In the Far North, according to Russian folklore tradition, there is a wonderful island surrounded by the waters of the Sea-Ocean, and the World Mountain rises above it. Buyan Island is often identified with this fabulous place. For the ancient Slavs, Buyan Island is a sacred concept, because it is presented as the "first land" that emerged among the waves of the primitive ocean. The world axis is also located here and the source of eternal life beats
On the island of Buyan, speaking symbolically, the "seeds" of all living things are stored. Powerful forces are concentrated here: spring thunderstorms, thunders, winds. The most ancient creatures, birds and animals live on the brawler, for example, the serpent, the elder for all the snakes, the bird, “all the mother birds”. In the center of Buyan Island, under the mighty world oak that connects all three worlds - the underground, earthly and heavenly worlds, lies the Alatyr stone, i.e. "All stones are a stone." From under the Alatyr-stone springs of living water are gushing - they resurrect nature, grant the earth harvests. All rivers originate under it. He keeps the sources of everything on earth, there is nothing in the world harder than this stone. It is not for nothing that for centuries they have been “locked up” with all oaths and conspiracies. Here is hidden a mighty force "and there is no power of that end."
Rugen Island now.
A large panoramic shot of where the city of Arkona is believed to have been.
The fabulous island with all its property was supposed to have a material "reflection", and some researchers compared Buyan with the earthly island of Ruyan, where, according to legend, there was one of the largest Slavic sanctuaries - Arkona with the temple of the god Svyatovit, the patron saint of earth and war.
Ruyan Island (Rügen in German) lies against the Danish coast and covers an area of almost 1000 square meters. km; all its shores are indented by deep and secluded bays and coves, and some toponyms of the God Stone or the Holy Mountain - surprisingly remind of the mythical stone - Alatyr.
On the northern tip of the island, on the small Vitove peninsula, the remains of the sanctuary of Svyatovit, public and residential buildings were found. It was there that the fortress city of Arkona was once built. It stood on a high steep bank, from which the white chalk
rocks. The deep blue sea splashed beneath him. Numerous merchant ships and fishing boats sailed across the sea, because the ancient trade route from the North Sea to the Baltic passed by the Ruyan Island. Here and now there is very busy shipping - there are passenger ships, huge sea ferries, fishing trawlers.
Promotional video:
In the central square of Arkona stood a wooden temple surrounded by a palisade. A large gate led to the courtyard. Inside the sanctuary there was an idol of Svyatovit. According to the 12th-century Danish chronicler Saxon Grammaticus, this idol was taller than a human being, with four heads sitting on four necks separated from each other and one camp. The gaze of the idol was thus turned to all four directions. His beards were shaved and his hair cut off, according to the custom of the locals.
In his right hand Svyatovit held a horn, lined with different metals, which was filled with wine every year; the left arm was bent in an arc and rested against the side. Clothes went down to the knees and tightly connected with them. At the idol lay a huge sword with a sheath and a hilt, trimmed with silver and exquisite carving, a saddle, a bridle, and many other objects dedicated to him. In addition, the entire temple was decorated with horns of various animals.
Saxon Grammaticus claims that there were three more sanctuaries on the island dedicated to the gods Ruevit, Porevit and Porenut, and besides Arkona, there were several large villages, the names of which appear in today's townships of Rugen: Poozeritz, Gustov, Zelin and others. These names were given by the Wends, the Slavic inhabitants of the Baltic coast. The name Svyatovit (or Svantevit) is formed from two words: "svan-te" - saint and "vit" - light. God is a warrior - for him they kept a white horse with a long mane and tail, never trimmed. The high priest of the god Svyatovit alone had the right to enter the temple.
After the harvest, the idol was offered as a sacrifice pies and a large round cake made of sweet dough, as tall as a man. After the solemn blessing of the entire Ruyan, or, as they said, the paradise people in the name of Svyatovit, the sacred celebration ended with an orgy: not to eat all the sacrifices - the pies brought to Svyatovit and not get drunk until unconscious - meant to offend the deity. As a broadcaster of divine will, the high priest had an extraordinary influence on the entire ranks of the people. The temple was famous for the splendor and wealth collected over the years of veneration of Svyatovit, and the treasury of the high priest was guarded by three hundred soldiers.
North German chronicler of the 2nd century. Adam Bremensky writes with respect about the Slavs, the direct neighbors of the Germanic tribes: “These people are extremely hospitable and most of all respect their parents. Among them you will never find a person left in distress or poverty. If someone is sick or weak due to old age, then he is taken into care. Hospitality and caring for the elderly are considered the first virtues among the Slavs, "and regarding the Ruyans, he adds:" The Ruyane is a very brave Slavic tribe, without whose decision, in accordance with the law, no social decisions are made. They are feared because they are in close relationship with the gods, or rather demons, to whom they give more reverence than others."
For a long time, the Ruyans controlled the shores of the Baltic with the benefit of their own trade. Danish pirates have repeatedly tried to seize the island. But neither desperate pirates nor brave Vikings could take the earthen fortress of Arkona. However, in 1043, the Danes destroyed the Slavic naval base Enibor (Emburg). Then the Ruyans and Prussians turned for help to the Norwegian king Harald III the Severe, so nicknamed because he was quick to reprisal. Everyone remembered well that as a young man, Harald left Norway for Russia, where he served Yaroslav the Wise, and also married his daughter Elizabeth, about whom he composed the poem "The Visa of Joy". Returning to Norway, he soon became the sole ruler of it, but he also claimed Denmark. In alliance with the Norwegian king, the Ruyans decided to take revenge on the instigators of all misfortunes in the Baltic.
General plan of the location of Ruyan's religious buildings from the air
In 1050, the Danish-Frisian city of Hedeby, which was the main storage and transshipment point of goods in Eastern and Western Europe, known as "Scandinavian Corinth", fell victim to an attack by the soldiers of Harald the Harsh. In 1066, its destruction was completed by the Wendish pirates. For a while, Danish trade was paralyzed. But in 1168, the Danish king Valdemar I, with cunning and cunning, managed to break into the rana fortress and overthrow the wooden god Svyatovit into the waves of the blue sea. The fall of the temple and the burning of Svyatovit took place on June 15, on the day of St. Vitus, and by the will of the Danish king Valdemar I, a Christian temple of St. Vitus was erected on the site where the idol stood.
Over the past centuries, Ruyan, who became Rügen, alternately belonged to Danish, Swedish and German princes. At Cape Arkona, the remains of giant earth fortifications are clearly visible - an ancient fortress of the Baltic Slavs (Wends). Judging by the remains of huts and household items, the people who lived on the island were skilled fishermen and hunters, successfully engaged in agriculture and crafts.
In the recent past, Rügen became the health resort of East Germany: here, along the picturesque shores with golden beaches, sanatoriums and rest homes, campings and pioneer camps were built. In addition, Rügen is a state reserve, where many species of plants and animals have survived that have disappeared in other European countries. Seals and giant turtles live in the coastal rocks. Swans winter in warm bays. And in the blue sky you can see a soaring sea eagle.
Irina STREKALOVA
UFO No. 21 2009.