Alisa Danylevych
Candidate of historical sciences, assistant professor of the Department of Ethnology and Local History,
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv,
Kyiv, Ukraine
E-mail: danilevich_78@ukr.net
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002–7813–1209
DOI: 10.17721/2522-4611.2025.52.9
MOTHER ARCHETYPE IN UKRAINIAN FOLK SONGS
The aim of the article is to comprehensively study the symbolic image of the mother in Ukrainian folklore, taking into account its cultural, ethnological and social dimensions, as well as to find out how this traditional model influenced the formation of social expectations regarding the female role. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the semantics and symbolic content of the female image, which has been preserved in oral folk art for centuries and served as a spiritual guide for the community. The methodological basis of the study is the comparative-historical method, which allowed us to trace the continuity of the image of the mother in different historical periods; the structural-semiotic approach, which helped to reveal the deep meanings and cultural codes embedded in folklore texts; as well as ethnological analysis, thanks to which it was possible to interpret the female symbol in the context of traditional Ukrainian culture and modern social ideas. In the process of the study, it was established that the image of the mother is one of the most stable and at the same time multi-valued in traditional culture. It personifies love, care, self-sacrifice and moral strength, which determined the life guidelines of Ukrainian society. The main semantic dominants of this mental code have been identified: maternal care as a symbol of spiritual support, sacrifice for the sake of family and kindred as the basis of a moral ideal, as well as the role of the mother as the keeper of traditions and national values. An analysis of the functioning of this image in various genre groups of Ukrainian folk songs and proverbs has shown that it performed not only an emotional and aesthetic, but also a socializing function, forming ideas about female behavior, moral norms and values of family life. The connection between the traditional symbol of the mother and modern ideas about motherhood and the role of women in society has been outlined. It has been proven that this image remains relevant in modern conditions, acquiring new interpretations, but remaining the basis for the formation of a positive idea of a woman as a spiritual and moral support of the community. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of applying its results in ethnological, cultural and historical studies, in teaching courses on the history of culture, ethnology and folklore, as well as in the development of educational programs and socio-cultural projects aimed at preserving and popularizing Ukrainian traditions. The conclusions obtained can be integrated into ethnological research, in particular in the aspect of studying gender roles in traditional and modern culture. The results also have practical significance for the formation of a discourse on the role of women in society and the upbringing of national identity.
Key words: Ukrainian folklore, folk songs, proverbs and sayings, culturological dimension, philosophical interpretation, women's role in society, motherhood, semantic dominants, traditional values.
Received 29.08.2025.
Revised 16.09.2025.
Accepted 19.09.2025.
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