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Author
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Comment
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EKathy
Registered User
(8/14/04 8:51 pm)
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Female hero transformation
I was asked today to do a set of goblets for a wedding. The couple wanted a fantasy theme.
We talked about transformation and fairy tales and think though we might, we couldn't come up with any symbolism of female transformation. The frog prince quickly came to mind for the male, and I think I will do a butterfly for the female, but it bothers me that I couldn't think of even one tale where the female went through an eye opening transformation. They seem to stay good and beautiful or ugly and evil through-out.
Then I thought of you folks who are extremely versed in tales I have never even heard of and so I thought I would pose the question to you.
Can you think of a tale where the woman transforms? And would there be a symbol that would represent that transformation?
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Laura
Registered User
(8/14/04 10:39 pm)
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Magical women/brides
A quick note before bed:
Selkies and their ilk (the Japanese crane wife, the monkey bride Midori wrote about on the Endicott site, etc.) are magical brides. Some have far better outcomes than others, so it might be wise to be wary about which is chosen -- many brides are trapped or lost against their will!
Fox Women, Daphne and Io of Greek mythology, and the Little Mermaid all transform, but are rather poor choices for a wedding. :-)
Donkeyskin conceals herself and then casts off her disguise, but she too has dicey connotations.
Butterflies have a traditional link to Psyche in Greek myth (bride with transforming husband), though I can't offhand recall details.
I can't wait to hear what others think of!
Laura
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Jessica
Unregistered User
(8/15/04 12:24 am)
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the frog princess
The selkie came second to mind, too. (First were the swan-maidens.) Considering the usual fate of the selkie-wife (vanishing into the ocean once she's found herself again) it might not be the best image for a wedding goblet, I agree.
I remember a story called the Frog Princess. One king, one kingdom, three sons. King doesn't know who should get the kingdom so he tells them that whoever brings home the best wife will get it. Eldest two sons marry various suitable princesses or queens or wealthy men's daughters; youngest son meets a speaking frog and makes a deal with it. To judge which wife is the finest King sets them each three tasks and, of course, the frog takes the cake -- and then transforms into a lovely princess, discarding her skin.
The other story that comes to mind is actually a short-story by Midori Snyder - Golden Fur is what it's called, I think - and it has a hampster!
In Celtic legend I believe there is a woman who transforms into a doe... I don't know if she ever transforms back into a woman or is killed, not remembering the legend.
Sorry I couldn't be more help!
--Jessica
P.S., was it butterflies that were connected to Psyche or moths? I could have sworn it was the latter, but racking my brains I can't think why.
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Helen
J Pilinovsky
Registered User
(8/15/04 1:40 am)
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Re: the frog princess
You might want to consider "The
White Cat," which has a very positive, almost proto-feminist
slant ...
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Don
Registered User
(8/15/04 11:15 am)
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Animal Brides
You might want to look at stories known as Animal Bride tales. There's
a selection of these at www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0402.html.
Edited by: Don at: 8/15/04 11:15 am
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EKathy
Registered User
(8/15/04 3:19 pm)
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Re: Animal Brides
Oh, those were so good. I enjoyed reading them all.
Helen, is the White Cat story you mentioned the same as The Cat Who Became a Queen (India) in the link given? I would like to read it if it is different.
My favorite was the large and lonesome tortoise wife, it might make an interesting pair - two rose chalices - one with a frog and crown and the other with a tortoise and crown.
Good thoughts. I will have to include the stories with them.
Thanks. I knew you folks would come up with something great.
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Helen
J Pilinovsky
Registered User
(8/15/04 6:09 pm)
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Re: Animal Brides
No, I don't think so ... "The White Cat" is a 17th c.
French fairy tale by d'Aulnoy. It concerns a prince who is challenged
by his father, as are his two brothers, to fulfill a series of tasks
- finding the finest bolt of linen, etc. - with the kingdom to go
to he who fulfills them best. The youngest prince travels, despoindantly
unsuccessfully, until he finds a castle reigned over by a beautiful
white cat, who assists him in every way: when, for the last task,
he is told to find the most beautiful bride, the white cat tells
him that he must behead her. He is aghast: he does not want victory
at this price! But she urges him to do so, regardless, and when
the deed is accomplished, the most beautiful princess imaginable
steps forth - you see, she had only been enchanted into the shape
of the white cat, and needed to find someone to love her for herself.
The story in the original is far more detailed ... try Jack Zipe's
_Beauty
and the Beast and Other Classic French Fairy Tales_ for a good
translation.
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Heidi
Anne Heiner
ezOP
(8/15/04 8:13 pm)
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Re: Animal Brides
There's a version of White Cat on SurLaLune at:
www.surlalunefairytales.c...tecat.html
Heidi
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EKathy
Registered User
(8/15/04 9:50 pm)
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Re: Animal Brides
I seem to remember, now that I read it, but I may just be remembering
the Green Knight - they both have a very familiar theme somehow
(to me at least) Maybe it is just the beheading.
I can't help but think when I read tales like that, how the poor fellow would be treated today if caught in the act... <shudder>. But I am sure it is just that reaction the story teller had in mind.
Thanks for the link.
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janeyolen
Registered User
(8/16/04 2:04 am)
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Re: Animal Brides
There's always Melusine, but that ends badly.
Jane
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ASweeney
Unregistered User
(8/16/04 3:14 pm)
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Transformation of the couple
The myth of Philemon and Baucis is really lovely. An elderly couple so impressed the gods that they were granted a wish. They asked that when it was time, they be allowed to die together. Instead of dying, they were transformed into trees (side-by-side or entwined, depends on the teller).
Bullfinch's text is here: www.bulfinch.org/fables/bull6.html
A breif version can be found at www.dl.ket.org/latin1/myt...baucis.htm
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Black
Sheep
Registered User
(8/17/04 3:54 am)
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More...
Swan brides are a popular theme although the stories often end tragically so not much use for this purpose.
There's the story of Ragnell(e)/Ragnall/Kundrie/Cundrie the Loathly Lady/Damsel in the medieval romances. She is ugly on the outside and rejection has made her angry but brave Gawain shows her love. Then her physical body transforms to reflect her deep inner beauty. Being truly loved tends to have that metaphorical effect on women but I can't think of an appropriate symbol. The tale varies, of course, depending on the story retellers agenda.
Try: www.uidaho.edu/student_or...wandw.html
Edited by: Black Sheep at: 8/17/04 6:53 am
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redtriskell
Registered User
(8/18/04 12:03 am)
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transformation for girls
I'm not sure what kind of symbol you want, but what about girls like the goose girl? I realize her appearance didn't change drastically, but from goose herder to rightful queen sounds like a big jump to me. Or the girl with silver hands? Maybe that's no good- a rather grim start to that story. Actually, everybody else is right. The animal brides are perhaps the best choice. Good luck finding what you're after.
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EKathy
Registered User
(9/3/04 8:19 pm)
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Re: transformation for girls
I think I am going to use the tortoise for the bride. I liked that story a lot and sent it to the bride to be. She liked it too!
And a frog for the groom. With rose bowers all around and of course, the crowns somehow worked into the design. LOTS of good wedding/life symbolism: the animals for transformation/life-journey, the endless circle with the crowns, the suffering/pleasure with roses, the thorns and sweet smell/good looks, and the clay itself, hard and durable, yet fragile and breakable. Yup - good stuff.
Thanks everyone. Research by reading fairy tales - it just doesn't get much better than that does it <G>?
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