Reflections on Functions of Magic in Ancient Magical Tales

Magic tales are considered as one of the most significant types of oral literature. These tales, specified by number 300-749 in the ATU international list of folktales, remind us the time when every single object or phenomenon possessed a magical and metaphysical power in the mind of the primitive man and exceeded man’s power. Those men believed that at the time of troubles, magical powers would come to assist them and would save them from dangers. Through content analysis of magical tales, we may find clues to the roots of the thoughts of primitive man such including animation and personification of objects, the ability to speak to plants and animals, metamorphosis, etc.