Today, the world's leading religions are monotheistic. In other words, they are based on faith in the only God. But once monotheism was a rarity, and most people believed in many higher powers. Monotheism before the spread of Christianity was available to the ancient Jews, and even in certain segments of existence This people. Other nations were revered by many higher powers, including the Slavs. Unfortunately, in our time there is not much information about the faith of our ancient ancestors. It is known that the Slavic pantheon of the gods included many bright characters. For example, Yarilu, Svetovita, Kupailu, Kolyada, personified the sun. But the Slavic pantheon of the gods also contained "functional" characters: Semargla, the lord of death, Veles, the ruler of the deceased, the god Perun, whose activities made him something like the Greek thunderer Zeus, and Stribog, the master of the wind.
Interestingly, all the celibates worshiped by our ancestors were considered one Family. The Slavic pantheon of the gods came from the Rod. He was an ancestor of other supernatural beings and Slavs proper, according to their beliefs. In other words, there was a supreme being, the other celestials were his assistants. The entire Slavic pantheon of the gods resembles a genealogical tree. Dachshur - Rod, his sons - Lada, Semargl, Makosh, Svarog. The grandsons were Dazhdbog, Yarilo and Khors. The next generation is people. Many Slavic tribes considered themselves to be children of Dazhbog. The lowest level of this hierarchy is leche, banners, brownies, kikimors, mermaids and other mythical creatures. The Slavic pantheon of the gods contained characters whose life activity was associated with solar activity. For example, Horsa was revered during the period beginning with the winter solstice and ending with the vernal equinox.
The most famous of such deities was Yarilo. Our distant ancestors linked their faith to no small degree with the Sun, which they revered. This explains the presence of "solar deities." The Slavic swastika, known as the Kolovrat, symbolized the Sun.
The pantheon of Slavic pagan gods, basically, consisted of bright, kind forces. But the dualism of the vision of the world was peculiar to most peoples, and ours is no exception. The Slavs revered Belbog (Svetovit) as the guardian of good, truth, purity. However, in their mythology there was also an antipode to it. Chernobog - the patron of the dark forces. Both participated in the activities and life of nature.
Veles was known as the patron of animals and plants. In general, he personified all the forces of nature. They tried to appease him to increase the number of livestock and crops.
The pantheon of the Slavic gods personified the forces of nature. But, on the other hand, he was anthropomorphic. That is, it was believed that the gods were in direct relationship with people.
Some of the lexicology will help to understand the faith of the Slavs more widely. The very word "god" in ancient times did not signify an omnipotent and supernatural beginning. It was used in the sense of "luck, happiness, share." This word retained this meaning for a long time. Hence, apparently, and a wise statement attributed to A. Nevsky: "God is not in power, but in truth."