Slavic religion is characterized by polytheism and among the numerous gods there is a certain hierarchy. People put different totems , built temples, and also held celebrations and sacrificed. In general, all pagan deities can be divided into two categories: solar and functional. There are other secondary patrons of different directions.
Old Russian gods and goddesses
The group of solar gods includes the following patrons:
- Horse - the god in charge of the winter sun. Represented him as a middle-aged man. A distinctive feature was the red cheeks that appeared from the frost. They portrayed Horsa always sad, which symbolized the impossibility of warming the land in the winter. They connected this god with animals. During the celebrations in honor of this god, the Slavs swam in the ice-hole, sang hymns and conducted dances.
- Yarilo is an ancient Russian god of the spring sun. Represented him as a young guy who had blue eyes and golden hair. Moved Jarilo on horseback or walked barefoot. According to the myths, where he was advancing, flowers appeared. They considered him also the god of youth and carnal pleasure.
- Dazhbog was the patron of the sun and rain. His time was considered summer, so the rains, thunderstorms and other weather phenomena Slavs associated with this god. The ancient Russian god was riding in the chariot in the sky. He gave people warmth and light. The symbols of this god are fire and weapons. That is why he was often portrayed as a warrior in armor and with a weapon, for example, a shield, a spear or a sword. Represented him as a middle-aged man with outstanding blue eyes and long golden hair.
- Svarog - the patron of the autumn sun. They believed that he was the parent of other gods. Svarog was close to people, so he taught them how to properly use fire, handle metal, and also make cottage cheese. He quite deservedly enters the pantheon of the Old Russian gods, because he gave people a plow to cultivate the land.
Functional gods of the Slavs:
- Perun is the patron saint of lightning and warriors. Represented him as a tall man with blond hair and blue eyes. This god of Old Russian mythology skillfully managed with any weapon, and he was also a master of blacksmithing. Perun was depicted with a red cloak, which eventually became a symbol of princes. The day of this god was considered on June 20.
- Semargle is the god of death, who also represented heavenly fire. His duties included the protection of the sun from the negative, which is on the ground. Slavs often depicted this ancient Russian pagan god with a winged dog. People believed that it was Semargle who was the main protector of all mankind and other gods from evil spirits. By the way, there are still disputes over the name and abilities of this deity.
- Veles was
the patron of the wisdom of magic, and also considered him the god of lightning. The totemic beasts of this god are a bear, a wolf and a sacred cow. Veles appeared in different images, so he was often called the "werewolf god." There were this god of magic harp, the music of which fascinated all life around. The ancient Slavs believed that Vesel controls human souls. - Stribog is the god, the patron of the wind . They believed that it was he who patronized the birds and the etheric spirits of the air. Stribog had the strength to control the weather. Bird Stratim is the physical embodiment of this deity. Represented him as an old man with gray hair. He always had a golden bow in his hand. He lived alone and did not communicate with other gods, but at the same time Stribog always participated in battles against the enemies. The idols of this god were mostly placed near water bodies.