In the Slavic culture the pantheon was divided into the functional and solar gods, and the mighty Svarog (sometimes called the Rod) rules them all. In the category of functional deities were Perun, Veles, Stribog and Semargle, each of whom was the patron of a certain category of the population or the master of some power. Solar gods, as a rule, were associated with the seasons, and there were four of them - Dazhbog, Khors, Yarilo and the sovereign himself - Svarog.
Solar gods of ancient Russia
Each of the sunny ancient gods of Rus had power during a certain time of the year. Between the winter and spring solstice (that is, from December 22 to March 21) the god Hors dominated. Next came the time of the reign of God Jarilo - before the summer solstice, on June 22nd. Next came Dazhbog, and it lasted until September 23 - the autumn solstice. Read Svarog was taken in the remainder of the year, until December 22.
Functional pagan gods of ancient Russia
One of the most famous functional gods of the Slavs up to our days remains Perun - the lord of lightning and the patron of warriors, the defender. Veles, whose name is often used to name modern companies, is no less famous - he was the patron of trade, wisdom, magic and books, and also was the ruler of the world of the dead. Despite the fact that Veles died, the god of death was Semargle. The last, the fourth functional god is Stribog, the patron of the wind.
Great gods of ancient Russia
Let us examine in more detail the individual, most famous gods of ancient Rus and the Slavs in general.
Beginning with the description of the Slavic pantheon, it is impossible not to mention Svarog - one of the main gods, the patron of fire and heat. He is a heavenly deity who embodies the mother of all living things. In ancient times he was considered a deity with a feminine beginning, later with a male.
It is interesting that in the Slavic culture the heavenly deities are associated with fire. It is believed that it was Svarog who revealed to people the art of flame management - he taught to process metal, creating forged products and much more. On the other hand, Svarog provided people with laws and knowledge, after which he considered his mission complete and gave the reins to the sons - Yaril , Dazhbog and Khors.
Particularly revered and the god Hors, who according to legend is born on December 22 in the image of a boy-sun, which completes the course of the old sun, and opened the new year. It is a deity with a male principle, which symbolized the desire of youth for knowledge and growth, overcoming difficulties and searching for new solutions. Met Horsa carols, a croquette, a masquerade with the faces of totem beasts. It was customary to burn a wheel on the mountain to help the sun shine brighter, and all this was accompanied by merry folk festivals.
Another famous god is Yarilo, symbolizing the awakening of nature, conception, a new life. He appeared to people as a brave groom who could give a good harvest and strong children.
Dazhdbog, one of the most beloved by the people of the deities, personifies the power of the sun, its warmth, and also the highest laws of the creation of the world. Turning to him, people expected the fulfillment of dreams, getting rid of diseases and other earthly goods. It was believed that this deity gives people both sun and rain.
One of the warlike, but respected gods was Perun - he commanded lightning and thunder, and it was at his command that the clouds could hide from heaven. He was considered one of the creators of the world of deities, because it was his power to eat plants, and life awakened. In addition, Perun was revered in troubled times, as he was the patron of the soldiers, the prince and the squad.
The gods and goddesses of ancient Rus have not been studied as fully as Greek or Roman, but turning to the roots of Slavic culture, one can discover many interesting facts.