Judas Tree in Various Cultural and Linguistic Traditions of Europe:  Word and Image

The research subject is the phytonym «Judas tree» (less common «Jewish/ zhidovskytree») in European languages, mainlyGermanic and Slavic, as well as beliefs, folklore and literary texts, etc., that reflect the image of the tree on which Judas hanged himself. The research is mostly focused on phytonominations, in which information is stored in the most sustained form: Germ. Judasbarke ‘weeping birch’, Slovak judášovе ucho ‘elder mushroom’, Rus. иудинависелица‘aspen’, etc. The considered phytosymbols are a redbud, elder, aspen, poplar, willow (pussy-willow, birch), rowan, fig tree, tamarisk, terebinth. The typological similarities and differences in motivations of the phytosymbol «Judas tree»// «Tree of Judea» in various cultural and linguistic traditions are traced. The symbol structural features and the influence of the ethnic group religious and historical foundations on the formation of the plant linguocultural image are revealed. For instance, a feature of red/ ginger color of the foliage, bark, bloom of such phytosymbols as the rowan, aspen, terebinth is projected on the color of blood, shame of transgression, Judas' / Jews' hair; the color and form of the redbud leaves and seeds are associated with the pieces of silver-coins paid for the treason of Jesus, etc. The article reveals the major factors of the «Judas tree» image formation and dissemination in European linguocultural traditions.

Keywords

ethnolinguistics, folk botany, phytonym, motivation, xenomotivation, linguocultural tradition, Bible, folklore.

Acknowledgment

The research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (grant project No. 23-18-00439 Onomasticon and Linguocultural History of European Russia)

Received

02.10.2023

Publication date

10.04.2024

Number of characters

58240

Cite

GOST	Berezovich E., Shlyaсhter N. «Judas Tree» in Various Cultural and Linguistic Traditions of Europe: Word and Image // Slavianovedenie – 2023. – Issue 5 C. 56-77 [Electronic resource]. URL: https://slav.jes.su/S0869544X0027865-4-1 (circulation date: 18.05.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S0869544X0027865-4
MLA	Berezovich, Elena L, Shlyaсhter, Natalia "«Judas Tree» in Various Cultural and Linguistic Traditions of Europe: Word and Image." Slavianovedenie 5 (2023):56-77. DOI: 10.31857/S0869544X0027865-4
APA	Berezovich E., Shlyaсhter N. (2023). «Judas Tree» in Various Cultural and Linguistic Traditions of Europe: Word and Image. Slavianovedenie (5), pp.56-77 DOI: 10.31857/S0869544X0027865-4

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