Publication details
Variationen von Blumen und Früchten in magischen Märchen Typ 408 ATU (Drei Zitronen) in ganz Europa
| Title in English | Flower and Fruit Variation in Magical Fairy Tales Type 408 ATU (Three Lemons) across Europe |
|---|---|
| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2023 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | What do the Norwegian fairy tale Tre sitroner, the Catalan fairy tale Las tres taronjas del amor, the Italian fairy tale L'amore delle tre melagrane or the Maltese fairy tale Is-Seba' Trongiet Mewwija have in common? In all these cases the fairy tale story is quite similar, but the plants that play the main role differ. In each geographical location, the reader may encounter a plethora of flowers, probably based on local climatic conditions and traditions. Magic stories of the 408 ATU type are among the well-known and widespread stories. The story of this type of fairy tale can be very varied and we encounter this type of fairy tale across Europe, with a few also found in South America and the Arabic-speaking world. On closer analysis, one can examine the variation in the plants and their fruits that appear in these tales: the most commonly discussed are various types of citrus plants, especially lemons and oranges, but also tangerines and pomelos. In other versions one can find magic apples, pears or pomegranates. In some versions, the protagonist of the story - a mysterious beautiful girl - undergoes a series of transformations after being freed from the fruit and regains her human body. This transformation may be gradual and the girl changes several times, or the girl may turn from a fruit into a virgin and then into a dove. Some scholars see symbolism in different types of plants that is traditionally associated with local culture, e.g. the generative function of the apple, the light hair being likened to the colour of the rind of a lemon, etc. This cycle of transformation also appears in Iranian stories, where these features of transformation may refer to the Iranian deity of vegetation. To what extent, then, can culture, literature and symbolism be linked to a particular type of plant or fruit and its signifying properties? How central a role can a flower play in a fairy tale? |