Son Svarog was Svarojiz - an embodiment of fire. The western Slavs named him Radegast. Russian annals name Dazhbog Svarog's son as well.

The god of Thunder of east Slavics was Perun , like Balt Perkunas though he and was not esteemed by such significant deity. Traces of his existence were kept and between southern Slavs in toponymics. Perun's attributes were a horse, a chariot, an axe or hammer, stone arrows. According to Belorussian tradition, the God of Thunder supported by spirits with shape of predatory birds or warrior babies. Predatory animals also entered into an environment of the god. As wife Perun, probably, was considered Dodola. Her name was kept in southern Slav a ceremony: the girl dressed in green branches and named Dodola, pour water to cause a rain.

In Slavic culture the cult of the God of the Thunder long time did not play the leading part. According to E.V. Anichkova's opinion, promotion of Perun - the princely god was connected to formation of the Kiev state. Wishing to strengthen the government based on force of a military team, prince Vladimir reformed a pagan pantheon, having removed Perun on the first place (it would be interesting to find out, why prince has chosen the God of Thunder, is similar the Balts (Perkunas), the Indians of heroic epoch ( Indra ) and the Greeks and the Romans ( Zeus, Jove) instead of the Hero, as it have made by rulers of Vendel Scandinavia ( Odin ) and as we shall see, the western Slavics. Perhaps, here has had an effect of the Baltic influence, or influence of the Scandinavians of Viking epoch?). In 980 in Kiev the wooden idol of the God of Thunder with silver head and gold moustaches was put and in his honour even have founded human victims. But in eight years Vladimir, having accepted Christianity, ordered to banish Perun from the Kiev mountain and to alloy over Dnepr up to the thresholds.

"In Christian time Perun was replaced by prophet Ilya (Elias), going on the sky in a fiery chariot. By that Ilya day (July, 20) it was very solemnly celebrated on all Russia, and was celebrated with all attributes ancient pagan cult, probably, what exactly this storm day and was in the primordial day of Perun" (Rybakov, 1994, 418). On national representations, during a thunder-storm the Ilya - prophet has driven about on the sky and beat lightnings snakes (or devils), which drop on the ground, being turned off in ball. We shall recollect, that the Ossets named the deity of a thunder Wacilla - Saint Ilya. Identification Thunder god with the antiquated prophet was obviously connected to a detail of a bible plot according to which, Ilya has risen on the sky on a fiery chariot. It serves as powerful argument for the benefit of our treatment of the God of the Thunder extremely as god on a chariot (Thor and Jormungand , Indra and Vritra , Tarhunt and Illuyanka etc.) And, hence, treatments available in the literature of some gods-horsemen as thunder god are wrongful. Last remark especially concerns data for the western Slavs.

Saxon Grammaticus describes Svantevit's temple and a kind of the god. "Outside the temple was decorated with carefully made sculptures <...> For entering the unique entrance was open. The sanctuary is made in two fencings. External, consisting of walls, it is covered with a purple roof; internal, basing on four columns, instead of walls shone with veils <...> In a sanctuary the huge figure surpassing human growth with four heads is established <...> Beards and hair were represented clean-shaven, <...> In a right hand /idol/ held a horn for drink, executed of various metals with which priest annually should fill again that on a condition of a liquid to predict a crop of the future year. The left hand rested sideways, formed an arch <...> Legs based on ground and the basis was latent in the ground. Nearby the bridle and a saddle and other "marks of authority" deities therefrom hung; miraculousness of him the sword of monstrous size, an edge which besides excellent multiplied works. Were allocated with a silver surface" (Slavs and Scandinavians, 1986, 356-357). Well and where here the God of Thunder? On the contrary, the features connected to fertility rush to eyes (especially a horn - we shall recollect Cernunnos , the Thracian Hero, Scythian Kolaxay etc.). Spears and a horse are even more characteristic and deduce us for Sacred George's image - the horseman on a white horse, the Hero. With Svantevit frequently compare Zbruch idol, found in 1848. To tell the truth, his two sides have female attributes. The third side has no specific attributes, and the fourth which contains the image of a horse and a spear of Rybakov considers as image of Perun. But the horse and a spear are symbols of the Cultural Hero.

Certainly, many heads induces on reflections. Many-headed gods are most typical for India (set of heads, hands, an eye allow to transfer the superiority of a deity above mortal). But also in Europe the given attributes took place in the Greek mythology (four hands of ancient Apollo, hundred-handes and fifth-headed ones - "anger", "force", "arable land", three-bodied Geryon ( victory over three-headed monster ); in the Scandinavian legends - many-headed trolls, hero Starkad (he was born with six hands, but Thor (hostilely adjusted to him) has chopped off four hands of Starkad). The western Slavs have kept these features of the gods.

In the East Slav mythology 'the heroic beginning' is not so expressed. The annals speak about Svarog's son - Dazhbog - Tsar (king) -sun. "The fragment about Svarog, the father of the sun, is connected to an insert about Sovius in John Malala's "Chronicle". These both texts, probably, reflect the common cultural tradition connected to tradition of cremation. There are in Baltic Slav culture Svarozich (differently named Radegast, Radigast, Redigost, Riedigost) it was venerated in the cult centre Retra as one of the main gods which attributes were a horse and spears (like Svantevit)..." (Myths of nations of the world, 1998, v. 2, p. 420). "The Tsar-sun" was compared by Rybakov with Scythian Colaxay - "Sun-king" (Rybakov, 1994, 434). He compares a legend stated by Herodot, with popular Slavic fairy tale on three empires. Three brothers-bogatyrs (hero) release princesses, stolen by Serpent or the Whirlwind. They extract three empires: Copper, Silver and Gold, last of which was got by younger brother. (Rybakov, 1994, 578 - 580).

It is necessary to note that Dazhbog was considered as a deity of white light, instead of a star. The sun was thought as his crown. In this quality Dazhbog it is similar Mitra. And Hors was considered as a solar disk.

Rybakov results norrth Russian an embroidery on which the horseman. "The Horseman is unusual: the head of him is given as romb filled with crosses and a figure with eight beams. His hands were raised to the sky" (Rybakov, 1994, 500 - 501). The scientist considers that this is Dazhdbog and writes that in Russian embroideries such plot a rarity. But in arts and crafts of Ob-Ugrians the horseman with the hands lifted to heavens is the most typical image. This is Mir-Susne-Hum ('Behind the world observing person'), their national hero whom, it is similar Dazhdbog is the god-son.

Mir-Susne-Hum is considered younger son Num-Torum, supreme god of Ob-Ugrians (Ostyak - Hant and Vogul - Mansi) pantheon (and peoples Samodi groups), but frequently are carried out with a role of the defender of people before anger of the father. "Each night Mir-Susne-Hum goes round the ground on winged all-seeing horse with a gold mane and silver hoofs, checking, whether all in the world in the order, and transferring people orders of father Num-Torum. He hears requests of shaman (near to sacral place four metal plates with images of the sun put for hoofs of a horse). Mir-Susne-Hum helps treatment of illnesses, assignment of dangers. To him functions of the Cultural Hero are attributed (he has created abundance, there is no time reigned on the ground; has won essences hostile to people; ordered to birds fly in the summer in northern territories and has trained people in hunting for birds) and the breeding patron of Ostyak - Hant and Vogul - Mansi" (Myths of nations of the world, 1998, v. 2, 153 - 154). The idea of the sacred king charged by divine energy which should not go on the black ground is present at many cultures (and not only so-called "arrested persons in development" but also, for example, Etruscan culture). However there are in image of Ob-Ugrian hero traces of Indo-European influence. It is not occasionally as Ob-Ugrian closely communicated with them in the west (Scandinavians), a southwest (Slavs) and the south (Iranians). Therefore is not surprising similarity Mir-Susne-Hum with Mitra ('Looking all earth'), Dazhdbog and is especial with Odin (eight-winged horse, creation of people, the invention of a network, authority above birds, travel, transformation, a role of mediator).

It is necessary to concern with the big care to comparison epic characters with mythological images. Nevertheless, two basic characters of Russian heroic epos - "Bylinas" - Ilya Muromets and Dobrinja Nikitich were repeatedly compared to pagan gods - Perun and Dazhbog accordingly. It is necessary to recognise there are considerable bases. Symptomatically name of Muromets - Ilya. Prophet Ilya (Saint Elias), as it was already spoken, has replaced Perun in national consciousness. Ilya Muromets victory above the Nightingale-Robber (Serpent-Horned-Falcon Belorussian folklore songs) corresponds to a victory of the God of the Thunder agaimst Serpent. Evolution of the God of Thunder in the hero, certainly, is not absolutely typical (usually a prototype of late heroes of the epos our initial type of the Cultural Hero) naturally serves. However sometimes, for example, in the Scandinavian mythology the God of the Thunder has many features of the hero. In "Younger Edda" the myth about Thor and Heyrred is similar to a history of visiting by Ilya Muromets of Svjatogor's father. The Scandinavian myth tells about how Thor has struck artful giant Heirred in his house, having thrown in him the heated piece of iron. In the Russian legend Ilya stretches to the blind father of giant Svjatogor same iron instead of hand shake. Similar similarity can not be casual.

With identification of the Slavic God of Earth Powers there is no problem for east Slav Veles (Volos) likes Balt Vels. He was popular and considered as the god of "all Russia" in counterbalance Perun - to the patron of a princely warriors. In Kiev Perun's idol stood on mountain and Veles's idol down, in the bottom part of city. In ancient Russian sources Veles is the god of cattle and riches. "The Word about Igor's regiment" names legendary poet Boyan (probably, living at court yard Yaroslav Wise) 'Veles's grandson', that reflects connection of the God of Earth Powers with ceremonial and, in genesis - priestly functions.

Among names of female deities mentioned in sources are most powerful Ziva, Mokos and Lada . Ziva has got an analogy in Nurystan myths (relic Aryan pagans of Hindu Kush). When gods have suffered defeat in struggle against demons, Nurystan goddess Zhivud has brought the huge bull with which help the gods have got the victory (Myths of nations of the world, 1998, v. 2, 229).

Extremely important character of East Slav pantheon was goddess Mokos (Makosh). Her name connect with a verb 'to become wet'; and with 'mokos' - spinning; treat as 'mother of a happy lot, a crop'. All these values do not contradict each other, and show various sides of a uniform image - "goddesses of fertility, water, the patroness of female works and the maiden destiny" (Rybakov, 1994, 392) and going back to an image of the Great Goddess. Mokos was the unique female character among idols of the pagan gods put by prince Vladimir in Kiev. Rybakov believes, that she is represented on one of four sides Zbruch idol with a drinking horn in a hand. In many medieval sources she is mentioned together with Russian mermaids. Probably, Mokos mean in Russian folklore as 'Mother the Crude earth'.

В. Ivanov and I. Toporov compare Makos with Greek Moirae, Germanic-Scandinavian Nornir spin strings of destiny, Hittite goddesses of the Underworld-spinners, Iranian Ardvisura Anachita (also granting good luck). Scientists believe that she continues the image of female deity - the thunder god's wives in Slavic mythology. (Myths of nations of the world, 1998, v. 2, 169).

Other important female character of Slavic mythology was Lada , the goddess of a marriage, connected with spring ceremonies.

Speaking it is necessary to mention deities of fertility and often images in ancient Russian jeweller art of the winged dog connected to runaways and roots of plants. Rybakov has identified it with. Slav mythology knows it as Semargl , mentioned among sculptures of the pagan gods put by prince Vladimir in Kiev. The scientist, like K.V. Trever compares this name with Persian Simurg - a king of birds and it prototype: ancient Iranian Senmurv . (Trever, 1933). Persians represented Senmurv as winged dog covered with the fish scales, living on Tree All Seeds. It revives in memory Kreta-Minoan and Mikenean the geniuses of fertility (like wolves) serving the Great Goddess. There is a question, in what attitude these images are men-wolves Vendel period of Scandinavia, already considered by us. (above mentioned man-wolf not only carry the weapon and attack 'dancing warriors', but also eat a certain ear, holding it in hands-paws). Whether it is possible to connect peace and friendly Senmurv with Fenrir who murd Odin ? It is known in Zoroastrian representations there was a sharp division between a good dog and the demonic wolf. But whether it is a consequence of splitting there is no time a uniform image? What mythological tragedy stood up for similar division? The question remains open.

It is necessary to note that among Slavic peoples in the most full structure the pantheon of east Slavs is known. To the god of the Clear Sky corresponds Svarog, to the God of Thunder - Perun , to the God of Earth Powers - Veles , to the Cultural Hero - Dazhbog / Yarila, the Great Goddess - Mokos , Lada and others. Thus, especial development worship the Cultural Hero has achieved in western Slav mythology: actually, the majority of their known gods (Svantevit, Herovit, Porevit etc.) can be considered as an embodiment of this type.

The conclusion.

Menu

For consultations or tutoring: history, political science, cultural science, art criticism, painting and theories of composition; purchase of pictures and also installing of advertising - E-mail: fantalov@hotmail.com