Mythical Symbolism in Baba Yaga (Essay Sample)

Topic: Mythical Symbolism in Baba Yaga
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Mythical Symbolism in Baba Yaga
Symbolism refers to the use of symbols in the representation of ideas or qualities in the real world in a literal work. Baba Yaga refers to one of the most revered Slavic folklore, mythical creature and the guardian of the underworld. She is depicted as a forest spirit and leads a host of spirits. Stories of Baba Yaga features in integration and teaching of the children the concept of reverence and its importance.
Symbolism
Baba Yaga's complexity of character is depicted in her choice of personal transportation. In the Book, the Bones of Baba Yaga, a young brother and sister wandering in the forest around Baba Yaga's hurt are hurled with a flying chicken bowl, ringed with flames, and a grinding mortar, which is paddled along with a hideous old hag and a giant pestle. In interpretation, the womb-like vessel, and the phallic pestle symbolizes Baba Yaga's dualistic nature, the feminine and the masculine nature. The mortar and the pestle also symbolize the destructive (the grinding nature) and the nurturing (to prepare) dualistic qualities of this guardian of the underworld. Baba Yaga's mortar and pestle depict precisely how she grinds, and nature (grinds up) the children, and how nature reuses the children (Warner, 2002). Destructive, nurturing and regenerative aspects also portray the three phase of human life; that is birth, life, and death.
The three phases of life also portray Baba Yaga as a Triple Goddess figure. This is developed further through her shifting ability in transforming herself into an archetypal maiden, mother or an even to a crone. According to Palmer, Baba Yaga is the death that leads to a rebirth. The point of a guardian of life is further integrated by the fact that she has the power of healing. When a person is killed by a sword or fire and sprinkled with the water of the earth, the entire wound heals (Palmer, 2005). When a corpse is sprinkled with the water of life, the corpse gets back life (reborn). Another significant mythical symbolism in the folktale Baba Yaga is that of an oven. Since the primordial times, the oven represents the womb and of baked bread. The womb is a representation of the cycle of life.
The baked bread is a powerful image that represents the earth. The earth is the place where the cycle of life begins and ends. It is the place where a person’s body is born when the person dies; the earth still portrays the place of burial of the same body. Baba Yaga in most of the folktales invites her guest. The behavior of the guest while in the house determines the outcome. If the guest behaves well and in accordance with her requirements, the guest is accorded a special treatment and not reprimanded example is Vasilisa the Wise. She invites her guests to clean up and eat before eating the guest ups. This context according to Johns represents a preparation of a journey of life. Baba Yaga prepares the guest for their final journey for entering death, and that will later result in a clean rebirth (John, 2004). Baba Yaga in this plot also provides the prey wish options when she asks the victim to sit on her spatula placed inside the oven, the witty and brave escapes the fierce fires of the oven, this is a representation of the choices given by life.
Baba Yaga guards waters of life and death. She is considered the white woman of death and rebirth and often referred to as the ancient goddess of the Old Bones. The Old bones in this context are symbolist. The old bones symbolize the idea and circumstances we cling to, or precisely the things we cling to, but we must finally let lie. In case of an experience of death, darkness, depression or an experience of spiritual emptiness in our souls, we get back to Baba Yaga, and she washes we life into us. Baba Yaga collects our bones, pours water on them, and chants cause on our rebirth. Baba Yaga destroys and resurrects. Baba Yaga in this course symbolizes the death of ignorance. Baba Yaga forces us to see our true, our darkest selves, and then Baba Yaga grants us wisdom and knowledge that is attainable through the acceptance of the dark shadows in our lives, within ourselves.
Finally, Baba Yaga's dwelling place is als...