Abstract: The object of this research is the ordinary legal consciousness in the Russian folk tales. The subject of this research is the phenomenon of legal archetype of equivalence in the Russian folk tales. The author analyzes the key approaches towards studying the legal archetype, and provides definition to this phenomenon. Analysis is conducted on the attributes and varieties of the legal archetype, legal aspects of social existence and ordinary legal consciousness reflected in the Russian folk tales. Special attention is given to the clear elements of manifestation of legal consciousness: knowledge, values, attitudes, and motives. The archetype of equivalence in the Russian folk tales is viewed through the prism of retribution, reward for service, help, and exchange. The conclusion is made on the existence of basic attributes of legal archetypes, such as generic nature, frequency, and universality. It is stated that the legal archetype of equivalence is reflected in the representations of personal or property retribution, reward for good conduct of actions, fair exchange of things, magic objects, and symbols. The article advances a thought that the legal archetype of equivalence is a universal archetype, which is reflected in not only the representations of justice, but also the norm and measure, wrongdoing, retribution, agreement, etc. This is why it has fundamental meaning for other legal archetypes.