As I ponder the tale type 440, Frog Prince/Frog Maiden, it’s clear that the issue is metamorphosis.
Metamorphosis: a change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one, by natural or supernatural means.
- one thing to another
- one environment to another
- one reality to another
Metamorphosis is a concept that has always fascinated, and always challenged me. As we grow we morph into different beings – from infants to children, children to adolescents, adolescents to adults. Then we become older, middle aged, and we are ever changing, ever facing new realities. Metamorphosis.
Frogs are thought to be magical creatures by many cultures. In ancient Celtic times, frogs were seen as King of the Earth, having healing and cleansing powers as he was associated with the rains. In China the frog is connected to fertility, happiness and luck. Early Christians associated frogs with the resurrection.
The frog is a powerful symbol of metamorphosis: from tadpole to frog,from water to land, from one reality to another. No wonder it is so frequently appears as the subject of folklore. He or she is ever-changing, wise or cunning, and endowed with luck.
And, I think they’re kind of cute.
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