In the culture of the ancient Slavic paganism was given a central place.The earliest forms of religion, which had great importance in those days, were fetishism, magic and totemism.The last line stood at a separate location.The most venerated totems Slavs were a rooster, eagle and falcon among birds, a bear and a horse in animals.
paganism of ancient Russia, according to modern scholars, passed several stages in its development.
initial period was characterized by the deification of the forces of nature.The symbolism of the ancient Slavic art reflects the attitude of the people of that time to nature.According to them, it was inhabited by a variety of spirits.Paganism of Ancient Rus initially expressed in the worship of Mother Earth Slavs.Its symbol is a square divided into four squares in the center of which - point.Rather it was developed and water cults, groves and forests were venerated as the home of the gods.In the pagan forest Bear is a master.
the first millennium AD, the deity of the ancient Slavs begin to acquire an anthropomorphic appearance.Since human traits in deities gradually replacing animal.
Paganism in Russia this period is characterized by the worship of deities such as Dazhbog, Svarog, Veles, Stribog, Hors, Mokos, Yarilo.These gods were the most venerated among the Slavs.
SVAROG personified the sky, was considered the ancestor of all deities.Several centuries was the most revered Dazhbog - the god of sunlight, ripening, heat.His characters were silver and gold.
Horse was the god of the sun.His name means "circle", "sun".This deity had no human appearance.It was presented a simple golden disc.Worship Horse expressed spring dance dance, custom oven pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, lighted skating wheels, symbolizing the sun.
Paganism in Russia in the second stage of development is characterized by the cult Rozhanitsy and Rod - goddesses of fertility and creator of the universe.This area of religion was closely connected with the worship of ancestors, home, family.
Rod was considered the god of fertility, storms, sky.The Slavs were told that he was going on a cloud and hurling rain on the earth.From that children are born.Rod was a pagan god-creator.Rozhanitsy were nameless goddesses of prosperity, abundance and fertility.Their Slavs worshiped as the protectors and young children and young mothers.
At the same time paganism in Russia comes to the three-part conception of the world.Image structure - lower (underground), middle (earth) and the upper (celestial) worlds - can be seen on the remaining idols.
Sacrifice and worship took place in special sanctuaries, shrines.They were a round earthen or wooden structures, which were built on hills or embankments.Later, they became quadrangular.
Art consolidated Slavs and continuing struggle of light and dark forces of nature in their notions of time cycle.The starting point coincided with the onset of the new year in late December.Celebrating the birth of the new sun it was called "carols".
At last the third stage of the pagan religion ennobled cult of the god Perun.Vladimir, prince of Kiev, in 980 tried to reform religion, seeking to raise people's worship to the state level.
should be noted that the fertility of common Slavic deities special role and importance was given to warlike gods.They Slavs bloody sacrifices.These were the gods Perun and Jari.The second represented the death and resurrection, he sacrificed a young lamb.Perun worshiped as a god of thunder, the rise of his cult starts with the first campaign of Kiev.
Despite the adoption of Christianity in 988, paganism in Russia existed long enough.
