The Meeting a Wood-Nymph’s Wedding Motif in Oral Folklore Tradition

This paper examines one of the most widespread folklore motifs featuring woodnymphs as characters. In determining the characteristics of the motif, the peculiarities of oral story-telling as part of Bulgarian non-fairy-tale folklore prose are considered. By analysing the motif’s variations, the functions of the characters and their inter-relations are revealed. The calendar period of appearance of this mythical character and its significance for the plot are specified. The thesis is ultimately confirmed that this type of folklore stories have functions of social regulation