Jaroslavna, Voice of the Russian Earth. A Contribution to the Interpretation of the Igor Tale

Abstract

Several attempts have been made to read the Igor Tale as a symbolic text. The main focus of these has been the “solar nature” of the male hero. This article, however, zooms in on the symbolic role of Iaroslavna. A meticulous analysis of her magical lament clearly shows Igor's wife to be a character that also gives voice to the Russian Earth. The article further demonstrates the relationship that exists between the “Plach” and the enigmatic end of the Slovo: Igor's visit to the Church of the Holy Mother on the Borichev. Given the knowledge that this site used to be the centre of the pagan cult of Rod and Zemlia, the author ventures to conclude that Iaroslavna and the Mother of God Pirogoshchaia constitute two aspects of the semi-pagan and semi-Christian cult of Mat' Syra Zemlia.