This post has a noble purpose. I want to popularize old Slavic, especially Croatian, mythology. All other mythologies have all the spotlight in the modern pop culture. I know it is tough to beat Thor or Hercules, but at least I will try to show how old religions shaped my nation's customs.
Before I even write anything else I want to thank
To truly know your self you must know where did you come from. Following this thought I am going to share with you some of my people's history.
I am a Croat, and history of my people is very, very complex and turbulent. So I will focus just on one thing, our religious beliefs before we converted to Christianity.
There are not many people today who remember the old ways, but many aspects of our "pagan" ways are subtly incorporated in modern every day life.
There are not many sources on old Slavic customs, and those that do exist came from the enemies of the Slavs. Because of their hostile origins some records are questionable, at least. Byzantines actually believed Slavs can turn into wolves on some occasions. I have tried shapeshipting couple of times, it didn't work, so I believe that was just their way of dehumanising us.
All folk tales and mythology was passed along orally from one generation to the next so tales still live on to some extent.
Truth is that all Slavic religions originated from the original Protoslavic beliefs, but due to diversification of tribes also the belief system changed from one tribe to another.
What remained in common to all Slavs is that the main god, most powerful god is Perun. He is the master of the mountains, lord of thunder and many other titles. He is also seen as a protector of farmers. In Croatia many of the mountain peeks today and some hills are named Perun. Also the valleys near to these hills are called Veles, who is Perun's counterpart. National flower of Croatia is also named after him, it is Perunika, or as the old folk call it God's plant. It is believed this plant grows only on places hit by thunder. (Another reference to lord of thunder)
And like any ancient god he needs his counterpart and that is Veles. But if you thought Perun is a good god, and Veles an evil god, that is where you are wrong. Slavs disn't believe in good - evil dualism that is most common today. They were simply opposite elements like water and fire, both of them had their meaning and purpose.
Veles was god of earth, water, cattle, music and magic. He was protector of cattlemen. According to legends he lived in the roots of the All-tree, so that made him also the guardian of the underworld. To honour him and to help him keep the spirits of the deceased away from the surface, young man would dress in sheep fleece and wear cattle skulls. This custom today is very popular in Croatia and it is performered 40 days before Easter. In Croatian, another world for cattle is "blago", meaning riches- Veles was also a god of wealth, so in Croatia today when you say * Fist full of beard * it means good fortune or big wealth - and that refers to Veles beard because one of his main characteristics is a big beard.
Now, of course they were brothers and sons of a first god, the creator of everything, mighty Svarog. It is not completely clear how Perun captured the mantle of the mightiest god from Svarog, it was never explained in any myth or story.
And this is why I must thank
Those were just the main characters of the Slavic pantheon. There are many, many more. Not just gods, but also fairies, monsters, nymphs and beasts.
If you want to read more about other Slavic legends leave a comment. And remember, this is for a good cause - I have a dream, .... that one day there will be a movie blockbuster about characters from Slavic legends..hahahha.
Thank you for reading.
Image source :
http://www.croportal.net/forum/fotografija/slavenska-mitologija-i-fantasy-72439/stranica4/
https://rudolfabraham.photoshelter.com/image/I0000Zz4h9IVYDNM