The functions of folklore and mythological images in the wreath of sonnets “Golden hoop” by K. Balmont

The purpose of the article is to consider the functioning of folklore and mythological images in the cycle of poems by Balmont “The Golden Hoop”, which is part of the book “My her” (1923). The article identifies three categories of folklore and mythological images these are images of precious stones and metals, plant images and images of folk life (attributes of calendar and ritual folklore). The scientific novelty of the research is determined by try, which refers to the genre form of the sonnet, which includes folklore and mythofocusing attention on what semantic possibilities open up for poetr logical images. This is, first of all, an opportunity to share with the reader his view on the cyclical nature of existence, to restore the myths of folk life, filigreously combining them with the personal experiences of the lyrical hero. The results of the study showed that the genre form of the sonnet was chosen by the poet for a reason it allows you to combine bizarrely images of natural life, designed to reflect the depth of human ideas about life and death, to reproduce the world as a combination of the material and immaterial, everyday and existential. The wreath of sonnets harmoniously combines images of calendar and ritual poetry, references and allusions to biblical subjects and images. Showing Christian humility before the Lord, the lyrical hero of Balmont sees the truth in the way of life of an ancient Slav who knew the magical power of precious metals, stones, trees, herbs, perceived the gifts of nature and the earth as a real treasure, the treasury of the people, and followed the rhythm of folk life (folk calendar, holidays, folk life).