Slavic paganism was filled with a special meaning of the harmonious coexistence of man with nature. The Slavs believed in gods and spirits, presented them with gifts, made sacrifices. Perhaps, if it weren’t for the geopolitical necessity of adopting Christianity, Slavic paganism grew into an independent religion with its own ritual and traditions. In our small study, the most unusual pagan rites of the Slavs are presented.
1
First name
Our ancestors took seriously the issue of choosing a name, because it was believed that it was a kind of amulet. Wise Slavs, to ensure the child a happy fate, several times gave their child a name.
The first was given by the father at the birth of the child. Having cut the umbilical cord, he showed it to the sun, called the name, thus acquainting the child with the heavenly luminary. The second name was given by the priests upon reaching the age of 12. A temporary children's name was washed away in holy water.
Changed the names and girls who got married. They washed away the past life in a river or lake, as well as in the Temple. Young men, having accomplished a feat, or who were on the verge of life and death, could also change their name, but only in the flowing water.
By the way, there is an interesting article on the most beautiful lakes in the world on our site most-beauty.ru.
2
Bath rite
Unlike "barbaric" Europe, the Eastern Slavs paid great attention to cleanliness, and therefore there was a special bathing rite.
Before him it was necessary to appease the spirit of the bath, the so-called banner, and at the entrance give him a low bow. Then the plot is read, and after reading it, a bucket of water is poured onto the stone. The broom evenly disperse the steam throughout the room.
Washing in the bath was a kind of cleansing of the body and soul. The broom was considered the main one in this rite, since it was with its help that the devils could be expelled from the body. No wonder the bath broom was called the owner, and a lot of sayings were invented. “A broom in a bathhouse is more expensive than money”, “A bathhouse without a broom is like a table without salt” and others.
3
Land unlocking
As soon as the snow melted, the Slavs performed the ritual of unlocking the earth. It was believed that the keys to it were at Veshniy Yegoriy, so he was asked to open the earth.
Entire villages went into the fields, chose a guy, and called him “Yuri”. His clothes were decorated with green branches, they gave a torch in his hand, and a round cake was laid on his head. With such a leader, they went around the fields and asked to open the ground for fertility, and to protect cattle from death and disease.
In some settlements, there was a custom when on Yegoriev’s day women naked rode through the fields. At the same time, they said: "As we ride, so let the bread grow." On the same day, water was sanctified, and in the evening they organized cheerful festivities.
4
Russian week
It is known that mermaids live in ponds, and unmarried girls who drowned or did not die of their own death become mermaids. In some Slavic tribes, it was believed that mermaids, in addition to water, can live underground.
A week before the Trinity (Green Christmas time, Semik or Spirits day) they left the reservoirs, and settled in forests and groves not far from residential settlements. This was a special time when it was not recommended to leave the house, walk alone in the forest and in the fields. Domestic cattle were not allowed on pastures either.
It was believed that it was at this time that the mermaid could take a man to her, or take his soul. The girls and women were especially afraid of the mermaids, so they tried not to conduct housekeeping these days. They did not bake bread, did not wash, did not clean the house. The week was considered to be festive, because in the evenings there were celebrations with dances, round dances, jumping over bonfires.
5
Trizna
In the series of funeral rites of the Slavs, trizna occupies a special place, as it was arranged in memory of the dead soldiers. It consisted of a funeral feast, and also held games, competitions in memory of the dead warrior.
The tradition of arranging a trizene is rooted in antiquity, and therefore has preserved the multiple archaic features of the funeral rite. First of all, they carried out a trident in order to drive away evil spirits from living people. The word "trisna" itself indicates a complex of measures. This is the ablution of the deceased, his dressing, followed by burial or cremation.
Prior to the penetration of Christian traditions in Russia, the Slavs burnt the dead on special platforms - stealing. There was also a tradition of being interred or burned in a boat.
Finally
Many traditions are mentioned in Russian chronicles after the adoption of Christianity, and Orthodox holidays have preserved elements of ancient pagan traditions. The Slavs clearly separated the world of the living and the world of spirits, into which it was forbidden to enter a mere mortal. Religious representations of the Slavs are widely represented in Russian epics and tales, which reflects the main philosophical meaning of life - the eternal struggle of Good and Evil.
Posted by Valery Skiba