THE IMAGE OF HEAVENLY BODIES IN THE WORKS OF TARAS SHEVCHENKO
Authors:   Polissia National University, Zhytomyr, Ukraine, Plechko Antonina 
Published: February 2025

B a c k g r o u n d . The article presents the author's view on the symbolism of images of Heavenly bodies in the work of Taras Shevchenko, summarizes the materials of previous studies on the image of nature in Shevchenko's work. Natural landscapes in the poems of T. Shevchenko were studied by many scientists: M. Sumtsov, V. Gorodecka, L. Zadorozhna, A. Kalynchuk, V. Kononenko, etc. The relevance of our research is due to the fact that the theme of the symbols of the Sun, Moon and Stars in Shevchenko's poems has not yet been sufficiently revealed.
M e t h o d s . The research process uses the method of continuous sampling (search for phrases from the poems of T. Shevchenko), the method of analysis (critical analysis of specific poems and definition of the research concept); the method of systematic description, which consists of such techniques as comparison, generalization, systematization, classification of the analyzed material and interpretation.
R e s u l t s . In the poems of "Kobzar", the image of the Sun is most often found – 127 times. The lexeme Moon in "Kobzar" occurs 27 times, "misiachen'ko" (the small moon) – 1 time, the lexeme "Zorya" (Star) in the case paradigm is fixed 30 times, "zironka" (the little star) – 6 times, "zirnytsa" (the little star, another name) – 3 times and 1 time – the lexeme "stars". In Shevchenko's Kobzar, the image of the Sun is present in 36 verses. In some poems, the image of the sun is repeated: in the poem "Gaidamaky"– 14 times, "Kateryna" – 11 times, "For the Eternal Memory of Kotlyarevsky" – 6 times, in the poem "Maria" – 5 times. From the analysis of Shevchenko's poems, we state that the Sun is a personified celestial body that acts as a symbol of truth, warmth, holiness, light and radiance, as well as negative energy that burns everything and brings death. The second place in terms of frequency of use in Shevchenko's works is occupied by the image of Star. This image is found in 25 poems, in the poems "Gaydamaky" and "Princess" the image of Star is mentioned 6 times each, in the poem "Slave" – 4 times, "Neophytes" – 3 times. In Shevchenko's works, the Іtar is an animate celestial body that acts as a symbol of radiance, guiding light, movement, joy, is the interlocutor of a lonely person, the sister of the moon, the star is a girl's eyes. The moon in Shevchenko's works is found in 12 poems, in particular in the poem "Gaydamaky" – 6 times, in the poem "The Bewitched" ("Prychynna") the image of Night Light is fixed 4 times, in the poem "Dream" – 3 times. In Shevchenko's poems, The Moon is a personified celestial body that is a silent witness to evening and night events, a source of light and radiance, a condition for divination, a symbol of movement and dynamic actions.
C o n c l u s i o n s . After analyzing the images of the Heavenly Bodies in the poems of "Kobzar", we can draw the following conclusions: names in appeals to the Heavenly Bodies in Shevchenko's poems indicate their special reverence (My little Moon!/ Our little pigeon! My little Saint Star! The Holy Sun has risen). The sun, stars and Moon in Shevchenko's works are united by a symbol of spirituality, light and radiance, mostly positive images. In Shevchenko, the sun is also a symbol of negative energy, which burns everything and brings death.