Bereginja is ... Slavic symbols and amulets

Our ancestors believed that everything around them was inhabited by spirits and mythical creatures. There were evil and good among these entities. The first category belongs to Bereginya. This is quite abstract, but extremely positive.

A goddess or a mermaid?

Legends of the Beregin formed our ancestors from time immemorial. According to most experts, originally this name denoted a deity whose main function was to protect all living things. Bereginya is the personification of all the good and positive forces of nature. It is believed that this goddess protected travelers from the wiles of evil entities in the thickets of forests and swamps, and also sent rains on the sown fields on time.

Bereginya is a kind deity for all who honor the traditions of their ancestors and respects nature. But even it can lead to anger if irrational use of natural resources, pollute water bodies and destroy forests. In some legends and stories, the Beregins are the spirits of nature that live in water bodies. Occasionally they go ashore, usually in the dark. There they swing on the branches of trees and comb their long hair.

Images of Beregin mermaids in folk tales

Bereginja as the goddess of fertility is an embodiment of natural forces and female wisdom. Our ancestors believed that this deity always evaluates a person by his spiritual qualities, purity of heart and thoughts. Good people should not be afraid of meeting Bereginya. But those who do not respect nature or forget the traditions of their ancestors, the goddess could cruelly punish.

A slightly different image of Beregin is described in some separate legends. In a number of folk tales, this name is used to refer to the spirits of water. Bereginis in these legends appear before the observer in the images of young, perfectly built women. They go out at night to the banks of the reservoirs and have fun. Bereguins can not move away from the water, as they will die if their hair dries. Beauties play with each other, sing songs with magic voices, weave wreaths of flowers and hunt down lonely travelers.

Beware of Bereguin young men. Despite the fact that Bereginya is always a kind and harmless spirit, having played out, she can entice the young man he likes into the pool of the lake and kill - tickle. It is believed that the water spirits are afraid of herbs wormwood, it is enough to just throw it in their direction in order to destroy the spell.

Sometimes accused Bereginja and in insignificant harm to mankind. Our ancestors believed that water virgins can steal from women accessories for needlework, tear fishing nets, spoil dams or millstones of mills. Of course, all these tricks were performed for fun, not for malicious intent.

Origin of Bereguin

There are several versions of how Beregini appeared. According to the most romantic of them, clean girls who died before marriage became good spirits. Often Beregin is depicted with beautiful, but sad faces. Such images become the reason for the belief that these creatures are the regenerated souls of girls who have committed suicide or have been subjected to violence.

According to another version, Bereginya is the spirit of a wise woman with a kind heart, a strong leader of her own kind.

What does Bereginya look like?

Our ancestors believed that Bereginya has very long hair of light or greenish shade. Before people, this deity arose in the image of a beautiful green-eyed woman with perfect facial features and body proportions. Bereginian mermaids often appeared in front of the travelers in the nude, but sometimes they could be dressed in lower shirts. Their hair is often decorated with flowers. Bereginya (as the personification of natural forces) can be depicted in rich folk clothes. Sometimes the hair of the goddess is braided into thick and long braids, the colors of mature wheat ears.

Symbols of a deity

It should be noted that Bereginya refers to the lower pantheon of the Slavic gods. Our ancestors perceived it, rather, as a mythical helper and defender. In this case, the image of this being remains quite abstract, without pronounced individual characteristics.

There is also a Slavic symbol. Bereginya is a fleece, symbolizing fate itself and fate. Often, this sign is considered a reminder that the higher forces can both give life to a person, and take it away.

Each Bereginya has a magic crest. She she combs her long hair. With this object, the spirit can flood any place. The favorite tree of Beregin is birch - a symbol of the Russian land. People's folklore often describes water virgins swinging on the branches of weeping willows growing near the water.

Берегиня - folk doll

In some regions of our country, the folk doll Bereginya is also known. It's about a powerful amulet, not a child's toy. Our ancestors revered their women as guardians of the home, caring mothers and wise wives. The collecting image of the doll included all the best qualities of female nature.

Most often this guard was placed opposite the front door. Its main function was to protect the dwelling from evil spirits and people with unkind intentions. A kind and long-awaited guests doll Bereginya was to meet and attract into the house. In some regions, this amulet, on the contrary, was considered personal. Such puppets were hidden from prying eyes and only occasionally they were taken out, being alone, to thank or ask for something.

Like all other Slavic amulets, the doll Bereginya was supposed to be made by an experienced master with the observance of many rules and rituals. Today, this knowledge is owned by only a few. And yet we are ready to tell you the general rules for creating your own defender.

Master class on making amulets

To work on any amulet you should start alone, with a calm mood and pure thoughts. Prepare all the necessary materials in advance. The main rule is that the Bereginya doll should be made without a single stitch with a needle. To work you will need a piece of natural white and red cloth, thread in tone, you can use laces and ribbons of suitable shades. If possible - take a bit of birch bark for the body of the future doll.

Start by making the frame. It is necessary for him to fold a bark wire or cloth. If your doll is completely textile, bend the twisted flap in half and use a thread to scroll the head on the trunk. When using a birch bark duct as a base, textile bundles-hands and a head-are threaded separately to it.

Bereginya is an amulet who has no face. But for the manufacture of the head it is of fundamental importance to use a white cloth.

Before you begin to make a doll outfit, it is important to shape her figure. In the Slavic traditions, Bereginya always had a magnificent breast. This part of the body is also made of a tissue roller, drawn by threads.

The next step is clothing dolls. From the fabric flaps you have to make a skirt, shirt and apron. Remember that you can not use a needle, all elements must be attached only with thread. Do not forget to make a hat. To attract prosperity and prosperity to the house, you can additionally attach a bag with grain and a coin to Beregin's body.

Is there a place for Beregin in the modern world?

Most modern people consider the traditions of our distant ancestors hopelessly outdated and irrelevant in the modern world. Many do not even know the meaning of Beregin's words, and in vain. After all, like this god, there must be a real woman. It's about a good hostess, mother and wife. During her life, each fair sex plays many roles: from daughter to grandmother. At every age you should strive to cultivate in yourself and show only the best qualities of character. The Bereginya woman will always be happy and able to build a strong and united family.