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The Ethnology Notebooks. 2025. № 5 (185), 1126—1139

UDK[398.21:398.34:27-185](=1:100):930.2

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/

PROTECTIVE MAGIC OF THE EGG IN CUSTOMS AND RITES RELATED TO THE ROOF OF A BUILDING

RAKHNO Kostyantyn

  • ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0973-3919
  • Doctor of History, Associate Professor, 
  • Leading Researcher of the National Museum
  •  of Ukrainian Pottery in Opishne, 
  • 102, Vyacheslava Chornovola Street, 38164, Opishne, Ukraine,
  • Contacts: e-mail: krakhno@ukr.net

Abstract. The egg as an image or symbol of the integral structure of the world and man is found in many cosmogonic legends and legends about the creation of the Earth. Thus, the myths of different peoples and cultures describe the process of the birth of the world from an egg. At the same time, the egg is endowed with a certain symbolism, it is a symbol of integrity, the birth of life, rebirth, immortality, etc., which acts as a talisman. The purpose of the article is to explore the idea of the protective magic of the egg in the rites and customs associated with the roof of a building among different peoples of the world. The object of the study is ethnographically recorded examples of the use of the egg as a magical protection of the roof. The roof was conceived as a sacred part of the house, which protected its inhabitants and at the same time was a place of contact with supernatural forces. In turn, the egg was considered an inanimate object that hid life in itself, and with life — strength and health, which, according to the ideas of primitive people, could be transferred to other objects or beings. It was believed that the life force contained in them stimulates the growth of people, livestock and field crops, and also protects against witches, lessons, diseases and fire. The methodological basis of the study is a comparative-historical methodological toolkit.

The basis of the work are ethnographic materials concerning the perception of the egg as a roof mascot in traditional culture. The results of the research are that the egg was a sacred symbol in many religions, signifying the transition from non-existence to existence, birth and rebirth. It was actively used in various rites and rituals, including those that took place on the roof. Eggs, mainly consecrated for the spring holidays of the resurrection of nature, acted as a powerful talisman for the house and its roof, although they had an ambivalent nature. Some eggs, which were abnormally small in size, were considered threatening, and people tried to eliminate this threat, motivated by mythology. In the mythology of many ancient peoples, from Egypt to Oceania, the egg symbolized the secret of the creation of the world from the primordial chaos and the ideal microcosm. The egg itself, which arose either by itself or was laid in the ocean by a huge fantastic bird or snake, splitting, became the source of life on Earth, sometimes even giving birth to gods and the first people. Therefore, there was a belief that a household spirit or a completely dangerous mythological creature could be hatched from an egg.

Keywords: customs, beliefs, rituals, folk religiosity, roof, mythology, traditional culture.

Received 20.06.2025

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