Perun - ancient Slavic god of thunder and lightning.He is the supreme ruler in the pantheon of pagan higher powers, which protects the prince and the fighting squads.Perun gives men power, and for non-compliance with the laws of war severely punished.
story of the birth
According to legend, the parents of the pagan deities were not ordinary people, and a higher power.His mother, Lada - the patroness of all Russia, supreme female deity - in charge of family relationships, procreation, love and spring.Keeper and homemaker, she became a symbol of feminine beauty, but not so much physical as inner, spiritual.Father Svarog, was the representative of the heavenly hosts, skilled blacksmith who forged his own Earth.He was the ancestor of all other deities worshiped by the Slavs.
pagan god Perun was born in the rainy day when thunder shook the earth, and frightening lightning pierced the firmament.These forces of nature and become the best lullaby for baby: only during a thunderstorm, he slept sweetly, brought no hassle.Legend has it that when Perun little bit older, he ran with lightning race and tried to drown the thunder.But becoming absolutely adults learned to control the force of nature, to manage them.Hardened father work in the smithy, he fell in love with a weapon that was manufactured there.Therefore, I took over one more task: to protect the brave soldiers during the battle.
Appearance
pagan gods of ancient Slavs were depicted in the guise that inspires fear and respect for mere mortals.Perun was no exception.It is often represented as a man 35-40 years of solid gold with a mustache and beard that shone like lightning.At the same time hair was black, with a silver gray color of storm clouds.Just like her, they swirled around his face.
moved across the sky god on a huge chariot: the roar of wheels and it was the thunder that would terrify people on Earth.The symbol of Perun - black and white magpie, so his divine transport was not only drawn by winged horses, but these birds.In addition, the Thunder could be brought before the people in different guises.For example, in the form of a formidable bull Tour, who was considered untouchable animals protected Perun.Deity depicted in the red cloak fluttering in the wind: this garment was to become the main feature of the image of any ancient Russian prince.
Iris and oak
These are the main characters of the thunder.Like all the gods of the Slavs, Perun had their own signs, which were always connected with his character, a halo of habitat and activities.For example, the mighty oak.Ancient Slavs in the annals documented rituals, some of which was this tree: usually the highest in the county, with thick branches and dense crown.Beside him sacrifices in honor of Perun: killing roosters, left pieces of meat stuck to the land boom.
Another symbol of Perun - sky-blue iris.Blue flower was used not only in the ceremonies associated with the deity.He was also part of the temples, which housed the idol.Making it in the form of iris petals which gradually fell to the ground and complemented at the ends of the wells.In these pits burned the sacred fire, and in the middle of the cup was a statue of Perun.Dedicated to the god of another plant - the color of the fern.The mythical element searched on the night of Midsummer.Slavs believed: the one who will be able to overcome all the dangers and find him in the dense thickets, Perun give countless treasures.
Other characters
known marks Perun - the so-called grozovik.It is a symbol, like the sun.Moving away from the center six beams directed in different directions.Often painted sign above the front door of the house.People believed that it protects the home from evil spirits and the wall of the evil eye.For the same reason it was cut on the shutters and roofs.Women embroidered symbol in the shape of a flower: these "towels" were given to men in the military campaign to protect them from enemy swords and arrows, give strength and courage.Later this sign of Perun was transformed and became a bit like a wheel - the one that was part of the thunder chariot.
main weapon of the god was considered the ax with a miraculous power.Put in the door jamb, with images of the Thunder and the sun, it also served as a guardian of human dwellings, prevent the penetration into the wicked forces of misery and unhappiness.Interestingly, after the baptism of Rus all the characters and properties of Perun passed "inherited" to the prophet Elijah - the saint, who is worshiped by the entire Orthodox world.
Attributes
Weekday Perun - Thursday, during which the Slavs worshiped sacrifice and arranged.Through rituals, the people asked the deity opportunity to change lives for the better.Since then it is believed that Thursday - the most successful day for change, new beginnings.Ideally, at this time of rising moon: It only accelerates the steps in the right direction, facilitating the process.
Like other Slavic gods, Perun patronized the world of flora and fauna.Besides the aforementioned oak, iris, fern, bull and magpies, custody remained wolves, wild boars, bay horses, and boletus mushroom, peas and oats.The figure of the deity - 4, metal - tin, stone - lapis lazuli, sapphire.The planet of the solar system - Jupiter, which grow under the influence of rich harvests, cattle gives litter.When the science of astrology has become popular on the territory of modern Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, it was believed that all agricultural work always better to start in the period during which Jupiter reigns.
Abilities
Based on the fact that the Thunderer Perun was, he was able to cause severe thunderstorms.God not only metal zippers for fun: with their help, he chastised people who angered him.Usually objectionable burned alive on the spot.Those who managed to survive were considered almost sacred.Lucky called "marked Perun", because after the incident, they usually discover the hidden magical powers, voodoo psychic abilities and opportunities.
Yes, and Perun - the god of thunder and lightning - was an excellent magician.He flew across the sky in a chariot, was able to transform into various animals, birds and people.In its desire to create ghostly creatures that sent to death with a certain mission.In addition, Perun had great physical strength, no wonder it is compared with the oak.By the way, the Slavs were so afraid of the thunder that never cut these trees.That oak tree, which was hit by lightning, they worshiped with double delight: carved from the trunk of his rods and maces considered the best weapon in the battle not only with mortal enemies, but also with the magical creatures of the underworld Navi.
enemies deity
They were dark beings who tried to get out of the underworld in the lives of people to harm them, bring evil.For example, according to long-time legend, the god of lightning Perun kills treglavogo snake tried to kidnap his beloved diva.To defeat the enemy, he even steps over his pride and joins forces with the father of the girl - his longtime enemy, the god Veles.After the overthrow of Perun monsters engaged to the beautiful Diva, from this union is born brave Dewan - goddess of the hunt, the wife of the patron saint of forests Sviatobor.
Perun and Veles are constantly competing with each other: they could not divide the herd animals, proved who is stronger and more powerful.Their dislike of strife can not be called, rather it is the story of two brothers who make one other minor mischief, while maintaining respect and even experiencing a hidden love mate.By the way, Veles was a god of the cyclic movement.The people he was associated with a bear, has a strong magical powers.
first feat
It Perun he raised to unprecedented heights in the divine pantheon.This is not surprising.Slavic gods - Perun in particular - have been indifferent to the battles and battles.His baptism of fire went thunder during the fight with an ugly Sceptre - half serpent, half scorpion.Overthrowing him, he earned the respect of the higher forces, as well as mere mortals.This was followed by the battle of Perun and the other: he killed the children Chernobog, evil ruler of the dark forces that beset the gryphon and vipers.In the indomitable courage and boundless rage made him the main protector of the worlds of men and gods - Reveal and regulations.
reading ancient written sources, such as the manuscript of Procopius of Caesarea, dating back to the VI century, one can assume that the supreme god Perun was considered.Rays of his fame, he eclipsed even his father and grandfather - and Svarog Rod.It is logical that Perun was the patron of warriors.And Russia most of its history was in a bloody war, a poet Perun gratified gifts and sacrifices regularly and generously.
Day god Perun
Our ancient ancestors celebrated it on 20 June.On this day men were cleaning their weapons - axes, axes, knives, spears - and marched with them the main street.At the same time the soldiers were singing ritual songs that glorify god.A peculiar parade they reached the edge of the forest, where the temple was built - the place where sacrifices were made.To slaughter a rooster or a bull, people sprinkled their blood brought by armor and weapons - it was thought that after the ritual, it is blessed by God himself to winning the war.In addition, she rubbed the head vigilantes to protect them from death in an unequal battle.
When the ritual was over, the soldiers returned to the city where the main square were staged fights Veles and Perun, the latter always emerged victorious.Deity prepared many gifts that add up to a boat and set fire.The ashes were buried, and then sat down at the table.Priests advised the soldiers to spend the night with women as they are to be winners not only on the battlefield.Also on the day, people called Perunov rain: choose a girl poured water to their crops are not destroyed summer drought.
ministry Perun
This process is called volhovaniem or zhreniem.To perform the rituals and ceremonies could only specifically taught people who from birth prophesied role.They call them respectively the Magi, or priests.Some chronicles stating that their role often performed princes and other dignitaries.The honorable caste boys also fell, which takes over the title of inheritance, as well as young men, gifted with unusual abilities.
pagan gods of ancient Slavs have always had a high priest, who was a link between the higher forces and the people.This also applies to Perun.High Priest waited on the other magicians who are in this hierarchy on the step below.Their job was to keep the sacrificial fire in pagan temples, organize and carry out rites of sacrifice, to go to the villages and talk about the power of the deity.To help priests often treated people.They brought gifts and asked the magician to put in a word for them in front of Perun: heal from wounds received in combat, give invulnerability to enemy arrows, to make a courageous and strong unborn baby.
At sunset pagan era
At this time, the thunder is particularly revered.Each house amulet hung Perun as a small hatchet or a brace.Even Prince Vladimir before baptized Rus, ordered to put a huge statue depicting the god in the heart of Kiev, close to the prince's chambers.Later, when he took over the new faith and began to spread Christianity all Russian lands, he ordered to throw the idol in the river.People who were brought up on pagan traditions, long ran along the shore and swam after the statue cried: "Father Perun, vydubay!"("Vydubay" meant - swim).
Years later at the very spot where the wave threw the statue on the land, built Vydubaysky monastery, which still exists today.Also today, the fashion of the ancient tradition returned.Scientists have found the so-called Santee Perun - a book that supposedly describes the main teachings of God, His laws and commandments.Although some researchers have questioned the reliability of the findings.It is said that this is an analogue of Indian and Aryan Vedas, only converted and veiled.Although the source is more informative, besides its true origin has long been proven.
Perun-Ilya
As already mentioned, after the baptism of the Russian lands into other higher power had transformed the gods of the Slavs.Perun, for example - an analogue of the prophet Elijah.The lamentations called him "thunder", as it is considered to be the manager of storm forces of nature.The main reason for this confusion is described in the biblical narrative: the prayer of the Prophet from the sky fell to the earth and the fire burned the enemy, and with the help of water sprinkled dried fields and saved the harvest.In the minds of ordinary people in our time Elijah is considered a pagan deity than the saints of the Orthodox religion.
When the storm comes, people say that he is riding on his celestial chariot.During harvest time, they always leave a few ears of corn - Ilya beard.This is also something like the ancient sacrifices.We can conclude that no matter how we tried, pagan traditions, rites and rituals continue to exist in our daily lives.The memory of them is passed on genes from one generation to another.In recent years, young people are united in groups: the joint efforts of reviving Slavic rites, including those that glorify the mighty and brave Perun.
