Sleep paralysis: at intersection of biology and folklore
RUDN Journal of Studies in Literature and Journalism October 13, 2022 DOI: 10.22363/2312-9220-2022-27-3-514-522 (opens in new tab) via DOAJ
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractSleep paralysis is examined through both biological and folk-cultural lenses. The concept's key components, including the interplay between biological and cultural factors, are outlined. The work describes possible interpretations of sleep paralysis, mythological figures tied to it in global folklore, and the folklore genres that reflect it. Examples of narratives about sleep paralysis are provided, both within and outside cultural traditions where such mythological characters are known, as well as an instance of these characters appearing in non-mythological folklore genres.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Sleep paralysis Zmora Folk demonology Mythological text Night-mare |
| Key finding | Argues that sleep paralysis is understood through both biological mechanisms and cultural interpretations, with mythological characters associated with it appearing across diverse folklore traditions. |
Abstract
The author examines the concept of “sleep paralysis” from the point of view of biology and folk culture. The key components of this concept, highlighted by various authors, touches on the main problems related to this concept, including the relationship between biological and cultural in the context of sleep paralysis, are presented. In addition, the work describes possible interpretations of sleep paralysis, mythological characters associated with it in the folklore of different peoples of the world, and folklore genres in which it is reflected. Moreover, the article contains examples of narratives about cases of sleep paralysis in folklore; outside the cultural tradition, where mythological characters associated with sleep paralysis are known; as well as an example of the appearance of mythological characters connected with manifestations of sleep paralysis not in a mythological text, but in other folklore genres.