Irish Banshee and Russian Rusalka: The Comb Motif — Its Meaning and Genesis
Tatyana Mikhailova
Moscow State University
Abstract
Banshee represents a specific figure of Irish folklore: it is a female spirit whose cry foretells death of a family relative or a neighbour. One may take it for granted that Banshee (Mod. Irish Bean Sí) represents a specific Irish folklore character and has no parallels in other narrative traditions. But if we look at the image of Banshee on the whole, we will find some features that could associate her with Russian Rusalkas as well as with other female characters of the European folklore tradition. The motif of combing the hair is encountered in beliefs and memorates concerning Banshee. The Slavonic Rusalkas also enjoy spending time combing their long hair with a comb (in every instance, it is made of a different kind of material). It can be golden, silver, wooden, made of horn, of fish skeleton and the fabulates point out its magic power. The motif of combing the hair by a supernatural female creature must be divided into two separate concepts. The first is the long hair of a female supernatural creature connected with danger. The second is the taboo of taking the magic comb as a dangerous object.
