K SYMBOLICKEJ ANALÝZE JARNÝCH OBRADOVÝCH CHOROVODOV

The subscription reports on the spring ritual dances “chorovody” that have preserved in our territory until mid- 20th century. They comprise elements of ceremonies, archaic drawings and spatial impact of medieval dances. The relics have preserved in children games, but their function has turned into entertaining and aesthetic features. They demonstrate signs of ritual – it is therefore necessary to deal with symbolist analysis of the overall context. “Chorovody” exhibit characteristics of five segments: the specific festive time, spatial dance forms, textual symbolism and status and gender homogeneity of the participants. The subject of this paper is an analysis of “Zámutov chorovod” (1966) and “chorovod” from Ruthenia (1929). Spatial forms contain relics of the oldest dance forms with symbolic implications. Spring transitional period in the nature relates to fertility and prosperity functions of the “chorovod” ritual that accentuates female principle, fertility and restoring life cycle.