ANIMAL IMAGES IN UZBEK AND KOREAN FOLKLORE

Abstract

This article examines the role and symbolic significance of animal images in Uzbek and Korean folklore. Animals have occupied an important place in the oral traditions of both nations, reflecting their cultural values, beliefs, moral principles, and perceptions of the natural world. In Uzbek folklore, animals frequently appear in fairy tales, legends, proverbs, and fables as representations of wisdom, courage, cunning, loyalty, and justice. Similarly, Korean folklore uses animal characters to express traditional beliefs, social relationships, and ethical values. The tiger, fox, rabbit, and dragon are among the most recognizable animal figures in Korean traditional narratives, while the wolf, fox, lion, horse, and other animals appear in various forms in Uzbek oral literature. Through a comparative analysis, this article identifies similarities and differences in the symbolic meanings of animal characters in the folklore of the two nations. It also highlights the importance of preserving animal symbolism as an essential component of national cultural heritage.