Mythological elements in Hungarian folktales

Hungarian folktales, influenced by Indo-European and Turko-Mongolian cultures stretching from Central Asia to Western Europe, reflect a rich cultural memory shaped by intercultural interactions. This thesis evaluates the mythological elements in Hungarian folktales. In this context, the historical and cultural structure of the Hungarian people is summarized, and the basic features of the folktale genre and its relationship with mythology are emphasized. Frequently encountered elements such as trees, magical objects, animals, witches, and fairies are classified and analyzed in terms of their functions. The study aims to reveal the role of mythological heritage in social memory and cultural transmission, and to examine how these elements are functionally employed. The Hungarian folktales compiled by Éva Csáki. Through literature review, text analysis, and comparative methods, the mythological structures are systematically evaluated. In conclusion, Hungarian folktales are not only folk narratives, but also multicultural storytelling universes that reflect cultural memory through mythological elements.