Published Paper Details:

This article focuses on general overview of Slavic mythological belief system with special emphasis on popular mythological characters and their relevance in Russian literature and culture. Slavic mythology as the ancient Slavs' idea of the world around them is one of the components of Russian cultural heritage. Like all ancient people, Slavic people, who lived in the forests, tried to understand how the world works and to comprehend their place in it. Till present days Russian culture is full of beliefs based on ancient Slavic belief system of pre-Christian era, especially folk mysticism. Since childhood all Russians know folk tales about such Slavic mythological characters as Baba Yaga and Koschei Bessmertny. Every person of Estern Slavic origion is aware that water is abode of water spirits i.e. rusalki and vodyanoi and before entering a forest it is better to please a forest spirit Leshy. And all Slavic people are united by glorifying the initial ancient Slavic God Rod with the words Slava Rodu! The features of Slavic mythology are reflected not only in public life and traditional beliefs, but also in literature. Mythological subjects and images occupy a significant place not only in the oral folk tradition, but also in the works of Russian writers and poets at different historical stages of the development of literature. This article is the analysis of the origin of Russian traditional beliefs with the empasis on Slavic mythological characters and their relevance in Russian literature, culture and festivals.The author uses such research methods as theoretical analysis of academic literature, linguistic and cultural analysis of Slavic mythology.