Swan symbolism in wedding rituals

Many researchers have studied the symbolism of the swan and the connections between wedding and funeral rituals in Russian wedding lamentations. However, understanding the genesis and development of this genre requires a broader perspective that extends beyond a narrow national framework. This paper suggests that there may be deeper covert meanings linked to Karelian culture. The aim of the study was to investigate why the bride is portrayed as a swan in wedding lamentations. The research is novel because previous studies have primarily focused on descriptive accounts and have been valuable mainly for the systematization of material. In contrast, this article delves into the interactions with Karelian culture and uncovers the essence of the Russian wedding ceremony.