Женският митологичен образ - мит и реалност в езическите вярвания на славяни и българи
Female Mythological Image - Myth and Reality in the Pagan Beliefs of Slavs and Bulgarians

Summary/Abstract: A characteristic of every religion is the broad reflection of the actual features of the surrounding world in strange, fantastic forms. The connection between the objective reality and its fantastic reflection in beliefs was more clearly felt in early societies. In those societies it was precisely myth that moulded all vital elements and forms, creating a transformed supreme reality that was perceived as the prime source and ideal prototype of what objectively existed. The author depicts the images and analyzes the character of the various supernatural beings (gods or spirits), perceived as female ones, and at the same time seeks those realities that gave life to the religious beliefs. It is being proved that mythological female images were the reflection of actual notions of woman, connected with her nature and specific functions in society. This statement is confirmed by the exceptional vitality and wide spread of some of the images characteristic of the Bulgarian beliefs. The author also examines the functions of female mythological beings such as wood-nymphs, fates and others as well as the functions of some of the supernatural female beings of higher rank like the Slav goddess of Yerisso. Finally, on the basis of the analysis done as well as of the parallel drawn between male and female deities and spirits in the pagan religion of Slavs and Bulgarians conclusions are drawn of our forefathers' actual idea of woman and her place and role in society.

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