Ceremonial Folklore of Mongolic Peoples: Functions of the Snake Revisited

In the ritual folklore of Mongolic peoples, the snake is a sacred character with positive connotations, serving as an assistant, intermediary, carrier, and envoy between worlds. Closely associated with the shaman, the snake appears in cave drawings, petroglyphs, shamanic ongons, and costumes, emphasizing its sacred function. It can be used as a protective element, such as a walking-stick or whip. Symbolically, snake-shaped straps imply magical abilities. The snake's role as a mediator between worlds allows it to perform protective functions, and its main function is that of a carrier between worlds, related to its transforming abilities.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Introduction. In mythologies of the world, the image of the snake ranks among the most studied characters and has various interpretations. In folklore of Turko-Mongols, it has also been a subject of multiple analyses. Still, the article makes a first attempt at revealing the image of the snake as a taboo sacred character in ritual folklore of the Mongolic peoples. Goals. The paper primarily seeks to identify functions of the snake therein, delineate the symbolic framework, reveal positive and negative connotations. Materials and Methods. The main research method employed is that of comparative analysis instrumental in examining the image of the snake as a semiotic sign. Interdisciplinary analysis of ethnographic and folklore materials, as well as comparisons to Turkic ritual actions, expand the boundaries of identifying the semantics of the image. Results. The snake in shamanic mythology of the Mongolic peoples appears in the hypostasis of the otherworldly Spirit closely associated with the shaman. Images of snakes in cave drawings, petroglyphs, shamanic ongons (sanctuaries), and costumes emphasize their sacred function. In shamanic practice, a snake image can be used as a protective element in the form of a walking-stick or whip. Symbolically, a snake in the form of straps implies a connotation of the animal’s magical abilities. The role of a mediator between worlds allows the snake simultaneously performing the function of a protective force. Functions of the snake in rites are interchangeable and complement each other. Shamanic texts of the Mongolic peoples consistently mention the main function of the snake is that of a carrier between worlds, which is closely related to its transforming abilities. Conclusions. The study resumes the snake in shamanic ritual actions of the Mongolic peoples — with positive connotations — functions as an assistant, intermediary, carrier, and envoy from another world that provides communication between realms. It also reveals patterns of transcoding the snake image in different semiotic systems, interconnectedness and interchangeability of sacral reptile functions.