Religion of the ancient Slavs. Perun - god of thunder and lightning Perun Slavic god thunderstorms, god of thunder and lightning. Perun was considered the patron saint of warriors. And Perun’s main feat was that he returned fertility to the Earth, returned the Sun and rain. Perun had his own oak tree and his favorite flower, the iris, which blooms when the first thunderstorms thunder.
Dazhdbog - the god of the Sun The ancient Slavs considered Dazhdbog the god of the Sun. Dazhdbog means “giver of all blessings.” Dazhdbog rides across the sky in a beautiful chariot drawn by four white, golden-maned horses with golden wings. And the sunlight comes from the fiery shield. At night he crosses the Ocean on a boat drawn by swans. The Slavs believed that the Sun God would help them.
Yarilo Yarilo is the god of reviving nature. This Slavic mythological character is associated with the idea of fertility and spring power. Sometimes Yarila appeared before people in the spring as a boy on a young stallion, in the summer as an adult man on a strong horse, and in the fall as an old man on an old horse. People knew: winter would pass, and Yarila would return.
Lada - goddess of love Lada is the goddess of love, beauty and charm. Lel was the eldest son of Lada, the second son was Polelya, the god of marriage. He blessed people for everyday life, a family path full of thorns. Third son of Lada Did, god of marriage. Like his brother Polelya, Did is always young. Goddess Didilia is the guardian of the clan and children, also from the Lada family.
The god of thunder, god of lightning and god of weather is often the highest heavenly god, such as Zeus. Kronid or Kronion in Ancient Greece or Perun in Slavic peoples, whose symbol is a mace.
As a "thunder arrow" or "diamond scepter" is considered in India and Tibet a ritual object used in Tantric Buddhism in order to "split ignorance and liberate knowledge." In Japanese iconography, the god of thunder was depicted as a red-painted figure of the god Raiin with a crown of eight drums in the form of tambourines. In general, thunder is considered an impressive and tangible embodiment of the power of the celestial sphere, which, on the one hand, threatens a person, and on the other, protects him from creatures hostile to him.
Perun - god of thunder and lightning, patron of warriors
Perun is the god of thunder and lightning, the patron saint of warriors. According to the Slavs, Perun appeared with his lightning on the warm days of spring, fertilized the earth with rain and brought out the clear sun from behind the scattered clouds. With his creative power nature awakened to life, and he seemed to be creating the World again. Hence Perun is a producer, a creator. At the same time, Perun is a formidable and punishing deity; his appearance excites fear and trembling. Animals, children, and prisoners were sacrificed to Perun; an oak tree was dedicated to him, from which, according to legend, living fire was produced; solemn oaths were pronounced in his name, for example when concluding treaties. The ancient worship of Perun was transferred to the Christian era to the prophet Elijah. Perun was represented as a middle-aged husband: according to the ancient Russian chronicle description, the head of his wooden idol was silver and his mustache was gold. Perun's main weapons were stones, arrows, and axes, which were objects of pagan cult.
I had to Slavic tribe split up and move to other lands. The land here produced rich harvests and could feed many people. Flax and hemp were grown. Stormy centuries have passed historical events. The Slavs who settled in the fields along the middle reaches of the Dnieper were called glades. Our ancestors, the Slavs, came from Asia to Europe in ancient times.
Rolling thunder, heavy rain, lightning all over the sky, even to modern man these natural phenomena inspire some fear. Imagine what it was like for people who lived ten to fifteen centuries earlier!
At that time man had just begun to master natural secrets, much was unclear to him. And everything that could not be explained from the point of view of logic or science, he explained by the existence of supernatural forces and gods. The god of thunder and lightning was the most important among other deities in those days. It was he who was worshiped most of all, feared and revered.
Perun is the god of thunder, lightning and war among the Slavic peoples. It was believed that he struck those who were guilty or somehow angered him. In order to appease Perun, animals were sacrificed to him, and a symbol in the form of lightning was carved on every house. His name appears in many historical sources. For example, in the Tale of Bygone Years, written by Nestor, Neptune is mentioned more than ten times. The god of thunder and lightning caused awe and fear among the Slavs; they even said: Perun will grab you!, which meant a wish for troubles and misfortunes.
People believed that Perun punishes for non-compliance with special laws. It was believed that Perun would send down stones, axes, arrows and, of course, thunder and lightning on those who did not please him. If a family or even an entire village was plagued by crop failures and, as a consequence, hunger and disease, this meant the intervention of Perun and served as a reminder that people lead a riotous lifestyle and do not work enough.
The god of thunder and lightning was one of the first explanations of unknown natural phenomena. The cult of Perun originated more than three thousand years ago. However, they were not only afraid of him, but also asked for his well-being. People believed that in the case of regular sacrifices and unconditional reverence, Perun would grant them prosperity, relieve them of diseases, and ensure that the harvests were rich.
Perun was considered the progenitor of all Slavs. In addition to idols carved from wood, people also had images of God: he was a powerful warrior with blue-black hair with gray hair and a long fiery beard.
IN Kievan Rus the god of thunder and lightning became an object of worship back in the 6th century. Later, as it turned out from numerous studies of paganism, the development of this cult was facilitated by Prince Vladimir himself. Even after, on his orders, Christianity was adopted in Rus', the wooden idol symbolizing Perun was not burned, like many other figures of gods, but was floated along the Dnieper. Vladimir could not do this, since the remnants of the former faith in pagan deities were still firmly seated in the heads of people. He was afraid to completely destroy the symbol of a prosperous life and successful conduct of military affairs.
The times when people massively believed in pagan gods are gone. However, even now there are those called Old Believers: they, continuing the traditions of their ancestors, worship the most ancient gods, among whom, of course, is Perun.
Perun - pagan god of thunder and lightning in mythology Eastern Slavs and belongs to their pantheon of gods. Patron of monarchs, symbolized their power. He patronized everything related to military affairs: the patron of warriors and combatants. The Slavic-Greek treaties say that the promise was spelled in the name of Perun. In the same treaties, the Slavic god Veles was in the background. The cult of this god of thunder and lightning took shape with the emergence of leaders and the transition to military democracy, and the emerging military class had more power than the ministers of the cult.
According to mythology, Perun right hand there was a bow, and in the left was a quiver of arrows. The arrow he shot caused fires. The royal scepter and judge's rods originated from the hammer - a symbol of Perun's power.
Perun, as the thunderer, is identified with military functions, which identifies him with such characteristics as strength, the inviolability of contractual obligations and oaths. Those who worshiped this idol had the consciousness of a fighter, with all the ensuing consequences. Worshipers of Perun believed that everything should be resolved with the help of force and weapons, no treaties or apostasy.
Perun was a pagan god, and some information about him is contained in the Gustyn Chronicle. Perun is also mentioned in the story of the “Mama’s Massacre” of Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy, where Perun and Mokosh are mentioned as pagan gods of the Tatars, who in their view were wicked.
Perun can be correlated with Zeus - the god of thunder and lightning in Greek mythology and Jupiter - Roman mythology.
Zeus was also the god of the sky. according to mythology he was the one who owns the whole world. As mentioned above, Zeus is identified with Jupiter, the Roman god. which comes from Greek. The symbols of Zeus were an eagle, a double ax and a shield. Olympus is considered its place. Its functions, in addition to those listed above, include the distribution of good and evil in the universe. In addition, he can act as a prophet, harbinger, seer of the future.
Temples in honor of Perun were always built on hills, and the highest place in the area was chosen. Idols were made mainly of oak; this mighty tree was a symbol of Perun. Sometimes there were places of worship of Perun. arranged around an oak tree growing on a hill, it was believed that this is how Perun himself means best place. In such places no additional idols were placed, and the oak tree, located on a hill, was revered as an idol. Bulls were sacrificed to the god of thunder, and they were killed directly at the temple, cutting the throat, and when the blood stopped flowing, the carcass was buried immediately in the ground.
Perun is the thunder god, he is capable of causing severe thunderstorms and throwing lightning. Perun also has enormous physical strength, which makes him stand out not only among people, but also among other gods. Like his brothers, Perun is an excellent magician: he is able to change his appearance at will, can fly and create ghostly creatures. which disappear when the magic stops working.
First of all, Perun is the patron of warriors; he was revered after great victories, and also asked for help before major battles. But the deity’s sphere of influence was not limited to military affairs: Perun protected Reality from creatures from Navi, expelling them with lightning and fire back to another world.
Veles was always openly opposed to Perun. and history has preserved many myths and legends about their mutual hostility. However, this cannot be called enmity in the literal sense of the word; they are more like two brothers who inflict petty mischief on each other in order to attract attention to themselves.
Sources: www.symbolsbook.ru, 900igr.net, fb.ru, ezoterical.ru, bestiaria.ru
- the embodiment of light, the god of goodness, luck, happiness, goodness, the personification of the daytime and spring sky. His sanctuary was on a hill open to the sun, and Belbog’s numerous gold and silver decorations reflected the play of rays and even at night illuminated the temple, where there was not a single shadow, not a single dark corner.
Veles is one of greatest gods ancient world, son of Rod, brother of Svarog. His main act was that Veles set the world created by Rod and Svarog into motion. Veles - “cattle god” - master of the wild, master of Navi, powerful wizard and werewolf, interpreter of laws, teacher of the arts, patron of travelers and merchants, god of luck.
Dazhdbog is the god of the Sun, the giver of heat and light, the god of fertility and life-giving force. His name is heard in a short prayer that has survived to this day - “Grant, God!”
Dogoda is the god of quiet, pleasant winds and clear weather, the complete opposite of his fierce brother, the patron saint of the winds, Pozvizd.
Karachun is the god of cattle death and death from frost.
Karachun is the second name of Chernobog.
Kolyada – ancient god cheerful feasts, it is believed that his name is derived from the word “kolo” (circle). Teacher of the Third Law of Life. He told people about the Great Kolo of Svarog, about the Day and Night of Svarog, and also established the first calendar.
Kryshen, the son of the Almighty and the goddess Maya, was the brother of the very first creator of the world, Rod, although he was much younger than him. He returned fire to people, fought on the shores of the Arctic Ocean with Chernobog and defeated him.
Lel is the god of love passion in the mythology of the ancient Slavs, the son of the goddess of beauty and love Lada. The word “cherish” still reminds us of Lela, this cheerful, frivolous god of passion, that is, undead, to love.
Ovsen is Kolyada’s younger twin brother. He got the role of putting into practice the divine knowledge that Kolyada taught people.
Ozem is the god of the underworld, the guardian of the earth's depths.
He protects gold, silver and copper ores.
Perun is the god of thunderclouds, thunder and lightning, the most famous of the Svarozhich brothers. Perun is the patron saint of warriors and the princely squad, the ruler god, the punishing god for non-compliance with laws, the protector of Reveal, the giver of male strength.
Rod - creator god visible world. Everything born by Rod still bears his name: nature, homeland, parents, relatives. The clan gave birth to Svarog, the great god who completed the creation of the world.
Svarog is the creator god of earth and heaven. Svarog is the source of fire and its ruler. He creates not with words, not with magic, unlike Veles, but with his hands, he creates material world. He gave people the Sun-Ra and fire. Svarog threw a plow and a yoke from the sky to the ground in order to cultivate the land; a battle ax to protect this land from enemies, and a bowl for preparing a sacred drink in it.
Svyatobor is the god of forests and woodlands. He predetermines the fate, life and destiny of all inhabitants of the forest, ensuring harmony and agreement in nature.
Svyatovit is a deity identical to Svarog among the Western Slavs.
Semargl is the god of fire and the moon, fire sacrifices, home and hearth, keeper of seeds and crops. Could turn into a sacred winged dog.
Stribog - to the east Slavic mythology god of the wind. He can summon and tame a storm and can turn into his assistant, the mythical bird Stratim. In general, the wind was usually represented in the form of a gray-haired old man living at the edge of the world, in a dense forest or on an island in the middle of the ocean.
Perun is the Slavic God of Thunder, God of thunder and lightning. They imagined him as a middle-aged, angry husband with a red, swirling beard. Let us immediately note that a red beard is an indispensable feature of the God of Thunder among the most different nations. In particular, the Scandinavians, neighbors and relatives of the Slavs in the Indo-European family of peoples, considered their Thunderer (Tooa) to be red-bearded. Needless to say, the fiery golden color of the Thunder God’s beard is by no means accidental!
The hair of the Thunder God was likened to a thundercloud. Scandinavian legends note that an angry Thor "shaked his hair." It is not definitely said what color Thor’s hair was, but the Slavic Perun’s hair is really like a thundercloud - black and silver. It is not for nothing that the statue of Perun, which once stood in Kyiv, is described in the chronicle as follows: “The head is silver, the mustache is gold.”
The Slavs saw their God rushing among the clouds on horseback or in a chariot drawn by winged stallions, white and black. By the way, the magpie was one of the birds dedicated to Perun, precisely because of its black and white coloring.
The name Perun is very ancient. Translated into modern language, it means “He who hits hard”, “Striking”. Some scholars see a connection between the name of the Thunder God and words such as “first” and “right”. As for the “first”, Perun really was the most important God in the pagan pantheon of Kievan Rus and, probably, the eldest son of Svarog. The similarity of his name with “right” is also not without meaning. Perun was considered by our ancestors to be the founder of the moral law and the very first defender of Truth
Perun’s chariot rushing desperately thunders across the uneven clouds - that’s where the thunder comes from, that’s why it “rolls” across the heavens. However, there were different opinions on this matter. They also said that thunder and lightning are the echo and reflection of the blows with which Perun rewards the heavenly Serpent, who seeks again to rob the Gods and people - to steal the Sun, cattle, earthly and heavenly waters. And in distant antiquity it was believed that thunder was actually a “cry of love” at the wedding celebration of Heaven and Earth: it is known how well everything grows after a thunderstorm...
According to some sources, Perun’s lightning was of two kinds: lilac-blue, “dead,” striking to death, and golden, “living,” creative, awakening earthly fertility and new life.
It has long been noticed how clean the air is and how easy it is to breathe when the thunderstorm has passed. The pagan Slavs found an explanation for this too. The whole point, they said, is that devilry runs away in fear before Perun's wrath, hides in holes and for a long time does not dare to stick his head out!
Perun, largely “responsible” for fertility, has special treatment to bread. A legend has been preserved about how a certain unreasonable woman went to the field to work on the holiday of Perun (July 20), which, according to custom, was impossible to do. The angry Perun initially restrained his anger. But when the child, left at the boundary, soiled his diapers and the mother wiped him with a bunch of ears of grain (according to another version, a piece of baked bread was desecrated) - trouble broke out: a whirlwind arose and carried away the entire harvest into the cloud. Some of it still managed to be threshed back, but the “hundred-eared” bread (a hundred ears on each stalk) was never born again...
The legend about the origin of pearls is also connected with heavenly thunder. The Slavs believed that it originates from the reflection of lightning captured in the eyes of a pearl mollusk at the moment when it fearfully slams its shell shut at the sight of a thunderstorm...
Perun's weapons were initially stones, later - stone axes and finally - a golden ax: The gods “progressed” together with people. Since ancient times, the ax - the weapon of the Thunderer - has been attributed miraculous power. An ax was used to hit the bench on which someone had died: it was believed that by doing so death would be “cut down” and expelled. The ax was thrown crosswise over the cattle so that they would not get sick and would reproduce well. With an ax they drew the Solar Cross over the sick person, calling on two brothers-Gods for help at once. And symbolic images of the Sun and Thunder were often engraved on the blades of axes. Such an ax, planted in the door frame, was an insurmountable obstacle for the evil one.
evil spirits seeking to penetrate human habitation. There are truly countless customs and beliefs associated with the axe. Even the well-known chicken god“, a pebble with a hole in the middle, which caring owners are now trying to hang in the chicken coop, is nothing more than a memory of an ancient stone ax, one of the symbols of the pagan God of the Thunderstorm...
Another symbol of Perun is the so-called thunder sign, similar to a wheel with six spokes. Scientists believe that ancient people used the shape of a snowflake here, because Perun’s sanctuaries were built as close as possible to the clouds and the Sky - on the tops of mountains (at least in the most elevated places), where snow appears first. This sign can still be seen on old huts - it was cut both for beauty and for purely “practical” reasons - as a lightning rod...
When the Slavs had princes and fighting squads, Perun began to be considered the patron saint of warriors. Therefore, some researchers now write that Perun is an exclusively “army-princely” God, not at all popular among the common people. It is unlikely that this was really the case! After all, a thunderstorm is not only a heavenly battle, it is also necessary for a plowman waiting for the harvest. And Perun’s main feat was precisely that he returned fertility to the Earth, returned the Sun and rain.
An animal was dedicated to Perun - a wild aurochs, a huge, mighty forest bull. Perun has his own tree - oak, and he also has a favorite flower, which in Bulgaria is still called “perunika”. It has six lilac-blue petals (a sign of thunder!), covered with golden hairs (lightning!). It blooms in the spring, when the first thunderstorms thunder. This flower is very beautiful, and is called iris - in Greek “rainbow”, because there are different varieties of irises different color. The scientific, Latin name of perunica is Iris Germanica.
The sanctuaries of Perun were built under open air. They had the shape of a flower; in those sanctuaries that have been excavated by archaeologists, there are usually eight “petals”, but in ancient times, according to scientists, there were six. The “petals” were pits in which unquenchable sacred fires burned. A sculptural image of God was placed in the middle. Now the word “idol” has a somewhat contemptuous connotation in our speech (remember, for example, “filthy idol”), sometimes we even hear that the ancient Slavs “believed in idols.” But this is the same as saying that Christians “believe in icons.”
An altar was placed in front of the image of God, usually in the form of a stone ring. Offerings were placed there and sacrificial blood was shed: most often animal blood, and if the people were threatened with serious misfortune, then human blood. Life has always been considered a sacred gift of the Gods human sacrifice was an extraordinary, exceptional act. And we must also take into account that, according to scientists, the person designated as a sacrifice did not necessarily burst into bitter tears and try to escape. Sacrifices were also voluntary: a person went to the Gods to tell them about the needs of his people, ask for help, and avert trouble.
The Orthodox Church forbade prayer to the former Gods, and the sanctuaries were destroyed with the same unnecessary cruelty with which churches were destroyed almost a thousand years later by militant atheists. And we know the myths ancient Greece much better than yours...
God Perun is the Slavic God of thunder and patron of warriors. He is considered one of the most important characters in the Slavic pantheon of Gods. Perun was revered by many peoples. The cult of God Perun was attested among the southern Slavs. Among the Polabian Slavs, it is reflected in the name of the day of the week Thursday - “perendan”, just like, for example, Thursday (Thursday) - Thor's day. By the way, both Thor and the Slavic Perun are thunder gods, and it is no coincidence that the same day of the week is named after them. Perun is the god of warriors. Today many people think so. But in reality this is not entirely true.
God Perun was the son of Svarog and Lada. Legend says that the birth of Svarozhich was accompanied by an earthquake and thunderstorm. The Book of Kolyada says:
“Then thunder rumbled in the sky, then lightning flashed in the clouds, and the Son of Svarog, Perun the Thunderer, was born like lightning.”
Even in infancy, God Perun, along with his sisters, the goddesses Zhivaya, Marena and Lelya, were kidnapped by the Skipper-beast (half-man, half-scorpion) guard other world. The beast plunged the baby into eternal sleep, and turned the goddesses into monsters. The eldest sons of Lada went to save their brother, turning into prophetic birds - Sirin, Alkonost and Stratim throughout the world. They searched for the baby for a long time, but could not find him. The Svarozhichs were completely desperate, but suddenly they noticed the Skipper-beast at the entrance to the dungeon. When he saw the Svarozhichi, he immediately disappeared... The brothers rushed into the dungeon and found God Perun, sleeping soundly. Over the past years, he grew up and matured, but his brothers could not awaken him from his sleep. Then the Svarozhichi sent the bird Gamayun to the Burdock Mountains for the holy surya - living water. They washed my brother with it, and he stood up alive and well. When God the Thunderer came to his senses, he immediately said that he would take revenge on the Skipper-beast and free the sisters.
The Slavic Perun overcame many obstacles before reaching the lair of the Skipper-beast. He found his sisters and broke the spell. He himself went to the Skipper-beast in order to destroy the monster. They fought for a long time, but finally God the Thunderer raised his enemy and threw him to the ground. The Earth opened up and swallowed Skipper forever. After this victory, God Perun returned to the world of Rule.
Many more legends are associated with the Patron of Warriors. How he fought with the Sea Monster to prove his valor to the father of his future Wife, how he turned Diva-Dodola into ladybug for betrayal, how Navi went into the world with the children of Chernobog to fight and much more.
IN AND. Dahl writes about him this way:
“In Belarus - this is a tall, broad-shouldered golovach, black hair, black eyes, a golden beard, and in his right hand a bow, in his left a quiver with arrows; he rides across the sky in a chariot and shoots fiery arrows.”
Perun strikes with a “thunder arrow” - lightning - his sworn enemy Veles, who stole Perun’s cattle. Veles unsuccessfully tries to hide from “thunder arrows” in wood, stone, man, animals and water. And only in the underworld Veles finds refuge.
Peasants in the Tver province at the turn of the 19th–20th centuries said this:
“If God burns a tree with lightning, then he wants to destroy the devil hiding in its branches. If lightning strikes a person, it is only to kill the devil hidden in him. For this He rewards the one killed in the next world.”
The ancient Slavs were pagans until Prince Vladimir baptized Rus' in 988. However, this process was long and painful, since all the Magi and those who did not want to renounce the faith of their fathers and grandfathers were executed. With fire and sword, as the chronicler said, the state was implanted new religion, the old one fell into oblivion. The ferocious god of thunder and lightning, the main character in the pagan pantheon of the Slavs, could not do anything...
In the 17th century, Adam Orle Arius wrote in “Travel to Muscovy and Persia”: “The Novgorodians, when they were still pagans, had an idol called Perun, that is, the God of fire, for the Russians call fire “Perun.” On the spot where their idol stood, a monastery was built, which retained the name of the idol and was called the Perunov Monastery. This deity had the appearance of a man with silicon in his hand, similar to a thunder arrow (lightning) or ray. As a sign of worship of this deity, they kept a fire made from oak wood that was unquenchable, day or night. And if a minister carelessly allowed the fire to go out during this fire, he was punished by death.”
PERUNOV SANCTUARY
The god of thunder and lightning among the Slavs, as well as among the Hellenes, was considered the main one. When spring came, Perun, according to legend, sparkling with lightning, fertilized the earth with generous rains. And after that he brought out the gentle sun from behind the black clouds. Awakening nature after winter sleep, God seemed to once again create the world, so he was often called the creator. The god of thunder and lightning aroused fear and awe because he was a punishing force. He punished mortals with a fiery arrow that caused fires, and also sent downpours, storms and hail, hunger, disease, and crop failure. But he also had thunder arrows in his arsenal, which fell from the clouds and went deep into the ground. After a certain time (three to seven years), they returned to the earth’s surface again in the form of oblong stones of a dark gray or black color. These are belemnites - icicles that form in the sand from a lightning strike. People wore them as a talisman that could protect them from fire and thunderstorms.
Similar ideas about Perun’s “unquenchable fire” are confirmed by archaeological data. V.V. In the mid-20th century, Sedov excavated a round platform with a post hole in the center near Novgorod in the Permn tract. Around the site there was a ditch with eight extensions, which, according to scientists, were fire pits for lighting fire.
It is known that in Novgorod, as in Kiev, the idols of Perun stood on the hills. Thus, in the third Novgorod chronicle (988) one can read: “... and destroy Trebshtsa and cut down Perun, who in the great Novegrad stood on Peryn.” Obviously, Sedov discovered the ancient sanctuary of Perun, which was discussed in the chronicle.
On the Kiev hill, the idol of Perun stood during the time of Prince Igor. As the chronicle of 945 reports: “The next day Igor called the ambassadors and came to the hill where Perun stood, laid down his weapons and shields, and gold...”. Next we talk about the oath that the Rus take when concluding an agreement with Byzantium. According to custom, the Rus swore by their gods - Perun and Veles.
The Lithuanian thunder god, Perkuias, according to legend, also lived on a high mountain, which was called Perkun Mountain.
PERUNOV OAK, FEATHER AND TABOO
Of the animals, a horse was dedicated to Perun, and of the trees - an oak. Throughout the area of settlement of the ancient Slavs, the names of hills and mountains called Perunovs are known. The names “Perunova Grove” and “Perunov Oak” are also known. It was in such places that the sanctuaries of Perun were located. Thus, in the deed of gift of the Galician prince Lev Danilovich, dated 1302, it is said: “... and from that mountain to Perunov Oak, the mountain slope became the possession of the Bishop of Przemysl.” As we see, the possessions of bishops can be limited by pagan toponyms.
Explaining the meaning of the word “jerun” is somewhat difficult for modern researchers. So, V.I. Dahl cites catchphrases on this score: “If only a pyarun would crack you!”, “All around him, from the clouds, thundering Peruns shine.” Dahl cites words with the same root: “to trample, trample, straight.” And in fact, the expressions have been preserved: “Where are you going?”, “Staring,” “stabbed with a knife.” Obviously, they indicate semantic proximity to the forgotten word “Perun”.
Some researchers suggest that Perun comes from the word feather, hence feathered. It is assumed that in the old days Perun had the image not of a person, but of a bird (a similar image: the firebird).
However, other researchers point out that the word “Perun” is an onomatopoeia for the sound of thunder. As proof, the Slavic analogues of Perun are cited: Pererun, Pererug, Preperud, Priorusha. Apparently, the Thunder God's true name was taboo.
Appearance and attributes
Perun is the Slavic god of thunder and lightning. The Romans called him Jupiter, the ancient Greeks called him Zeus. They are similar in appearance and perform almost the same functions. But among our ancestors it was still closer to people than in the Mediterranean.
The god of thunder and lightning among the Slavs looked like a stately and mature man of tall stature. He had a long golden beard and black straight hair. He sat on a fiery chariot drawn by winged stallions, the roar of which the Aryans considered thunder, or on horseback. He always had a bow and a quiver filled with arrows. He could also have a large club, stones, and an axe. Perun's sacred animals were the horse, the tour (the god often took his form when traveling on earth), the crow and the magpie.
The chronicler Nestor claimed that the idol of the god Perun, which Vladimir erected in Kyiv during his first religious reform, was made of wood. But his head is cast from silver and decorated with a golden mustache. God patronized warriors and rulers, but he was also represented as a plowman and blacksmith. Perun's attributes were a ploughshare and a stone, his symbol was red-hot iron and boiling water. The tree of the main god was considered to be oak, from which living fire could be obtained, and the flower was blue iris. They swore an oath in the name of the Thunderer, and it was impossible to break this solemn oath, because this could entail the wrath of God. To appease Perun, sacrifices were made to him - poultry (rooster), cattle, and in earlier times, people - prisoners or children.
“PERUNOV’S ARROWS” AND “BLUE BERETS”
Perun's main weapons were arrows and axes, as well as Perun stones (among the Poles), now called belemnites. From the standpoint of ancient Orthodoxy, all these objects of pagan cult were called “ungodly things.” Meanwhile, weapons were of great value to ancient warriors. The god of thunderstorms was already given a military function in the Indo-European tradition. In Russia, he was considered the patron of the military squad and its leader, the prince.
In the Christian tradition, the functions of Perun are partially transferred to Elijah the prophet. It is not for nothing that this saint is still considered the patron saint of paratroopers today. Maybe it’s not for nothing that paratroopers bathe in fountains on their day. By doing this, they unwittingly revive the long-standing tradition of blessing water on Elijah’s Day. “Fist fights,” which are also regularly organized by paratroopers, are reminiscent of ancient youthful games in honor of Perun.
Initially, in ancient iconography, Elijah the prophet was depicted on a chariot or on a horse. He strikes with his formidable weapon a serpentine enemy, which corresponds to the ancient Veles, and in later versions of the myth - Zmiulan. Thus, Ilya Muromets from Russian epics has every chance of being considered the successor of the Ancient Slavic Perun.
PERUN AND ILYIN'S DAY
The day of the Old Testament prophet Elijah is called Elijah's day. It is celebrated in the new style on August 2, and in the old style it was celebrated on July 20. The peasants tried not to work on this day. They believed that whoever violated this prohibition would be struck by lightning. On this day, a leg of lamb, new honey, ears of fresh rye, and green peas were brought to church as a sacrifice. On this day the water was blessed. Rituals involving pouring water on women were often performed. According to historians, these rituals basically go back to pagan cults associated with causing rain and even human sacrifice. After Elijah's day it was forbidden to swim. Rain making rituals are still practiced in some places. For this purpose, they catch a snake, cut it lengthwise and hang it on a tree. In these rituals, faith in an ancient myth is visible like a drop of water. The man who killed the snake is likened to God who killed the serpent. Like attracts like. And it rains. Sometimes, in order to cause rain, a fire is made on the outskirts of the field and a killed snake is thrown into it. Obviously, such actions reproduce the ancient ritual of worship of Perun.
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