The Image of the Reptilian in the Russian Media Tradition

The article explores the evolution of the image of anthropomorphic reptiles across global and Russian media traditions, from archaic myths and folk tales to modern conspiracy theories and representations of reptilians in Russian popular culture, primarily in animated works. The study is relevant because the myth of reptilians has received insufficient scholarly attention in Russian academic discourse, despite its widespread presence in the media environment. The research is based on Régis Debray's theory of mediology, which interprets media as material and symbolic mediators that ensure the longevity of cultural forms. Within this paradigm, fairy tales and animated series are analyzed as equivalent media that transmit systems of collective representations and values. The article concludes that the ancient mythological image has been repurposed by modern media to address contemporary ideological objectives. The aim of the study is to trace the evolution of the archaic mythological image of anthropomorphic reptiles and to identify the mechanisms underlying its transformation in the Russian media landscape, from folk tales to modern conspiracy narratives in youth animation. The article is intended for media studies scholars, specialists in mythology and cultural studies, philosophers, historians, political scientists, sociologists, psychologists, social architects, and media content producers.