J. V. Karakin, T. V. Pashkova. Red color in the linguo- and ethnoculture of the Karelians

Introduction. In the proposed article, the authors delve into the meaning and symbolism of the color red in the linguistic worldview and ethnoculture of the Karelians. The focus is on lexemes that denote the color red. The authors also explore the linguistic color palette, including the linguistic symbolism of fire, blood, and descriptions of a person’s appearance. The relevance of the study is underscored by the need to examine various aspects of the language and culture of the Karelians, who are considered indigenous peoples facing the threat of extinction.
Materials and Methods. The material for the study was Karelian language dictionaries, samples of Karelian speech and folklore sources. Comparative-comparative, comparative-historical and ethnolinguistic research methods were used.
Results and Discussion. The collected and analyzed material has shown that the Karelians attributed significant importance to the color red. It was endowed with apotropaic properties and served as a talisman. In the linguo-cultural context, the naming of the color red is reflected in the formation of the Karelian linguistic worldview when denoting blood, human appearance, illnesses, and more. The practical significance of this research lies in the potential utilization of the presented material in courses on lexicology, the Karelian language, as well as in the teaching of regional studies and ethnography. The theoretical significance is defined by the fact that the obtained data can lay the foundation for further exploration of color symbolism, color codes, and related topics in the linguistic and ethnocultural worldview of the Karelians.
Conclusion. The collected and analyzed material has demonstrated that the color red held a distinct significance in the language and culture of all Karelian groups. This tendency is also observed among other Baltic-Finnic peoples, particularly the Veps and Finns.

Keywords: Karelians, Karelian language, red color, linguistic worldview, ethnoculture

For citation: Karakin JV, Pashkova TV. Red color in the linguo- and ethnoculture of the Karelians. Finno-ugorskii mir = Finno-Ugric World. 2023;15;3:334–342. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.15507/2076-2577.015.2023.03.334-342.