The Image System of Mythical Heroes in Azerbaijani Geographical Legends and Their Poetic Functions

This article is devoted to the study of the imagery system of mythical heroes and their poetic functions in Azerbaijani geographical legends, which are among the most archaic layers of folk art. The aim of the work is to reveal the role of mythological characters in the formation of the worldview, moral norms and symbolic models of Azerbaijani culture. The methodological basis of the study consists of comparative-historical and structural-semantic methods, which made it possible to analyse the mythopoetic structures preserved in legends about mountains, rivers, stones and sacred trees. The results of the study show that mythical heroes perform several key functions. The cosmogonic function manifests itself in explaining the origin of natural objects through the intervention of divine or supernatural forces that transform chaos into an orderly cosmos. The didactic function is associated with the consolidation of social and moral values: heroes serve as models of loyalty and courage or become symbols of punishment for betrayal. The symbolic function is reflected in the stability of archetypes — the ‘Great Mother Earth,’ the ‘Hero-Founder,’ and the ‘Enemy of Chaos’ — which continue to structure collective memory. In conclusion, it should be noted that Azerbaijani geographical legends represent a unique synthesis of mythological thinking and poetic imagination. Mythical heroes not only sacralise space and preserve ancient cosmological views, but also act as cultural codes that ensure the preservation of national identity and continuity of tradition