Saturn. Mythology and legends of different nations.

The most famous gods of people gave their names to heavenly stars. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter - all these names are taken from ancient Roman mythology. Did not ignore the ancient and the planet Saturn. The mythology associated with this heavenly body, originates in the beliefs of the various peoples who inhabited our planet in the distant past.

Ancient India and China

In Indian beliefs, each certain heavenly body was associated with a certain god. Like many ancient peoples, the Indians were not monotheists - before us came the names of a lot of strange and amazing entities with which Indian mythology is so rich. Saturn, like other celestial bodies, personified one of the oldest and most powerful Indian gods - Shani. This disgusting ruler was portrayed on a large black bird - a crow or a kite. For the earthly observer, one of the slowest celestial bodies is Saturn. The mythology of India as it is impossible by the way transferred the sluggishness and old age of Shani.

Ancient Egypt

This heavenly body and ancient Egyptian astronomers also did not pass over this attention. The Egyptian mythology of the planet Saturn denotes this heavenly body, as the hypostasis of the god Horus. The Egyptians portrayed him as a creature with a human body and a bull or falcon head. In Egypt, Gore valued very highly - according to legend, it was he who ruled the kingdom of the living, was a brave and just ruler.

Ancient Greece

In ancient Greece, the planet Saturn was identified with the titan Kronos. According to legend, the ancient Kronos at the dawn of time rules the world. But the moury predicted to him that one of the children of Kronos would overthrow him and he himself would become the supreme god. Therefore, Kronos ate his offspring. This continued until his wife decided to save her son, and brought Kronos instead of a baby Zeus an oblong stone wrapped in diapers. Kronos did not see the substitutions and swallowed the stone. This was the beginning of his end. The grown up Zeus dethroned Kronos and himself became king of the gods. Kronos forever lost power on Olympus.

The ancient Greeks did not like Kronos, did not build monuments to him, considering him a murderer and a devourer of children. But in Ancient Rome, he was expecting a completely different fate.

Ancient Rome

On the Apennine peninsula, the ancient planet was first given the name "Saturn" known to us. Mythology associated with it, in many respects similar to the ancient Greek version. But the Romans treated Saturn with respect. According to their beliefs, after the overthrow from Olympus Saturn came to sunny Italian land and began to rule the people along with Janus. He taught people farming and gardening, showed how to grow grapes and get wine. He was revered by the Romans, as the ruler of the "Golden Age" in which there were no rich and poor, and all were healthy and young. One of the names of the territory of the ancient Romans is Saturn.

Mythology connects people and gods through various sacraments and ceremonies. One of the most ancient Roman temples, built in 497 BC, was dedicated to this ancient deity. According to custom, the state treasury was kept in the temples of Saturn. In addition, Saturn was dedicated to a great holiday, held in early December - Saturnalia. At this time, servants and gentlemen exchanged places, everyone exchanged gifts and had fun. These festivities were seen as a remembrance of the golden age of abundance, equality and freedom. The celebration lasted about a week. Despite this relaxed veneration of Saturn, on the ancient Roman frescoes this titan was portrayed as an evil, stern and rather greedy old man. All his wealth was earned by hard work, and he was not going to share with others. It was believed that people living at their own expense, will be sure to be heard and rewarded by Saturn.