gods of ancient Slavs ... What were they?When they believed, and who honored our ancestors?
All this I want to tell in his article.
Beliefs and mythology of ancient Slavs
gods of ancient Slavs, who were part of the so-called pagan pantheon belonged, as a rule, to one of two types: some of them considered solar and other now called functional.High Svarog is considered, often also referred to as the God Rod.
to solar gods include four ancient deities: Horsa, Yarila, Dazhbog and Svarog.And in the pantheon of functionality included Perun, Semargl, Veles and Stribog.
Slavs were their holidays.For example, they noted the change and seasons, and solar phases.Ancient Slavic gods were responsible for these changes.Everyone - for her: Horse - in the spring, Jari - over the summer, Dazhbog - for the fall, and finally, Svarog - over the winter.It is in their "own" their seasons and especially revered.This tradition in Russia was quite deep.By the way, not to mention the fact that after the Baptism of Rus' gods of the ancient Slavs were not completely forgotten, but continued to massively revered, but now under the guise of our usual Orthodox saints.
Solar gods of ancient Slavs.
- god of fire Svarog was considered supreme in all the Slavic pantheon.In addition, it is also revered as the god of the sky and progenitor of life in general.According to legend, one day he changed his sex and became a parent for the entire cohort of gods: Perun, Dazhbog and Semargl, giving them their fiery nature.According to legend, possession of fire, metal and creating a treat people chariots, mites and plow - it merits the name of God Svarog.The ancient Slavs believed that it was he rewarded them with knowledge and presented the laws that must be followed.Later SVAROG handed over the reins to his sons - young Horse, Yarily and Dazhbog, so they also were called sun or fire.
- God sun Horsa often identified with a circle of fire, flame or red as a whole.December 22, the winter solstice, the Slavs celebrated the birthday of the god Horsa.Overall it was a male deity, able to inspire both boys and adult men to spiritual growth, knowledge and overcoming difficulties.
- Yarilo was considered the god of conception, light and vernal awakening of nature in spring.It is often identified with love and procreation.Ancient Slavs Yarilo seen in the image of a young boy, cheerful, wholesome, take part in all national holidays and seeking to find a wife.Yarilo banished from the lands of the cold and winter.
- fertility god named Dazhbog personified the power of light, and any heat.From him the ancient Slavs expected fulfillment of dreams, recovery, strength and other benefits.Symbols Dazhbog considered two glowing and light metal: silver and gold.He pleased the rain, thunderstorms and hail frightened and bestowed abundant harvest.
functional gods of ancient Slavs
- Velez - is lord and master of wildlife, is the patron saint of travelers and ruler of all the unknown.Also, farmers and herdsmen attributed to him care of the livestock, and the merchants were asked to bring wealth.Velez lived on the island of Buyan, writing poems and ran souls of the dead, or sending them to the sun, or leaving on the moon.
- But Semargl was considered the god of death.The ancient Slavs often portrayed him as a winged wolf.He traveled in the company of a dog Cerberus.
- now known to any schoolboy god Perun was not only the patron saint of soldiers, but also the god of such natural disasters as thunder and lightning.In the very first days of spring was Perun came to the earth, watering it and bringing heavy rains of the winter clouds the long-awaited sun.He awakens and again revived nature.By the way, the gods of the ancient Slavs, too, could be bloodthirsty.For example, Perun was made to sacrifice animals, prisoners and even children.This deity was devoted to the oak, from which it is, according to tradition, make fire.The very image of Perun was sufficient effect: a middle-aged looking man with silver strands of hair and gold mustache and beard.The main weapon of Perun - it rocks, various axes and arrows.Militant God, is not it?It was he who, according to legend, and gave our ancestors the shield.
- Stribog has always been considered a god of wind and air currents.The very essence of Stribog is highly controversial: As Airbender, he is able to bring the moisture, but at the same time, it is his fault floods, hurricanes and droughts, and because of all this - death.
