we do not know the actual number of Gods. For the 1,000 years that have passed since the baptism of Rus, much has been forgotten or lost. And because of the difference in pronunciation and terms of different Slavic dialects, it is difficult to say whether this or that name is just a synonym or is it a special, separate Deity.
It is reliably known about the existence of at least Svarog, Stribog, Semargl, Perun, Veles, Mokosh, Doli, Nedoli, Dazhbog, Yaril, Kupala, Khors. The existence of Rod, Triglav, Sventovit, Belbog, Chernobog and Mother Earth Cheese, as separate Deities, has not been reliably confirmed and is still disputed.
Since Rod, in many sources it is understood not as a “person”, but as a “family”. Those. worshiping the Rod, they worship the “family of Slavic Gods”, “Slavic (na) Rod”. Triglav, just as often is understood not as a separate deity, but as a trinity of Gods united on any basis. Sventovit and Belobog are often perceived as different names of one God, i.e. in the west his name is Sventovit, and in the east Belobog.
And the very existence of Belobog and Chernobog is questionable. There is an opinion based on the fact that until the XII century there is no mention of these Deities, that Belobog and Chernobog appeared during the dual faith, under the influence of Christianity. Since during this period, native faith and Christianity existed in parallel and adopted certain qualities of each other.
In Rodnoverie initially there was no clear division into black or white, good and evil. At least we have no evidence to prove the opposite. And the emergence of Chernobog and Belobog is a consequence of the adoption of this duality by native faith from Christianity.
Mother of Cheese Earth, is often understood as another name for the goddess Makoshi.
Now we will try to consider each God in more detail and indicate the sources of knowledge about them:
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Historical sources mentioning the Gods
Veles
- "The Tale of Bygone Years": under 6415 (907) g. "… and his men, according to the Russian law, swearing with their weapons, and Perun, their god, and Volos, with God, and approved the world"
Perun
- "The Tale of Bygone Years": under 6415 (907) g. "… and his men, according to the Russian law, swearing with their weapons, and Perun, their god, and Volos, with God, and approved the world"
- "Tale of Bygone Years": under 6488 (980), "… And the beginning of the princess Volodymer in Kyev is one. And put idols on the khlma outside the courtyard of the tower: Perun is of wood, and his head is srebryanu, and ous is gold, and Khrsa, Dazhb'a and Strib'a, and Smargla, and Makosh."
- In the teachings against paganism (Chronicle of Russian Literature and Antiquity Vol. IV, 89, 92, 97, 107): “and approaching the idol and beginning to eat lightning and thunder, and the sun and the moon, and friends to Pereun, Hours, Vilam and Mokosha, we will be overwhelmed and berechyyam, they also nominate distant sisters, and they believe in Svarozhitsa"
Svarog
- “Ipatyevskaya Chronicle”, 1114: “They pray to Svarozhich for the i fire, god for the garlic, but they create it - when whoever has a feast, then they put i and cups in buckets, and drink about their own idols, having fun is not the worst of it heretics"
- In the chronicle of John Malala (XII century): “The same Theosta law ordered the wives to encroach on one husband … and those who are for love do, execute those who command, for this sake the god Svarog was nicknamed … and therefore his son reigned, the name of the Sun, he was named Dazhbog.
- In the teachings against paganism (Chronicle of Russian Literature and Antiquity Vol. IV, 89, 92, 97, 107): “and approaching the idol and beginning to eat lightning and thunder, and the sun and the moon, and friends to Pereun, Hours, Vilam and Mokosha, we will be overwhelmed and berechyyam, they also nominate distant sisters, and they believe in Svarozhitsa"
Stribog
- "The Lay of Igor's Regiment": "Behold the winds, Stribozh vnutsi, blowing arrows from the sea to the brave regiments of Igor"
- "Tale of Bygone Years": under 6488 (980), "… And the beginning of the princess Volodymer in Kyev is one. And put idols on the khlma outside the courtyard of the tower: Perun is of wood, and his head is srebryanu, and ous is gold, and Khrsa, Dazhb'a and Strib'a, and Smargla, and Makosh."
- “Chronicle of Russian Literature and Antiquity” Vol. IV, 99, 108-9: “Idzhyat idol sacrifice … believe Stribog, Dazhdbog and Pereplut, who are spinning him in the rosette”
Dazhbog
- “The Lay of Igor's Regiment”: “Then under Olz Gorislavlichi, it sows and spreads by strife, the life of Dazhdbozh's grandson will perish, in the princely sedition of vetsi people have become a man”
- "Tale of Bygone Years": under 6488 (980), "… And the beginning of the princess Volodymer in Kyev is one. And put idols on the khlma outside the courtyard of the tower: Perun is of wood, and his head is srebryanu, and ous is gold, and Khrsa, Dazhb'a and Strib'a, and Smargla, and Makosh."
- In the chronicle of John Malala (XII century): “The same Theosta law ordered the wives to encroach on one husband … and those who are for love do, execute those who command, for this sake the god Svarog was nicknamed … and therefore his son reigned, the name of the Sun, he was named Dazhbog.
- "Chronicle of Russian Literature and Antiquity" v. IV, 99, 108-9: "to eat the idol sacrifice … to believe in Stribog, Dazhdbog and Pereplut, those who are spinning him in the rose"
Horse
- In the teachings against paganism (Chronicle of Russian Literature and Antiquity Vol. IV, 89, 92, 97, 107): “and approaching the idol and beginning to eat lightning and thunder, and the sun and the moon, and friends to Pereun, Hours, Vilam and Mokosha, we will be overwhelmed and berechyyam, they also nominate distant sisters, and they believe in Svarozhitsa"
- "Tale of Bygone Years": under 6488 (980), "… And the beginning of the princess Volodymer in Kyev is one. And put idols on the khlma outside the courtyard of the tower: Perun is of wood, and his head is srebryanu, and ous is gold, and Khrsa, Dazhb'a and Strib'a, and Smargla, and Makosh."
- “The word about Igor's regiment”: “Vseslav the prince is judging by the people, the prince is the castle, and he himself prowls like a wolf at night; from Kyev to doriskash to the chickens of Tmutorokan, to the great Khorsov and the wolf the path is interrupted.
Makosh
- “The Word about Idols” of the 15th century: “they demand they put and create … Mokoshi diva …. They smear the goddess on Ekatia, but they do this very virgin and honor Mokosh."
- "Tale of Bygone Years": under 6488 (980), "… And the beginning of the princess Volodymer in Kyev is one. And put idols on the khlma outside the courtyard of the tower: Perun is of wood, and his head is srebryanu, and ous is gold, and Khrsa, Dazhb'a and Strib'a, and Smargla, and Makosh."
- In the teachings against paganism (Chronicle of Russian Literature and Antiquity Vol. IV, 89, 92, 97, 107): “and approaching the idol and beginning to eat lightning and thunder, and the sun and the moon, and friends to Pereun, Hours, Vilam and Mokosha, we will be overwhelmed and berechyyam, they also nominate distant sisters, and they believe in Svarozhitsa"
Briefly about the Gods
Veles
He is also often called Volos, very often he is opposed to Perun, as his rival, most likely for this reason Vladimir did not put his idol on the same temple, so that there would be no rivalry between them, and each was engaged in his own business. The patron saint of cattle and domestic animals, apparently, this explains the place for his temple, it was located near the trading areas, somewhere closer to the pier (in the place where the largest amount of livestock from merchants accumulated). Livestock has always been considered a symbol of prosperity, and therefore there was no point for merchants to go to the mountain, so the temple stood next to them. Prince Svyatoslav in his oath mentioned: "If they betray Perun, let them be cut by their own weapons, if they betray Volos, let them turn yellow like gold." So, to some extent, Veles was not only a "cattle god",but also the patron saint of merchants, and therefore the god of gold and prosperity. The mention of him is also found in the tale of bygone years: "And swearing by his weapon and Perun his god and Hair by the cattle god …". A. N. Veselovsky connects his name with the Baltic words wilis, wilci - the deceased and the dead, interpreting it this way: the afterlife is a pasture, and Veles is the shepherd of their souls. The rituals of bringing some animals to the memorial sacrifice are also associated with this. There, among the Baltic peoples, a certain deity Vielon was worshiped. On the day of commemoration of the dead, they slaughtered a pig and invited this deity to the table, and after the meal they burned pork bones. After the baptism, the duties of Veles passed to Nicholas the Wonderworker and he already became the patron saint of the same livestock, those who walk the sea, in particular merchants. To this day, he is the most revered saint.and therefore the god of gold and prosperity. The mention of him is also found in the tale of bygone years: "And swearing by his weapon and Perun his god and Hair by the cattle god …". A. N. Veselovsky connects his name with the Baltic words wilis, wilci - the deceased and the dead, interpreting it this way: the afterlife is a pasture, and Veles is the shepherd of their souls. The rituals of bringing some animals to the memorial sacrifice are also associated with this. There, among the Baltic peoples, a certain deity Vielon was worshiped. On the day of commemoration of the dead, they slaughtered a pig and invited this deity to the table, and after the meal they burned pork bones. After the baptism, the duties of Veles passed to Nicholas the Wonderworker and he already became the patron saint of the same livestock, those who walk the sea, in particular merchants. To this day, he is the most revered saint.and therefore the god of gold and prosperity. The mention of him is also found in the tale of bygone years: "And swearing by his weapon and Perun his god and Hair by the cattle god …". A. N. Veselovsky connects his name with the Baltic words wilis, wilci - the deceased and the dead, interpreting it this way: the afterlife is a pasture, and Veles is the shepherd of their souls. The rituals of bringing some animals to the memorial sacrifice are also associated with this. There, among the Baltic peoples, a certain deity Vielon was worshiped. On the day of commemoration of the dead, they slaughtered a pig and invited this deity to the table, and after the meal they burned pork bones. After the baptism, the duties of Veles passed to Nicholas the Wonderworker and he already became the patron saint of the same livestock, those who walk the sea, in particular merchants. To this day, he is the most revered saint. The mention of him is also found in the tale of bygone years: "And swearing by his weapon and Perun his god and Hair by the cattle god …". A. N. Veselovsky connects his name with the Baltic words wilis, wilci - the deceased and the dead, interpreting it this way: the afterlife is a pasture, and Veles is the shepherd of their souls. The rituals of bringing some animals to the memorial sacrifice are also associated with this. There, among the Baltic peoples, a certain deity Vielon was worshiped. On the day of commemoration of the dead, they slaughtered a pig and invited this deity to the table, and after the meal they burned pork bones. After the baptism, the duties of Veles passed to Nicholas the Wonderworker and he already became the patron saint of the same livestock, those who walk the sea, in particular merchants. To this day, he is the most revered saint. The mention of him is also found in the tale of bygone years: "And swearing by his weapon and Perun his god and Hair by the cattle god …". A. N. Veselovsky connects his name with the Baltic words wilis, wilci - the deceased and the dead, interpreting it this way: the afterlife is a pasture, and Veles is the shepherd of their souls. The rituals of bringing some animals to the memorial sacrifice are also associated with this. There, among the Baltic peoples, a certain deity Vielon was worshiped. On the day of commemoration of the dead, they slaughtered a pig and invited this deity to the table, and after the meal they burned pork bones. After the baptism, the duties of Veles passed to Nicholas the Wonderworker and he already became the patron saint of the same livestock, those who walk the sea, in particular merchants. To this day, he is the most revered saint."And swearing by his weapon and Perun his god and Hair by the cattle god …". A. N. Veselovsky connects his name with the Baltic words wilis, wilci - the deceased and the dead, interpreting it this way: the afterlife is a pasture, and Veles is the shepherd of their souls. The rituals of bringing some animals to the memorial sacrifice are also associated with this. There, among the Baltic peoples, a certain deity Vielon was worshiped. On the day of commemoration of the dead, they slaughtered a pig and invited this deity to the table, and after the meal they burned pork bones. After the baptism, the duties of Veles passed to Nicholas the Wonderworker and he already became the patron saint of the same livestock, those who walk the sea, in particular merchants. To this day, he is the most revered saint."And swearing by his weapon and Perun his god and Hair by the cattle god …". A. N. Veselovsky connects his name with the Baltic words wilis, wilci - the deceased and the dead, interpreting it this way: the afterlife is a pasture, and Veles is the shepherd of their souls. The rituals of bringing some animals to the memorial sacrifice are also associated with this. There, among the Baltic peoples, a certain deity Vielon was worshiped. On the day of commemoration of the dead, they slaughtered a pig and invited this deity to the table, and after the meal they burned pork bones. After the baptism, the duties of Veles passed to Nicholas the Wonderworker and he already became the patron saint of the same livestock, those who walk the sea, in particular merchants. To this day, he is the most revered saint.interpreting it this way: the afterlife is a pasture, and Veles is the shepherd of their souls. The rituals of bringing some animals to the memorial sacrifice are also associated with this. There, among the Baltic peoples, a certain deity Vielon was worshiped. On the day of commemoration of the dead, they slaughtered a pig and invited this deity to the table, and after the meal they burned pork bones. After the baptism, the duties of Veles passed to Nicholas the Wonderworker and he already became the patron saint of the same livestock, those who walk the sea, in particular merchants. To this day, he is the most revered saint.interpreting it this way: the afterlife is a pasture, and Veles is the shepherd of their souls. The rituals of bringing some animals to the memorial sacrifice are also associated with this. There, among the Baltic peoples, a certain deity Vielon was worshiped. On the day of commemoration of the dead, they slaughtered a pig and invited this deity to the table, and after the meal they burned pork bones. After the baptism, the duties of Veles passed to Nicholas the Wonderworker and he already became the patron saint of the same livestock, those who walk the sea, in particular merchants. To this day, he is the most revered saint.and after the meal they burned pork bones. After the baptism, the duties of Veles passed to Nicholas the Wonderworker, and he already became the patron saint of all the same livestock, those who walk the sea, in particular merchants. To this day, he is the most revered saint.and after the meal they burned pork bones. After the baptism, the duties of Veles passed to Nicholas the Wonderworker, and he already became the patron saint of all the same livestock, those who walk the sea, in particular merchants. To this day, he is the most revered saint.
Perun
He was considered the patron saint of princes and squads, warriors of the defenders. First encountered in the "Tale of Bygone Years" 907.: "Oleg and his husbands were taken in an oath according to the Russian law, and they swore by their weapons and Perun, their god, and Volos, the god of cattle, and established peace." After that Igor swore in front of him: “Igor summoned the ambassadors, and came to the hill where Perun stood,” Svyatoslav: “If we do not observe anything from what was said before, let me and those who are with me and under me, we will cursed from the God in whom we believe - from Perun and Volos. " Well, Vladimir also venerated him for the time being, until he decided to baptize Russia with fire and sword. Perun - almost like Zeus, commanded thunder and lightning. He was armed with a club, bow and arrow, and an ax. There is more than one etymological mention of this in the form of names (Belorussian Pärun, lit. Perknas, Latvian Prkons, Indo-European Pardzhanya). And also in many languages it has survived to this day in the form of national ritual sayings: in the Belarusian language, “Nyakhay myane pärun zabe!”, In Western Ukraine, the curse: “Beat you Perun!”: “A kto z nami nie wypije, niech go Piorun trzasne” (the word piorun is still translated from Polish as “lightning strike”).
Svarog
Svarog is the father of Dazhdbog. In the chronicle of John Malala (XII century): “The same Theosta law ordered the wives to encroach on one husband … and those who are for love, execute those who command, for this sake the god Svarog is nicknamed … and therefore his son reigned, the name of the Sun, he was called Dazhbog ". There are several versions: 1) Svarog from Skt. svarga "sky, heavenly". 2) V. J. Mansikki, believes that the Romanians borrowed the words sfarog, varog "dry, flaming" from the Slavs. 3) M. Fasmer connects the name Svarog with the words: svara, svar - that is, "to argue, to punish." B. Rybakov believes that Svarog is the patron saint of blacksmiths and blacksmithing. Citing in his book such lines from the tale of bygone years: “… during the time of his kingdom, a tick from heaven fell, start to fire weapons … The same of Theosta instruct the wives:for one man to put up and walk and mourning [restlessly] … and put in one man one wife and one wife for one man to put up. does not contradict any of the etymological versions, but rather complements them. There is a truth and a very strange theory that Svarog was the supreme god of the Eastern Slavs, who was something like a Christian god - it was put forward by E. V. Klimov. in the article "Monotheism of the Eastern Slavs". But this theory is not supported by anything. Although it was gladly adopted by the neo-pagans (Ynglings, Old Believers, Rodnovers) and at the moment they are promoting it. Unfortunately, nothing else is known about Svarog …- which, in general, does not contradict any of the etymological versions, but rather complements them. There is a truth and a very strange theory that Svarog was the supreme god of the Eastern Slavs, who was something like a Christian god - it was put forward by E. V. Klimov. in the article "Monotheism of the Eastern Slavs". But this theory is not supported by anything. Although it was gladly adopted by the neo-pagans (Ynglings, Old Believers, Rodnovers) and at the moment they are promoting it. Unfortunately, nothing else is known about Svarog …- which, in general, does not contradict any of the etymological versions, but rather complements them. There is a truth and a very strange theory that Svarog was the supreme god of the Eastern Slavs, who was something like a Christian god - it was put forward by E. V. Klimov. in the article "Monotheism of the Eastern Slavs". But this theory is not supported by anything. Although it was gladly adopted by the neo-pagans (Ynglings, Old Believers, Rodnovers) and at the moment they are promoting it. Unfortunately, nothing else is known about Svarog …Although it was gladly adopted by the neo-pagans (Ynglings, Old Believers, Rodnovers) and at the moment they are promoting it. Unfortunately, nothing else is known about Svarog …Although it was gladly adopted by the neo-pagans (Ynglings, Old Believers, Rodnovers) and at the moment they are promoting it. Unfortunately, nothing else is known about Svarog …
Stribog
The fourth idol installed by Vladimir. It seems that it is a continuation of Dazhbog, maybe his brother, maybe someone else … In the "Lay of Igor's Host" it is mentioned: "Behold the winds, Stribozh vnutsi, blowing arrows from the sea to the brave regiments of Igor" - this absolutely clearly indicates the connection of Stribog with the atmosphere and, therefore, with the winds. This fully justifies his connection in the tale of bygone years with dazhbog through the alliance “and”: “Dazhb and Strib” - one sun will burn all the sprouts, and without winds, no rain will come. Stribog is also mentioned in ancient Russian teachings against paganism. Etymologically, I share the point of view of ON Trubachev, who considers unreasonable attempts to find Indo-European archaism or Iranianism in the word Stribog, he quite admissibly substantiates: Slav. * sterti - "spread, stretch", that is, the wind extending along fields, meadows.
Dazhbog
The third idol installed by Vladimir. Dazhdbog, Dazhbog (Old Rus. Dazhbog, South Slav. Dabog, Daibog) is one of the main gods in East Slavic mythology, the god of fertility and sunlight, the ancestor of princes and the Russian people in general. Sun worship is found in all religions to one degree or another. Accordingly, this could not bypass the Eastern Slavs.