American Journal Of Philological Sciences
116
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajps
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue07 2025
PAGE NO.
116-118
10.37547/ajps/Volume05Issue07-30
Differences Between Oriental and Occidental Foklore
Texts in Terms of Using Zoonyms
Khaydarova Dilnoza Bahromjonovna
Scientific Research, Innovations and Training of Scientific and Pedagogical Personnel of Kokand State University, Uzbekistan
Received:
31 May 2025;
Accepted:
29 June 2025;
Published:
31 July 2025
Abstract:
Zoonymy, the practice of naming and attributing symbolic meanings to animals, has been a vital aspect
of human culture for millennia. In folklore texts, zoonyms, which mean animal names, play a multifaceted role,
emdiving moral lessons, cultural values, and mythical archetypes. These names are more than mere identifiers;
they often symbolize traits, convey allegories, and connect human experiences with the natural world. This article
explores how zoonyms are employed in folklore texts and their cultural, symbolic, and literary significance and
compares differences between eastern and western foklore texts in terms of using zoonyms.
Keywords
:
Zoonym, cultural values, sybols, linguistics, folklore, oriental folklore,metaphors, zoonymic
symbolism
.
Introduction:
Zoonymy in folklore texts serves as a
bridge between the human and natural worlds,
imbuing stories with cultural, moral, and symbolic
depth. Through the use of animal names, these texts
encapsulate universal truths while reflecting the
unique values of individual cultures. As a literary
device, zoonymy not only enriches the narrative but
also ensures its enduring relevance in both traditional
and
modern
contexts.
Claude
Lévi-
Strauss’s
structuralist approach in Mythologiques examines how
animal symbols function in myths and storytelling to
resolve cultural oppositions (e.g., nature vs. culture, life
vs. death).
2. Linguistic Approaches
Etymology and Semantics: Linguists analyze the origins
and evolution of animal names in folklore, revealing
how they encode cultural knowledge.
Cross-Language Comparisons: Researchers compare
the zoonymic lexicon in different languages to identify
common archetypes and cultural nuances. For
example, the fox as a symbol of cunning appears in
diverse linguistic traditions, but with nuanced
connotations depending on the region.
3. Cultural Studies and Mythology
Comparative Mythology: Scholars like Joseph Campbell
and Mircea Eliade examine the recurrence of specific
zoonyms in global mythologies and their archetypal
roles in folklore.
Symbolic Functions: Scholars like Roland Barthes
explore the semiotic systems of animal names in
folklore. Zoonymic symbolism is analyzed as part of
larger cultural sign systems that encode moral lessons
or spiritual beliefs.
Key Researchers and Works
Claude Lévi-Strauss: Analysis of myths and animal
symbolism in structural anthropology.
Joseph Campbell: Archetypes in global mythology and
their recurring motifs
METHOD
The use of zoonyms (animal names) in Eastern and
Western folklore reflects distinct cultural worldviews,
spiritual beliefs, and symbolic frameworks. Below is a
comparative analysis of how zoonyms are utilized in
these two cultural spheres:
1. Symbolic Representations
Eastern Folklore:
Animals often emdiv spiritual and cosmic elements,
representing harmony, balance, and transformation.
For instance:
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
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American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
The dragon in Chinese folklore is a revered symbol of
power, wisdom, and good fortune, associated with
emperors and cosmic forces.
The crane represents longevity and immortality in
Japanese and Korean folklore.
The tiger, seen in Chinese and Indian traditions,
symbolizes strength, courage, and protection against
evil spirits.
Eastern zoonyms often carry auspicious or spiritual
meanings rooted in Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu
philosophies.
Western Folklore:
Animals frequently symbolize moral qualities, human
vices, or virtues, often used to teach lessons.
For instance:
The lion is a universal emblem of bravery and royalty in
European tales (e.g., the "lionheart").
The fox often represents cunning and deceit in
Aesop\u2019s fables and medieval allegories.
The wolf, commonly seen in European tales like "Little
Red Riding Hood," is a symbol of danger or predation,
often portrayed as a villain.
2. Religious and Mythological Contexts
Eastern Folklore:
Animals are often sacred or divine beings linked to
religious traditions:
In Hinduism, the cow is venerated as a sacred animal
and symbol of abundance.
The monkey, as seen in the Ramayana (Hanuman) and
Journey to the West (Sun Wukong), is a heroic figure
with supernatural powers.
The snake in Indian mythology is both revered (as a
protector in Naga lore) and feared (as a symbol of
divine retribution).
Eastern folklore frequently merges animals with
mythological entities (e.g., naga, qilin) to convey a
fusion of human and cosmic concerns.
Western Folklore:
Animals are often depicted as earthly beings
representing moral or religious allegories.
The snake in Christian tradition is a symbol of
temptation and evil (e.g., the serpent in the Garden of
Eden).
The dove symbolizes peace and divine grace in biblical
stories.
The unicorn, while mythical, is linked to purity and
chastity in medieval European folklore, often used in
Christian iconography.
Unlike Eastern traditions, animals are less commonly
deified in Western folklore.
3. Interaction with Nature
Eastern Folklore:
Eastern texts often emphasize coexistence and
harmony with nature, portraying animals as integral to
the natural and spiritual order.
The koi fish in Chinese and Japanese folklore
symbolizes perseverance and strength, reflecting the
natural cycle of life.
Folklore frequently highlights the interconnectedness
of humans and animals, with animals aiding humans in
achieving enlightenment or spiritual goals.
Folktales such as The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter or The
Story of the White Snake depict animals as wise,
magical beings capable of deep relationships with
humans.
Western Folklore:
Western stories often depict animals as adversaries,
resources, or allegorical tools for human-centered
narratives.
Animals like wolves and bears are frequently cast as
antagonists or threats (e.g., "Goldilocks and the Three
Bears," "The Boy Who Cried Wolf").
While some tales show friendship between humans
and animals (e.g., The Bremen Town Musicians), the
focus often remains on human dominance over nature.
The portrayal of animals is more pragmatic and
moralistic, reflecting historical interactions where
humans sought to tame or control the natural world.
4. Character Roles
Eastern Folklore:
Animals often serve as spiritual guides, protectors, or
embodiments of wisdom:
In Journey to the West, the monkey king Sun Wukong
is both a trickster and a hero with divine attributes.
Tengu (bird-like creatures) in Japanese folklore are
often guardians of forests and mountains.
Eastern folklore frequently features shape-shifting
animals (e.g., fox spirits like the kitsune in Japan and
huli jing in China), emphasizing fluid boundaries
between animal and human realms.
Western Folklore:
Animals often appear as moral exemplars or
adversaries:
Aesop\u2019s fables use animals like the fox, tortoise,
and hare to teach ethical lessons, where their roles are
fixed and symbolic.
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
118
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American Journal Of Philological Sciences (ISSN
–
2771-2273)
Predatory animals like wolves and serpents often serve
as cautionary figures, warning against danger and
moral failing.
Western folklore rarely features animals with
transformative or magical qualities, maintaining a clear
boundary between human and animal realms.
5. Narrative Functions
Eastern Folklore:
Zoonyms often advance narratives of balance,
transformation, and spiritual growth.
For example, the carp transforming into a dragon in
Chinese folklore symbolizes perseverance leading to
great achievement.
Many tales use animal names to underline cyclical and
harmonious life themes, as in the Chinese zodiac,
where each animal represents specific traits and years.
Animals are depicted as multidimensional characters,
often blending moral and spiritual qualities.
Western Folklore:
Zoonyms often serve as straightforward moral tools,
with animals depicted as emdiving a single dominant
trait.
Stories like The Ant and the Grasshopper or The
Tortoise and the Hare emphasize binary oppositions,
such as diligence vs. laziness or speed vs. patience.
Animals are often used as tools to deliver a clear,
didactic message rather than exploring complex
relationships with humans or nature.
CONCLUSION
The primary differences in the use of zoonyms between
Eastern and Western folklore reflect their broader
cultural and philosophical perspectives. Eastern
traditions often emphasize interconnectedness,
spirituality, and the fluidity between human and animal
worlds, while Western folklore tends to focus on moral
lessons, human dominance, and clear distinctions
between species. These differences provide rich
insights into the unique ways societies perceive and
narrate their relationships with the animal world.
Future directions are given below
Intersection with Environmental Studies: Exploring
how modern ecological challenges influence zoonymic
representations in folklore.
AI and Folklore: Using artificial intelligence to analyze
zoonymic patterns in large datasets of global folklore
texts.
Cultural Preservation: Documenting endangered oral
traditions involving zoonyms to preserve cultural
heritage.
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