What were the gods in Ancient Rus?

Before the adoption of Christianity, our ancestors, the Slavs, worshiped the whole pantheon of the gods. In some localities, they differed significantly. History has preserved more than a hundred names, whose functions are quite definite and utilitarian. It is commonly believed that the gods of Ancient Rus divided into several levels. First - the main god, after him - the gods of the Sun, then - the gods of everyday life, the latter - the forces of darkness.

The Supreme God and his pantheon

Let us consider in more detail how the pagan gods of Ancient Rus differed.

The list is headed by the supreme god of the Slavs - Rod. It is located on top of the divine pantheon. Rod - the ancestor, the creator and ruler of all life. He himself does not have a physical body and is a disembodied spirit, existing everywhere, not created and having no beginning and end. Is not it very similar to the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu idea of God? The genus is capable of bursting with thunder, throwing lightning, shedding rain. In his management, life and death, the abundance of the fruits of the earth and poverty. Everything is subject to him. No one saw him, but he sees everyone. His name is now present in words symbolizing the most important of our values - "homeland", "relative", "spring" (in the sense - pure water), "rhodium" (fireballs, that is fire), "birth", " "Harvest", etc.

The god of the Sun follows the power and significance. In Ancient Russia, he has four exploits: Kolyada, Svarog, Yarilo and Dazhdbog. All incarnations are seasonal. In autumn, winter, spring and summer, people expect each of them to receive appropriate assistance. Each of them is associated with ritual meetings and seeing off, known in the people as big holidays-festivals. Even at the present time we are happy to make pancakes on Shrovetide, weave wreaths and burn bonfires on the night of Ivan Kupala, we are guessing at Christmas trees.

The participation of divine essences in everyday life

The gods of Ancient Russia, whose list is very large, are mysterious entities that influence the whole cycle of life. They are divided into three stages according to authority among other deities and in importance in everyday affairs. The upper one is the gods responsible for global, national issues: wars, weather, fertility. Medium - deities more local management - patrons of crafts, women's worries, hunting and fishing, agriculture. They all look like people.

The lowest level is assigned to spiritual beings, the appearance is essentially different from the gods and people. These are all kinds of forest and house creatures - mermaids, woodpeckers, brownies, kikimors, ghouls, bannies, etc.

Kolyada

Without Kolyada, Yaril, Kupala and Svetovid it is impossible to imagine the paganism of Ancient Rus. The Gods responsible for the seasons begin their cycle with Kolyada.

Kolyada, or Horse, reigns on the earth from December 22 to March 21 - from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox. This is the Sun-baby. Welcome his arrival in December. Celebration lasts two weeks, until January 7, at the peak of winter, when agricultural work is not being conducted, and a short daylight day does not have to do with needlework. These days are well known as Christmas trees.

By the holidays, they specially fattened and slaughtered cattle, opened barrels with pickles and sugars. Thrifty owners of excess were transported to the fairs. Most of the cattle were allowed at that time from the burden of calves, kids, lambs. Adult animals were allowed to eat and sold, and dairy uteri with newborn cubs were satisfied with one portion. Everything was very reasonable and expedient.

Christmas-trees - the most fun time with songs, games, fortune-telling, matchmaking and weddings. These are the days and nights of unrestrained fun, friendly gatherings, plentiful feasts and perfectly legitimate nothingness. Kolyada was praised with special songs - thanked for keeping the reserves, asked for a warm, snowy winter, health to themselves, their relatives and domestic cattle. It was customary to show generosity and mercy to the poor so that Kolyada and benefactors could not bypass their mercy.

Jarilo

Next come the more adult solar gods of Ancient Rus. The list continues Yarilo (Ruevit, Yar, Yarovit) - the sun-god of a young age. Where will look, there the field will be zakolositsja where will pass or take place, there useful plants will ascend. Yarilo is also responsible for the fertility of animals. He is described as a young guy, riding on a sky on a white horse. In his hands - bow and arrows, bare feet, on the head - a crown of rye ears with field flowers. His time is from March 21, when nature is actively awakening from winter sleep, and until June 22. Food supplies by this time are running out, and there are many jobs. In the spring, the day feeds. Peasants plow and sow the land, planted on the nest of chickens, check grazing, put in order the houses and outbuildings. Rituals that please Yarila are held right after the day of the spring equinox. Intensive labor ends on the day of the summer solstice, when the luminary turns back.

Dazhdbog

Dazhdbog, or Kupaila, Kupala, - the god in its prime, a mature man. His parish is celebrated on the longest night of the year - June 22nd. The gods of ancient Russia, according to legend, like noisy holidays. At the wires of Jarila and the meeting of Kupala, they play games, burn the effigy of Yarila, jump through the bonfires, start wreaths on the water, search for the flower of the fern and make wishes. The gods of Ancient Rus and the Slavs react to them with a good disposition.

As you know, our ancestors lived well and freely. They knew how to work well, and to have fun from the heart. In the season of Dazhdbog, the land gives all the juices to the fruits planted in it. A long light day and a lot of work - hay making, harvesting the first harvest, harvesting fruits for the winter, repairing and constructing the dwelling - demanded of our ancestors selfless labor. In the summer a lot of work, but it is not difficult, when Dazhdbog helps rain and sunny days. September 23, the day of the autumnal equinox, the power of Dazhdbog ends.

Svarog

The fourth age of the sun god comes with the day of the autumnal equinox on September 23 and ends on December 22, the day of the winter solstice. The God of Ancient Russia Svarog, or Svetovid, is an old god, the husband of the Earth, the father of the Sun, Dazhbog and the gods of the most significant natural phenomena. Dazhbogu he gave the fire and gave the power to throw thunder and lightning. In legends he is represented by a gray-haired old man. His time is a period of prosperity, satiety and peace. The people have been enjoying the reserved fruits of the earth for three months, playing weddings, arranging fairs and not worrying about anything. According to the chronicles, the god of Ancient Russia Svarog is a tall man with four heads on four necks. He looks to the north, south, west and east. In his hand is the sword, by which God will break the forces of darkness.

Perun

Perun is the son of Svarog. In his hands - lightning bolts and bow-rainbow. The clouds are his face, beard and hair, thunder is the verb of God, the wind is breath, and the rain is a fertilizing seed. The Vikings and the Vikings believed that the best god in the pantheon was certainly Perun. God of what in ancient Russia is the son of Svarog and Earth? Endowed with a steep and changeable temper, the formidable and mighty Svarozic is considered the patron of the brave warriors. He gives them luck in military affairs and strength in confronting any opponent.

Slavs ascribe to him love and patronage for blacksmiths and plowmen. Both of them performed the hardest work, and Perun patronizes everyone who does not shy away from putting physical strength into his work.

Perun - the god of war in Ancient Russia. Going into combat campaigns or expecting an enemy attack, the Slavs sacrificed to him. The altars dedicated to Perun were decorated with military trophies, armor and weapons. The statue of God was carved from the trunk of the largest tree. Before her, a fire was lit on which a sacrificial animal was burned. Dances with whistles and ratchets accompanied songs containing the words of a request for victory over the enemy.

Velez

Veles is the favorite god of farmers and pastoralists. He is also called the beastly god. Slavs did not share these areas of peasant life - everyone had a beast, and everyone plowed the land. Veles (Hair, Month) is the god of wealth. Initially Veles was identified with Perun. He also commanded the clouds and was a shepherd of heavenly sheep, but later he was instructed to take care of the earth herd. Veles sends rain to fields and meadows. After harvesting, he always left one sheaf unbroken. This tradition is also still preserved. It was the gods of Ancient Rus Veles and Perun who were always the most revered people. They swore our ancestors in loyalty and in a word of honor. This is mentioned in the History of the Russian State by N. M. Karamzin.

Stribog

If we analyze what kind of gods worshiped in Ancient Rus with the greatest zeal, it is mostly the gods of the elemental forces of nature. For modern Russians, the greatest difficulty is not to confuse them with each other. Take the same Stribog. How to distinguish it from Perun, Veles, Povist, Weather and other masters of wind and rain?

Stribog - the lord of the wind, clouds, storms and snowstorms. He is both evil and kind. In the hands of God holds the horn. He blows into it and causes the elements. From his wind, music, songs and musical instruments arose. The understanding of the magical effect of music on the human psyche was born from the sounds of nature - the noise of water, foliage, whistling and howling wind in pipes, crevices and among trees. All this is the Stribog Orchestra. Stribogu pray for rain and for its cessation, as well as for the quenching of a strong wind. Hunters ask for his help before going after a fearful and sensitive animal.

Lada

Most of the information about this goddess survived. Lada - the female embodiment of the supreme god of the Family. Her clothes are clouds, and dew is tears. In the morning haze - the coverlet of the goddess - the shadows of the deceased are moving, which she leads to the next world.

The main temple of the goddess was on Lake Ladoga. The High Priestess was chosen very carefully. This can be compared to how the Dalai Lama is chosen. First, the Magi singled out women most suitable for the role of the mother goddess. They had to be different in mind, beauty, dexterity, strength and courage. Then their daughters, who reached the age of five, were collected for the competition. Several winners became disciples of the Magi. Eight years they comprehended the subtleties of various fields of knowledge, sciences and crafts. At thirteen they were again put to the test. The most worthy became the high priestess - the incarnation of Lada, and the others served as her retinue.

Lade's sacrifices consisted of flowers woven into wreaths, and pancakes or pancakes. They were burned at a ritual fire. It happened on the feast of laudation. The best boys and girls lit torches from the sacrificial fire and, passing the baton, carried it all over Russia. On the morning of the holiday, the priestess spoke. She went out to people dressed in a wreath of the most beautiful flowers. It was believed that at that moment the goddess Lada herself was entering her body and mouth. She talked about what awaits her fellow tribesmen, how to live them, what can and should be done, and what not. If she called the name of a person, then grieve him, if it was a reproof. The whole family turned against the rejected goddess. She could also justify the innocently accused. After the speech, the woman knelt down. It was a sign that the heavenly Lada left the body of the priestess. The Magi put on a beautiful dress, and fun began.

Lada - first and foremost a patroness of women. Under her protection - home, childbearing and love. Some sources draw a parallel between the Slavic Lada and the Roman Venus.

Friday is the day dedicated to Lada. The women rested on Friday. It was believed that any case initiated by a woman on this day of the week, will retreat, that is, to inhibit all other work.

Mokosh

Mokosh, or Maksha, is another goddess guarding the family hearth. In translation from the Old Slavonic, its name means "full purse". Mokosh - the deity of trade, the final harvest, the fruits already available, their realization and the most appropriate use. The statue of the goddess is made holding a large horn. Hands and head are larger than the average person, and are disproportionate to the whole body. She is credited with managing the fruits of the earth. Therefore, another purpose of Mokoshi is the management of fate.

Mokosh with special interest refers to weaving and spinning. Spinning threads in many beliefs associated with the weaving of fate. They say that an incomplete tow can not be left for the night, or Mokosha will spoil the yarn, and therefore, destiny. In some northern regions, she was considered a bad goddess.

Paraskeva-Friday

The goddess Paraskeva-Friday is the successor of Mokosh. She walks in a white dress. Patronizes the trade and youth festivals with games, songs and dances. For this reason, Friday for a long time was in Rus market day, when women can not work. For disobedience, it can turn an insubordinate into a frog.

The goddess is responsible for the cleanliness of the water in the wells, helps to find the underground keys. To Paraskeva-Pyatnitsa always helped, women sew up pieces of woolen towel in their aprons.

Semargle

One of the oldest and, if I may say so, stable gods is Semargle. This god is among the seven most revered. The origin of the name is covered in mystery. Another name, Perelut, seems more Russian, but its meaning behind the prescription of years is lost. Smargle - the only god who has the appearance of an animal - a winged dog. He acts as a mediator between people and gods. Semargle transmits the sacrifices. He is the god of fire.

Once, Semargle brought to the ground a branch of the tree of life. Since then he has taken seeds and crops under his protection. He is the god of plant roots and knows how to heal diseases.

Chernobog

Scary forest thickets, marshes, whirlpools and ponds with standing water. Many legends about the various evil spirits inhabiting them, Ancient Rus preserved.

Slavic gods are not all kind and pleasant for Russian people. Such is Chernobog - the master of evil forces, the god of darkness, disease and misfortune. In his hands - a spear, and the face is full of malice. He rules the night. And although Belobog opposes him, but the evil force subordinated to Chernobog is very numerous and insatiable. They are mermaids, tightening into water pools, sweepers, confusing forest paths, capricious house-houses, cunning banners.

Moraine

Morena, or Marukha, is the goddess of evil and death. She rules the cold winter, rainy night, during wars and epidemics of diseases. She is represented in the image of a terrible woman with a black face, a bony body, a failed snub nose and long curved claws. Her servants are diseases. During the battle, she sucked to the wounded and drank their blood. Morena never leaves herself. She is banished by Perun. During the feast of the meeting of the god Perun, the Slavs mercilessly destroy the idol of Morena.

The penetration of Christianity into pagan rituals

There is an opinion that Christianity for Russians is less close than paganism. It is no mere chance that for more than a thousand years, we have not survived many ancient customs, such as the celebration of Maslenitsa, wedding rituals, homework, faith in a black cat, a woman with an empty bucket, etc. Nevertheless, the advisability of introducing a new religion There is no doubt. At the time of Prince Vladimir, who christened Rus, there was a great disunity between the separate principalities and tribes. Only a common ideology could reconcile all. Christianity became such a binding force. His rituals, the time of celebrations and posts organically entered into the annual cycle of everyday affairs and everyday life, and Christian saints no less effectively help in urgent matters believers who have been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. The very word "Orthodoxy" came from Ancient Rus. The gods of the Slavs helped our ancestors not worse than Christian saints. Appeal to them was the right word, that is, Orthodoxy.

The rejection by many of us of the current form of Orthodoxy is the rejection of church officials who profit in an unjust way. In the pre-Christian times, too, there were priests who weaved intrigues and rich in offerings received by cunning.

The gods of Ancient Rus and the Slavs changed their functions from time to time and turned from good to evil, from one hypostasis to another. Their pedigree in many localities differed. This created conflict situations. The great gods of Ancient Rus have not disappeared anywhere, as the only God, the creator of the whole world, has not disappeared. Simply they began to be called by other names - the names of Christian saints, and at the head of the divine pantheon - the son of the Creator, Jesus Christ, who died martyrically on the cross, in order to atone for our sins. He brought the New Testament - the law of people's love for each other. It was not before him. In former times, disputes were solved only by physical strength. It is right to understand and accept this law - what we need to learn and teach our children. If the pagan gods of Ancient Rus, whose list with different incarnations and transformations, and also in the breakdown on the terrain exceeds hundreds, often served as the reason for the strife between the separate clans, the Christian saints were never the reason for the disunity between the Christians of different faiths.