Folk belief, ritual and the East Slavic wondertale .
Water is undoubtedly one of the most ancient and universal of all symbols.
Its presence in most marvelous events in the East Slavic wondertale is related to the early Slavs' worship of water and the role it played in all rites and magic practices. Unlike Western Europe, the East Slavic lands were marked by the existence of dual faith which left a deep imprint on the cultural scene of the people. Pagan worship existed alongside Christian beliefs and its endurance accounts for the prominent role of the natural elements in the East Slavic religious mind. In investigating water images in the East Slavic wondertale and water's connection with the marvelous, this thesis offers a better understanding of how primitive belief found its reflection in folklore. Chapter One outlines the main trends in the study of the East Slavic folktale.