Khvtiso Mamisimedishvili

The purpose of this article is to survey the sacred omens and mysterious signs in the appearance of the heroes of the Caucasian epic works and to show the peculiarity of these characters, to classify the corresponding motifs and mythological elements in which the archetypal layers of this image are manifested. The relevance of the topic lies in the fact that the study of the image of an epic hero will not be complete without researching the special features of the character. In addition, the question is raised on the scale of the folklore of the peoples of the Caucasus. The research is carried out within the framework of the structural analysis of folklore texts and the comparative typological method. The novelty of the topic lies in the fact that on the basis of a comparative study of the material, common plots and models are revealed in the mountainous regions of Eastern Georgia, in Ingushetia and the mountains of Chechnya. This testifies to the close relationship of neighboring peoples over the centuries. The artistic image of the epic hero is sculpted from his heroic deeds and adventures. However, in the epics of both the Georgian and North Caucasian peoples, secret signs on the hero's body are confirmed, which can be considered as a material expression of the supernatural qualities of the character. According to the mythological narrative, these signs indicate luck, and the involvement of their owner with God. Among the Georgian highlanders, in particular among the Khevsurs, people who wore such signs were called partakers of God (natsiliani – having a particle as a marker of divine nature). According to popular beliefs, the elect inherit these signs from heavenly beings from birth, as a sign of safety, luck and fate. The fate of an epic hero is often built according to the secret signs depicted on his body, which bring the hero either glory and greatness, or become the cause of his death. Secret marks on the hero's body are confirmed in the works of various genres of folklore of the Caucasian peoples: in epics, legends, ballads. As an indicator of the chosenness of a person, they are also found in the medieval Georgian literature.   References Merchule Georgy. The life of St. Grigory Khandztiysky. Texts and research in Armenian-Georgian philology. Book 7. Preface, publ. and transl. with a diary of a trip to Shavshia and Klardzhia by N. Ya. Marr. Saint Petersburg, Printing House of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, 1911, 449 p. (In Georgian and Russ.) The Gospel of Matthew. In: New Testament and Psalms. London, T.B.S. Publ., 1989, p. 38. (In Russ.) Gurevich A. Ya. History and Saga. Moscow, Nauka Publ., 1972, 198 p. (In Russ.) Cristoforo De Castelli: Sketchbook and De Castelli's Relation. Transl., research and comm. by B. Giorgadze. Tbilisi, Metsniereba Publ., 1977, 457 p. (In Georgian) Marco Polo. A book about the diversity of the world. Transl. by I. P. Minaev. 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In 2014 the Universali publishers printed Ossetian Nart sagas in Georgian and Ossetian languages. The Georgian section was compiled and translated by Naira Bepiev, Universali publishers, Tbilisi, 2014, 600 pp. The Ossetian section: Нарты кадджтae, Чиныг aeмae тексттae бацaeттae кодта Беппиты Наирae, “Универсал”, Тб., 2014, 609 pp.

Guram Kerashvili’s critically acclaimed monograph “Khevi and the Mokheve” exhaustively describes the Georgian province of Khevi: its geographical peculiarities, climate, territory and borders, roads and paths, place names, the historical past, folk traditions, archeological evidence, residential fortresses and Christian churches, and other sacred structures and fortifications. The author cites folklore material while providing an impressive account of the traditional lifestyle of Khevi from almost all perspectives, including the worship of cross icons, clan history and relationships, hospitality practices, hostility and vendetta, and the reconciliation of blood enemies.

The book contains folk texts of all genres related to popular beliefs:  eulogies to the Cross and icons, verses and songs, incantations, mythological  tradition, folk stories, proverbs, etc. This collection is a wonderful source for  understanding spiritual culture, beliefs and outlooks of the Georgian people.

Chechen heroic illi and Georgian ballad present precisely and powerfully the mentality of the warrior society of the Chechen and Georgian highlanders, their heroic ideals and the psychology of the people who are involved in battles on a daily basis. As a result of comparative study artistic, structural and conceptual similarities as well as differences between the two genres of folklore have been revealed.