Cedar as a Tree Image of Siberian Text

This study aims to create a “portrait” of the cedar as central dendro-image Siberian text and image Altai in particular. The research materials are scholarly works on ethnography folklore studies, Russian Russian-language fiction nineteenth — twenty first centuries about Siberia. author mostly refers texts from five-volume anthology Image Literature 19th–20th Centuries (2012). sources considered context geo-poetic approach ethno-dendrology. analysis makes it possible single out combination elements “tree” generic concept specific cedar, which has not previously been subject systematic consideration. real cultural qualities coniferous, evergreen, powerful, fruit-bearing, “male” tree determine its sacralisation pagan Christian cultures. name for pine, “кедр”, dates Middle Ages, establishes correspondence between Siberia Palestine, North South, reflects process mythologisation conquered space categories paradise / locus Passion. main mythological mythopoetic “cedar” motifs associated with ideas World Tree, Tree Life, family tree, poetry, etc. symbolisation sign model person, people, homeland, Altai, remains unchanged. is accompanied by images an animal (bear, sable), bird (eagle), mountains. semantic counterpart culture oak, European part Russia. Starting twentieth century, practice industrial logging leads emergence new, environmental issues.