was dressed in a red fur coat. Changing the color of the costume played two roles: on the one hand, red was the national color of the USSR, on the other, red echoed the color of Santa Claus's fur coat, which was popular in Europe.

Snow Maiden

The Snow Maiden is a New Year character in Russian legends, the granddaughter of Santa Claus. However, among the Slavs, the Snow Maiden was considered the daughter of Frost and Spring.

The image of the Snow Maiden is unique for Russian culture. There are no female characters in the New Year and Christmas mythology of the rest of the world. In Russian folklore, she appears as a character in a folk tale about a girl made of snow who came to life.