Publication Details
Abstract
This article analyzes the artistic and semantic functions of symbolic images and color symbolism in Uzbek folk tales, using the fairy tales “Uch O‘gayni Botirlar” and “Zumrad and Qimmat” as examples. The study examines the mythopoetic roots and semantic layers of object and color images found in the structure of the tales, as well as their role in shaping moral and spiritual values. In the tale “Zumrad and Qimmat,” the white chest is interpreted as a symbol of abundance, purity, and reward, while the black chest represents darkness, misfortune, and punishment. The image of the dragon is evaluated as a “liminal trial” and a “shadow archetype” rooted in archaic mythological concepts. In “Uch O‘gayni Botirlar” the presence of structural markers such as the dual opposition between light and dark forces, good and evil, and reward and punishment is identified. The results of the study emphasize that symbolic images and the color system in folk tales serve not only as artistic devices but also as integral components of national mentality and mythopoetic worldview.