Animal tricksters in native North American myths

The article deals with animal characters of Native American myths, representing the trickster archetype: Coyote, Raven, Rabbit and spider Iktomi. We have analyzed their cultural functions and their essential positive and negative features: possession of creative power, ability to transform, mediation, use of a trick, intemperance, cruelty. These features are characteristic of all the characters, besides positive traits are manifested by Coyote, Crow and Rabbit, Iktomi is more prone to negative ones. The most “innocent” character is Rabbit, Raven is the most powerful, Coyote is more revengeful, intemperate and unconscious, Iktomi is extremely revengeful and cruel. The features characteristic for the trickster help him to perform reflective, interpretative and destructuring functions.