Slavic
by Richard Kuehnel and Rado Lencek The Classification of Folklore An important step in scholarly analysis is a precise definition of terms. For folklore an appropriate classification system must be selected. According to Vladimir Propp the classification of folklore is not an easy task. He considers classification according to themes,
Slavic
by Richard Kuehnel and Rado Lencek Lexical Definition of Living Water Having defined our concepts, definitions, and terminology in What is a Folklore Motif it is now possible to define lexically the specific motif of living water. Living water, like water labeled by other attributes, is hardly completely stable in
Slavic
by Richard Kuehnel and Rado Lencek Universal or Polygenetic? The presence of the living water motif in Slavic folklore can be deduced from different sources. Speaking entirely speculatively, it may pertain to a broad human community, or even be universal. Myths containing living water motifs are common to many cultures
Slavic
by Richard Kuehnel and Rado Lencek Biblical Origins We examined the motif of living water in classical Greek and Latin tradition in Greek and Latin Origins of Living Water Another possible origin is Jewish biblical tradition. The Bible contains many references to the motif. "Living" water, i.e.
Slavic
by Richard Kuehnel and Rado Lencek Slavic Origins We examined the motif of living water in Jewish biblical tradition in Jewish Biblical Origins of Living Water and in classical Greek and Latin tradition in Greek and Latin Origins of Living Water Another possible explanation for the living water motif in
Slavic
by Richard Kuehnel and Rado Lencek Introduction to Structural Analysis We examined the motif of living water in Slavic tradition in Slavic Origins of Living Water Now that the common Slavic origin of the motif is confirmed, the collected Eastern Slavic folktales of Afanasev will be used as a data
Slavic
by Richard Kuehnel and Rado Lencek Structural Analysis We introduced the methodology of Levi-Strauss in Levi-Strauss and Structural Analysis For the purposes of this investigation the structural analysis of Afanasev's folktales was accomplished in three phases: the identification and documentation of all tales which refer to the magical
Slavic
by Richard Kuehnel and Rado Lencek The Slavic Proto-Home We applied structural analysis to the motif of living water in Structural Analysis Let's look at environmental factors to discover the origin of the oppositions that have emerged. In order to examine the conditions in which the belief in
Slavic
by Richard Kuehnel and Rado Lencek The Transition to Agriculture Having characterized the so-called Slavic proto-home in The Slavic Proto-Home let's look at the transition to agriculture. According to B.V. Andrianov the transition from food gathering to agriculture in eastern Europe was a lengthy process of trial
Slavic
by Richard Kuehnel and Rado Lencek Ritual and the Living Water Motif Having examined environmental factors in Environmental Factors we conclude that the mythical beliefs in the magical powers of water, as evidenced in the motifs of dead and living water, probably emerged during the transition to primitive farming. If
Slavic
by Richard Kuehnel and Rado Lencek Our investigation has produced several significant conclusions. It has demonstrated that the living water motif may be common to Eastern, Western, and South Slavic tradition and therefore of common Slavic origin. Our structural analysis of the Eastern Slavic folktales collected by Afanasev has produced