# The Scarlet Flower

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For the films, see [The Scarlet Flower (1952 film)](/source/The_Scarlet_Flower_(1952_film)) and [The Scarlet Flower (1977 film)](/source/The_Scarlet_Flower_(1977_film)).

1858 Russian folk tale by Sergey Aksakov

The Scarlet Flower The merchant meets the beast. Illustration by Nikolai Bogatov. Folk tale Name The Scarlet Flower Also known as The Little Red Flower Country Russia Published in 1858 Related Beauty and the Beast

**The Scarlet Flower** ([Russian](/source/Russian_language): Аленький цветочек, [romanized](/source/Romanization_of_Russian): *Alen'kiy tsvetochek*), also known as **The Little Scarlet Flower**[1] or **The Little Red Flower**,[2] is a Russian [literary fairy tale](/source/Literary_fairy_tale) written by [Sergey Aksakov](/source/Sergey_Aksakov). It is a variation of the plot of the fairy tale *[Beauty and the Beast](/source/Beauty_and_the_Beast)*.[3] In Russia, *Beauty and the Beast* story is known mostly via Aksakov's retelling.[4]

## Publication

In a letter to his son of November 23, 1856 Aksakov wrote: "I am writing a story which in my childhood I knew by heart".[5] Aksakov had been told that story as a child. He recalled that he was ill and suffered from [insomnia](/source/Insomnia). Then a housekeeper named Pelageya, who was well known for telling great fairy tales, sat by the stove and began to tell him the story of *Scarlet Flower*. Aksakov added that listening to the story did not make him feel sleepy at all, on the contrary, he couldn't fall asleep until the very end.[6] *The Scarlet Flower* was first published in 1858. It was printed as an [appendix](/source/Addendum) in Aksakov's *Childhood Years of Grandson Bagrov* (*Detskie gody Bagrova-vnuka*; English translation: *Years of Childhood*) "not to interrupt the story of childhood".[5][7]

## Synopsis

Once upon a time there lived a wealthy merchant, who had three beautiful daughters. Once he decided to do business overseas. He called for the daughters and asked what gifts should he bring them. The eldest asked for a golden tiara adorned with precious gems that sparkled brightly, and the second wanted a crystal mirror which always showed the person's reflection as young and beautiful. The merchant knew these would be difficult to obtain, but within his means. The youngest, named Nastenka (a diminutive form of the given name [Anastasia](/source/Anastasia)), asked for the most beautiful scarlet flower in the world, which she had seen in a dream. The merchant did not know where he could find such a flower, but promised not to disappoint.

Everything went well. The merchant bought all gifts, except for the scarlet flower. He saw many scarlet flowers, but not the most beautiful one. On the way home he was attacked by robbers, fled into the woods and became lost. When he awoke the next morning he saw a splendid palace "in flame, silver and gold". He walked inside, marveling at the splendor, but the palace was seemingly empty. Spread before him was a luxurious feast, and he sat down and ate. When he walked out to the garden he saw the most beautiful scarlet flower, and knew it was the one his daughter desired. Upon picking it, the terrible Beast of the Forest leapt out and confronted the merchant, asking him why he dared pick the scarlet flower, the one joy of the beast's life. The beast demanded that the merchant repay him and forfeit his life. The merchant begged for mercy and to be returned to his daughters. The beast allowed this on the one condition that within the next three days one of his daughters would willingly take her father's place and live with the beast, or the merchant's life would be forfeit. The beast gave the merchant a ring, and the girl that put it on the littlest finger of her right hand would be transported to the palace. Then the beast magically transported the merchant home, with all his wealth and treasures restored.

The merchant explained what happened to his three daughters. The eldest two believed the youngest should go, since it was her present that caused this disaster. The youngest daughter loved her father so, so she willingly went to live with the beast. Nastenka lived luxuriously with the beast, who granted her every desire, fed her delicious food and gave her rich jewels and clothing, yet never revealed himself to her for fear of upsetting her. However Nastenka became fond of the beast and asked to see him. When he finally revealed himself to her, she was overcome with fear but controlled herself, and apologized to the beast for upsetting him. When Nastenka had a dream that her father was ill, the Beast let her visit him. However, he said that she must come back in three days, otherwise he would perish, since his love for her was so great he loved her more than himself, and could not bear to be apart from her.

Nastenka's visit to her father revived his spirits, but her sisters resented the wealth she lived in. They tried to talk her out of returning to the Beast, but Nastenka could not be so cruel to her kind host. The elder sisters put the clocks back and closed the windows, to trick Nastenka. When Nastenka felt that something had been wrong and came back to the Monster's palace, he lay dying near the scarlet flower. Nastenka rushed to his side, took him in her arms, and cried that she loved him more than herself, that he was her true love. All of a sudden thunder boomed, and Nastenka was transported to a golden throne next to a handsome prince. The handsome prince explained that he was the Beast, cursed by a witch who was fighting his father, a mighty king. To break the curse, a maiden had to fall in love with him in his monstrous form. The merchant gave his blessing to the young couple, who lived happily ever after.[8]

## Analysis

### Tale type

The tale is classified - and gives its name - to the [East Slavic](/source/East_Slavic_languages) type SUS 425C, [Russian](/source/Russian_language): "Аленький цветочек", [romanized](/source/Romanization_of_Russian): *Alen'kyy tsvetochek*, [lit.](/source/Literal_translation) 'The Scarlet Flower', of the East Slavic Folktale Classification ([Russian](/source/Russian_language): СУС, [romanized](/source/Romanization_of_Russian): *SUS* (**С**равнительный **у**казатель **с**южетов)): a father brings presents to his three daughters, the youngest asks for a scarlet flower, which belongs in the garden of a prince cursed to be a monster. In exchange for the flower the monster demands the daughter, marries her, and turns into a handsome man.[9] According to folklorist [Petro Lintur](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Petro_Lintur&action=edit&redlink=1) [[uk](https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9B%D1%96%D0%BD%D1%82%D1%83%D1%80_%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE_%D0%92%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87)], variants of type ATU 425C are more frequently collected in East Slavic than other subtypes of ATU 425.[10]

The prototype *[Beauty and the Beast](/source/Beauty_and_the_Beast)* is classified in the [Aarne-Thompson-Uther Index](/source/Aarne-Thompson-Uther_Index) as type [ATU 425C](/source/ATU_425C), "Beauty and the Beast". It is related to the general type ATU 425, "[The Search for the Lost Husband](/source/Animal_as_Bridegroom)" and subtypes.[11]

## Adaptations

- [*The Scarlet Flower* (1952 film)](/source/The_Scarlet_Flower_(1952_film)), Soviet animated film directed by Lev Atamanov and based on Aksakov's fairy tale

- [*The Scarlet Flower* (1977 film)](/source/The_Scarlet_Flower_(1977_film)), Soviet live action film directed by Irina Povolotskaya and based on Aksakov's fairy tale

## See also

- [The Feather of Finist the Falcon](/source/The_Feather_of_Finist_the_Falcon)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Rydel, Christine (1999). [*Russian literature in the age of Pushkin and Gogol: Prose*](https://archive.org/details/russianliteratur198ryde). Gale Research. p. [4](https://archive.org/details/russianliteratur198ryde/page/4). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780787618537](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780787618537).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Российская анимация в буквах и фигурах. Фильмы. "Аленький цветочек"](http://www.animator.ru/db/?ver=eng&p=show_film&fid=3016) (in Russian). [Animator.ru](/source/Animator.ru). Retrieved 2 May 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Н. В. Будур, *Сказочная энциклопедия*, Moscow, Олма-Пресс, 2005, pp. 12-13. ISBN 5-224-04818-4

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Krasko, Genrich (2004). *This unbearable boredom of being: a crisis of meaning in America*. iUniverse. p. 123. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-595-31309-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-595-31309-4).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-tar_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-tar_5-1) Tarasenko, O. ["Sjuzhet o vybore sputnika zhizni v skazke S. Aksakova *Alen'kij cvetochek* i rasskaze M. Osorgina *Vybor nevesty*"](http://www.lib.csu.ru/vch/185/vcsu10_04.pdf#page=165) (PDF) (in Russian). Library of Chelyabinsk State University. Retrieved 19 September 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Sergey Aksakov. *The Scarlet Flower*"](http://lib.ru/TALES/alenkij.txt) (in Russian). [Lib.ru](/source/Lib.ru). Retrieved 19 September 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Chadwick, H. Munro; Chadwick, Nora Kershaw (1986). [*The growth of literature*](https://archive.org/details/growthofliteratu0000chad_p0v7/page/290). CUP Archive. p. [290](https://archive.org/details/growthofliteratu0000chad_p0v7/page/290). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-521-31018-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-31018-5).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Tradestone Gallery"](http://www.tradestonegallery.com/index.php?content=fairytaleview&fairytaleid=18&fairytale=scar&length=L).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [*Сравнительный указатель сюжетов. Восточнославянская сказка*](https://www.booksite.ru/fulltext/sravnit1/text.pdf), Leningrad: Nauka, 1979. p. 132.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Petro Lintur, ed. (1981). *Ukrainische Volksmärchen* [*Ukrainian Folktales*] (in German). Berlin: Akademie-Verlag. pp. 661–662.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Aarne, Antti; Thompson, Stith. *The types of the folktale: a classification and bibliography*. Third Printing. Folklore Fellows Communications FFC no. 184. Helsinki: Academia Scientiarum Fennica, 1973 [1961]. p. 143.

## Further reading

- Bidoshi, Kristin (2008). "Beauty and the Beast à la Russe". *Marvels & Tales*. **22** (2): 277–295. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1353/mat.2008.a258008](https://doi.org/10.1353%2Fmat.2008.a258008). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [191245792](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:191245792). [Project MUSE](/source/Project_Muse) [258008](https://muse.jhu.edu/article/258008).

- [Begunov, Yuri](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%91%D0%B5%D0%B3%D1%83%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2,_%D0%AE%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D0%9A%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87) [in Russian] (1983). "Источники сказки С. Т. Аксакова "Аленький цветочек"". *Русская литература* (in Russian) (1): 179–187.

- Добровольская, В.Е. «Ореховая веточка»: редакция сюжетного типа СУС 425С «Аленький цветочек» (сказка староверов Литвы в контексте русской сказочной традиции). In: "Современные методы и подходы в изучении традиционной народной культуры. К юбилею Юрия Александровича Новикова". Saint-Petersburg: 2018. pp. 226-238 (Из истории русской фольклористики. Вып. 10).

## External links

[Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Children's literature](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Children%27s_literature)

- Media related to [The Scarlet Flower](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:The_Scarlet_Flower) at Wikimedia Commons

- (in Russian) [The Scarlet Flower Stories: Russian Text](https://vseskazki.su/sergey-aksakov/alenkiy-cvetochek.html)

v t e Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve's "Beauty and the Beast" Film La Belle et la Bête (1946) The Scarlet Flower (1952) Beauty and the Beast (1962) Beauty and the Beast (1976) Panna a netvor (1978) Beauty and the Beast (1987) Beauty and the Beast (1991) soundtrack Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997) Belle's Magical World (1998) Beauty and the Beast (or Blood of Beasts, 2005) Beauty and the Beast (2009) Beastly (2011) Beauty and the Beast (2014) Beauty and the Beast (2017) soundtrack Belle (2021) My Sweet Monster (2021) Television Series and specials Beauty and the Beast (1987–90) Once Upon a Time (2011–18) Beauty & the Beast (2012–16) episodes Brahmarakshas (2016–21) Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration (2022) Episodes "Reptar on Ice" (1992) "Exile" (2003) "Skin Deep" (2012) "Her Handsome Hero" (2016) "Beauty" (2017) Literature The Scarlet Flower (1858) Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast (1978) Lord of Scoundrels (1995) Rose Daughter (1997) The Quantum Rose (2000) Beastly (2007) Fashion Beast (2012) Stage Zémire et Azor (1771 opera) La Belle et la Bête (1994 opera) Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage (1991 musical) Beauty and the Beast (1993 musical) Songs "Beauty and the Beast" (1983) "Election Day" (1985) "Beauty and the Beast" (1991) Other Disney characters Beauty and the Beast (Disney franchise) The Sleeping Beauty and the Beast

v t e "Animal as Bridegroom" Literary tales Cupid and Psyche Pintosmalto Fairer-than-a-Fairy The Ram Graciosa and Percinet The Green Serpent Beauty and the Beast The Story of Princess Zeineb and King Leopard The Blue Bird Main tale types ATU 425 Pintosmalto Master Semolina/Mr Simigdáli Fairer-than-a-Fairy The Ram ATU 425A Black Bull of Norroway The Brown Bear of Norway The Daughter of the Skies The Tale of the Hoodie The Three Daughters of King O'Hara The White Hound of the Mountain The Sprig of Rosemary The Enchanted Snake White-Bear-King-Valemon East of the Sun and West of the Moon Prince Hat Under the Ground The Iron Stove Whitebear Whittington The Serpent Prince The Frog Queen Sigurd, the King's Son The White Wolf Trandafiru Again, The Snake Bridegroom Prince Crawfish King Crin The Tale of the Little Dog About the astonishing husband Hora Prince Whitebear The Snake Prince Enchanted Balaur The Enchanted Pig The Story of King Pig The Enchanted Prince Who was a Hedgehog The Lizard With the Seven Skins The Calf's Skin ATU 425B Cupid and Psyche Graciosa and Percinet The Green Serpent The King of Love Prince Wolf (Ulv Kongesøn) The Golden Root The Horse-Devil and the Witch Tulisa, the Wood-Cutter's Daughter Khastakhumar and Bibinagar Habrmani The Son of the Ogress Yasmin and the Serpent Prince The Little Crab Pájaro Verde Los Tres Claveles The Castle of Return and No Return Es Negret The Story of the Abandoned Princess Grünkappe The Snake-Prince Sleepy-Head The Padisah's Youngest Daughter and Her Donkey-Skull Husband The Princess Who Could Not Keep a Secret The Tale of Aftab The King's Daughter and the Dragon The Spotted Deer The Stone of Patience Chötiktscha The Tale of the Woodcutter and his Daughters Sea-Horse ATU 425C Beauty and the Beast The Singing, Springing Lark The Small-tooth Dog The Scarlet Flower ATU 425D The Golden Crab The Donkey's Head The Donkey's Head (Turkish folktale) The Camel Husband Saint Passaway ATU 425E The Padlock The Story of Oimè Filek-Zelebi Other tale types AaTh 425Gp The Sleeping Prince ATU 425M Eglė the Queen of Serpents The Lake Beetle as Groom AaTh 425Np The Story of Princess Zeineb and King Leopard María, manos blancas Feather O' My Wing The Man Who Came Out Only at Night Related tales ATU 426 Snow-White and Rose-Red AaTh 428p Prunella The Little Girl Sold with the Pears La Fada Morgana The Man and the Girl at the Underground Mansion The Girl as Soldier The Tale About Baba-Yaga ATU 430 The Donkey ATU 431 The Hut in the Forest ATU 432 The Prince as Bird The Blue Bird The Canary Prince The Three Sisters The Green Knight The Feather of Finist the Falcon Prince Sobur The Fan of Patience The Greenish Bird The Falcon Pipiristi The Green One in Glass ATU 433 King Lindworm The Bewitched Prince The Stepdaughter and the Black Serpent The Dragon-Prince and the Stepmother The Girl with Two Husbands Dragon-Child and Sun-Child Muchie-Lal Champavati The Story of the Hamadryad The Origin of the Sirenia AaTh 437p The Dead Prince and the Talking Doll Kajalrekha ATU 440 The Frog Prince The Well of the World's End The Tale of the Queen Who Sought a Drink From a Certain Well ATU 441 Hans My Hedgehog The Pig King The Hedgehog, the Merchant, the King and the Poor Man Hedgehog Son ATU 442 The Old Woman in the Wood ATU 444* Habogi Hermod and Hadvor Notes: "Literary" indicates tale whose origin is traceable to a literary source with a known author; p indicates a previous tale type extant until 2004. "AaTh" refers to the Aarne–Thompson–Uther Index pre-2004; "ATU" refers to the system post-2004.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [The Scarlet Flower](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scarlet_Flower) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scarlet_Flower?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.