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Iberian seventh-born children, werewolves and the dragon slayer: A case study in the comparative Interpretation of symbolic praxis and fairytales

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Resumo:This article examines an obscure custom found in Iberian ethnography: that of having one’s eldest children serve as godparents for their own youngest siblings, starting with the seventh. The paper’s main working hypothesis is that this custom is to be understood in the context of underlying conceptions that fairytales convey in a symbolical guise. The argument highlights the relationship of examined notions with the "Dragon Slayer" theme, to bring out stable themata concerning ontological complexity and metamorphosis, in the light of which the Iberian custom is interpreted.
Autores principais:Silva, Francisco Vaz da
Assunto:Werewolves Seventh children Dragons Folclore -- Folklore Compadrazco Contos de fadas -- Fairy tales
Ano:2003
País:Portugal
Tipo de documento:artigo
Tipo de acesso:acesso aberto
Instituição associada:ISCTE
Idioma:inglês
Origem:Repositório ISCTE
Descrição
Resumo:This article examines an obscure custom found in Iberian ethnography: that of having one’s eldest children serve as godparents for their own youngest siblings, starting with the seventh. The paper’s main working hypothesis is that this custom is to be understood in the context of underlying conceptions that fairytales convey in a symbolical guise. The argument highlights the relationship of examined notions with the "Dragon Slayer" theme, to bring out stable themata concerning ontological complexity and metamorphosis, in the light of which the Iberian custom is interpreted.