Nature in Russian Folk Tales

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Currently, the problem of environmental education has become very acute. In the age of technology, there is not enough time to stop, look around, and observe the nature. The lack of communication with nature subsequently turns into immorality and disrespectful attitude towards all living world. The fairy tale in turn gives the opportunity to observe the life of the wild nature.

 The importance of considering the natural and geographical factors reflected in national folklore lies in the fact that they can have a considerable influence on the self-consciousness and ideology of the people. Nature has always occupied a large place in the life of ancient people, in contrast to modern. Here we will briefly analyze the value of nature in Russian folk tales.

In Russia there are different geographic zones, ranging from the arctic tundra in the extreme North to semi-desert in the south. These natural conditions determined the type of activity and the general way of life. 

What is the role of nature in Russian folk tales? The image of the forest occupies a significant place in Russian fairy tales. For a Russian person, forest has had a symbolic meaning, associated both with the hostility of nature and with human’s natural “home”. The forest appears in Russian folk tales, legends and epics. It is constantly present in the life of Russian fairy tale characters in different functions: as a measure of their strength, or as an empathizing fairy tale character. The forest satisfies the daily needs of the fairy tale characters and gives them firewood, mushrooms, berries and the opportunity to hunt various animals. The forest is present in fairy tales, regardless of regional differences. This circumstance is probably due to the fact that most of the territory of Russia is occupied by the forest or forest-steppe zone.


Illustration by I. Bilibin

The sea is presented in Russian fairy tales in a different way. Due to the remoteness of Russia from the sea coast, the sea did not have a noticeable effect on the life of the majority of the population of Russian lands. However, it still plays a significant role in Russian fairy tales. Geographical remoteness gives the fairy tale sea a more imaginative character. The sea can arise in a magical way as protection from the pursuer. However, in such a wealth of fiction, there is still a connection with real life, which is one of the features of a fairy tale.


 Illustration by I. Bilibin
It is worth noting how one of the most popular Russian fairy tale characters, Baba Yaga, is portrayed. Baba Yaga is always portrayed as a negative character towards the human world, she is a representative of the world of the dead, has magical powers and can enchant a person. She lures to her hut brave heroes and young children, ostensibly to eat them. She pursues her victims driving a stupa and sweeping the trail with a broom. However, at the same time she is a representative of the animal world, thus towards the animals she is a positive character. Living in the forest, she knows how to handle wild animals, even has helpers from the animal world. Black cats, crows, snakes and swans are helping Baba Yaga. She knows the language of animals and plants.
Illustration by I. Bilibin

Fairy tales are usually understood as historical sources pointing to certain social or historical events. For centuries, folklore served humans as a “encyclopedia of life”, handed down from generation to generation its wisdom, philosophy and ethics. We also believe that by pointing the beauty of the nature and the sources that it gives to the humans, fairy tales teach us to explore the world around us, to cultivate a sense of belonging to nature’s well-being, to think about the consequences of our actions in relation to the surrounding world and the responsibility for the preservation of its wealth and beauty.
Olga Skaistkalne

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