The Hungarian folk tale is an important part of Hungarian culture that has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries. The tales contain moral and entertainment elements and often combine the supernatural and the everyday world.
Once upon a time, across the Peruvian Sea, over the glass mountains, there was a poor woman. She had a son. He would have guarded a piglet if he had guarded it, for he did nothing but harm everywhere...
Not far from Torda, near the waters of the Golden River, there is a mountain called Tóder. At the top of this mountain there was once a big, shiny castle called Fairy Castle, but today you can only see its ruins...
Once upon a time, in the past, in the present, in the past, in the past, in the past, in the past, in the past, in the past, in the past, in the past, in the past, in the past, in the past...
There was once a poor lad. This poor lad was married to a rich girl, but he took little pleasure in his riches, for she always made him vomit that he had everything, down to the last penny...
Once upon a time, across seven hundred and seventeen countries, even across the Peruvian Sea, there was a king and his son. When this prince grew to be a great old man, he said to his father...
Once upon a time, across seven and seven countries, there was a magpie and his six sons. This magpie wanted to have his sons baptized, but he couldn't find a priest to baptize them...
Once upon a time, across seven countries, even across the Peruvian Sea, there was a poor lad, Peter the Strong...
When the world was created, animals were on great friendly terms, not chasing each other as they do now. The dog was particularly friendly with the rabbit...
Once upon a time, across seventeen countries, even beyond the glass mountains, where the little pig with the short tail is prowling, there was a canary child...
Once upon a time, across seventeen countries, even across the Peruvian Sea, there was a king. This king fell so ill that no matter how many miracle doctors were summoned from all over the world, none could cure him...
Once upon a time, in a land far beyond seven and seven countries, there was a king and his beautiful and fair daughter. The princes and princesses gave each other the door handle, and it was the turn of the princess to choose a husband...
Once upon a time, there was a poor man and his twelve sons, in the seventeenth and seventeenth world. The poor man went out into the forest to cut wood, and as he was cutting the wood, a great snake came out of the bush...
The characteristics of Hungarian folk tales include the transmission of personal experiences, the close contact with nature and the use of the Hungarian language.
We use the term Hungarian folktale to refer to those tales that are based on Hungarian folk traditions and spread by word of mouth. These tales have changed many times in the course of history, but their basis has always been Hungarian culture.
In Hungarian folk tales people's life experiences play an important role. They often present situations that people face every day.
The difficulties of life and the problems of relationships between people are a regular feature of fairy tales, and fairy tales help people to better understand and solve these problems.
Another characteristic of Hungarian folk tales close contact with nature. Animals, plants and weather play an important role in fairy tales, and fairy tales often teach people how to live in harmony with nature.
In Hungarian folk tales the language specificities also appear. They often use puns, rhymes and double entendres to help keep the stories entertaining and to help people understand the stories better.
The Hungarian folk tale an important part of Hungarian culture and the Hungarian language within it. Fairy tales help people understand life's challenges and learn about human relationships, and bring people closer to nature.
Hungarian folk tales are an important part of Hungarian cultural heritage and have entertained and educated people for centuries.
In Hungarian folk tales we find many recurring motifs that are an integral part of Hungarian culture and the traditions of Hungarian folk tales. These motifs are unique and often inexplicable, yet appealing and comforting.
Let's take a look at some of the best-known recurring motifs!
Beyond the Perennial Sea is one of the most well-known motifs in Hungarian folk tales, and appears in almost every fairy tale. Its meaning is disputed.
Essentially refers to a very distant territory, beyond the boundaries of the ordinary world.
For the Hungarians, the Oceanic Sea could be the border with their world, and on the other side of the sea, the unknown and mysterious territories began.
All sorts of wonders and magic can happen in the Overseas Countries of the Peruvian Oceans, and these countries are often the subject of fairy tales.
The short-tailed pig is often mentioned in Hungarian folk tales and plays an important role in the stories. The importance of animals in fairy tales is hard to avoid, and the pig was a particularly important animal in Hungarian peasant culture, as pig meat was an important source of food.
The number seven is a frequent motif in Hungarian folk tales and is of great significance. Although it often brings evil to mind, it does not always symbolise it.
The number seven also plays an important role among magical numbers, and is considered to have special powers.
The number three is also a a recurrent motif in Hungarian folk tales.
Many fairy tales feature three brothers and sisters, whether they are a princess, a prince or a poor lad. Often the tale presents the protagonist with three tests.
In Hungarian folk tales in general the youngest brother is the most beautiful or the luckiest. Although we can usually predict the outcome of such situations, fairy tales always have exciting twists and turns.
The witch in Hungarian folk tales one of the evil characters. Witches are also part of the traditional folk spiritual world, and in fairy tales often appear in ghostly or frightening ways.
Witches have special magical powers that play an important role in fairy tales.
In fairy tales, the golden apple is usually a magical fruit that can give you wisdom or even eternal life.
But we often meet with a hen laying a golden eggthat brings wealth to poor people. It also appears in the golden-haired animal also, mostly in the form of sheep.
In Hungarian folk tales it is often the case that the hero accidentally finds objects or people in his waywho help him on his adventure.
These accidental helpers are often the ones in the tales of the lead to key turning points, and help the hero through the difficulties.
The power of magic is almost always present in Hungarian folk tales, and in fairy tales magic helps the hero to cope with opponents or difficulties.
Spells are usually unique and special, and help to capture and display the fantastical elements in fairy tales.
Hungarian folk tales are an important part of Hungarian culture and folklore, and over the centuries many collectors and researchers have worked to document and preserve them.
The collection and research of Hungarian folk tales began in the late 18th century, but it was in the 19th and 20th centuries that the field really took off, and since then many influential researchers, writers and literary figures have worked in this field.
Among the most famous Hungarian folktale collectors are for example László Arany and Elek Benedek.
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