Image of a snake in Karelian folk medicine

Introduction. The article considers the use of animal products in Karelian folk medicine in the XIX – early XX centuries. Special attention is paid to the functions of a snake in the medical practice of Karelians in comparison with Veps, Finns and Russians. The author refers to a comprehensive analysis of the functioning of snakes in the ethnomedicine of the Karelians, which includes conservation magic, and the methods of treating diseases. The relevance of the study is defined by the need to study the functioning of representatives of the fauna world in various rites of life cycle, folk medicine of one of the indigenous small peoples of the Republic of Karelia – Karelians. Previously such studies have not been carried out on Karelian material, which determines its novelty. Materials and Methods. The material for the study was animal products (on the example of snakes) used in Karelian folk medicine, examined using comparative historical and comparative methods. Results and Discussion. The author focuses on the use of means of animal origin in folk medicine of the Karelians, the functioning of the snake in medical rites, mythological ideas about snakes. For comparative analysis, information is attracted on the use of snakes as a means of animal origin in the ethnomedicine of Veps, Finns and Russians, the peoples that the Karelians have a close connection with and mutual influence both in cultural and linguistic aspects. Conclusion. Animal products took a significant place in Karelian folk medicine. In the study, this was first traced on the example of a snake, which functions are contradictory. On the one hand, parts of the snake were used by healers as amulets, and “assistants” in magical rituals, on the other hand, it was seen as the embodiment of evil and the cause of disease. A comparative study showed that snakes took an important part as a means of animal origin not only in folk medicine of Karelians, but also of Veps, Finns, as well as Russians.