Signs of colour symbolism in traditional Altaian culture

Abstract

The study of the symbolism of traditional culture categories, including the symbolism of colour in folklore studies and toponymic names becomes very relevant due to the revival of many aspects of spiritual culture. Nowadays the symbolism of colour becomes important in the life of a modern person. It accumulates deep meanings. The extent of research done on the topic: In the Altaian folkloristics colour epithets were studied in detail in the research of M. A. Demchinova, V. P. Oinoshev, S. P. Tyukhteneva and others. Up to the present time colour symbolism in the traditional culture of the Altaian people has not been the object of special research. The aim of the study is to highlight some aspects of colour symbolism in folklore art and toponymy of the Altai Mountains. Theoretical comprehension of colour symbolism as a special category in Altaian folklore studies is based on the functional method and has been applied in the researches by S.S. Surazakov, S.P. Tyukhteneva and M.A. Demchinova. The genre symbolism of Altaian folklore seemed to be considered in those researches. The present study includes the usage of a complex of comparative and historical research methods. Being a characteristic and actively used component for a number of ethnonyms, toponyms, hydronyms and to designate religious names colour has a great semantic load in the traditions of Altaians. For example, many Altaian clans (seoki) are divided into smaller units and colours such as white, black and yellow are actively used to name them: ak (white) kobok [kœbœk], karа (black) kobok [kœbœk], kara todosh (black todosh), sary todosh (yellow todosh). There is also a large number of hydronyms and toponyms associated with black, white, yellow, blue and other colours: KaraArka, Sary-Chet, Karakol, Akkem, Karasuu etc. O.P. Molchanova, a researcher of the toponymy of the Altai Mountains, writes about the great importance of some adjectives that indicate colour in the construction of geographical names. The use of colour epithets in folklore works creates a colorful image. The sharply contrasting colours show the opposition of good and evil. There is a hierarchy of colours in traditional culture. Red colour shows the colorfulness of the object being described, also symbolizes health, wealth, a world of prosperity. Grey is typical for poor people, and it has semantics of unhealthiness. There are names with the formant “kan” in the toponymy of Altai. It turns out that the formant “kan” is added to the names of especially revered natural objects. The author of the article suggests that the word “kan” (in the meaning of “blood”) is present in the names of especially revered objects. Research perspectives: The results of the research of colour symbolism in folklore and toponymy of the Altai Mountains can be applied for further study of the characterization of artistic images in literature, folklore and ethnography. The topic requires further research.