Though considered authentic by some slavic neopagans, the book of veles appears to be a forgery from the first half of the twentieth century. Reading this book, one is struck by how nearly perfectly it serves in its main role. This volume is the first known attempt at a comprehensive bibliography of the major aspects of slavic mythology. Scrolling through this hashtag is a great way to improve your general knowledge and also a useful way to start exploring the beliefs of ancient cultures. Slavic mythology is the mythological aspect of the polytheistic religion that was practised by the slavs before christianization. Lucky for us it is possible to restore some of the ancient legends thanks to oral folklore, rituals, folk beliefs and such notes made by ancient chroniclers. Resources about polish and west slavic mythology and paganism. A beginners guide to slavic fantasy in translation. People who were born with two hearts and two souls and two sets of teeth the second one barely visible were believed. It is commonly depicted in the traditional gigantic scaly form and often has three heads that all breathe fire. A handbook greenwood folklore handbooks first edition slavic folklore has great cultural significance and international influence. Folklorists have published a variety of works focused specifically on the topic over the years.
Slavic mythology has two key differences from the wellknown greek and roman mythologies. Popular slavic folklore books goodreads share book. Secondly, the old slavic pantheon of gods is not well documented, so scholars have attempted to recreate the information based on secondary documents. Son of the witch goddess mara who was the ruler of seasons and veles, god of death.
As you are probably aware there is not much out there in the english language. Mar 10, 2019 most of the prominent stories about baba yaga are not about her directly but about heroes who encounter her. Perun is considered to have been the chief god of the slavic pantheon, as traces of him are quite common in slavic folklore, and he fits well the pattern of dominant sky deities. Sep 24, 2017 baba yaga is one of the most terrifying tales in slavic folklore designed to make children behave. Slavic mythology behind the popular witcher series. Creation stories in slavic tradition morgana, netherlands. Unless otherwise noted all links lead to books digitized by books. This book, taken from the mythology of all races, is the most complete study of slavic mythology available. In europe and america, in particular, this has led to new, often reconstructed religions such as wicca and druidism. Fighting old slavic religion, the main goal of the church was elimination of the pagan deities. The religion possesses many common traits with other religions descended from the protoindoeuropean religion. Intro introduction to slavic mythology pantheon the slavic pantheon explore browse our entries on slavic mythology find gods search the holy database of all known gods az index list of deity names from slavic mythology. Since the 1950s the neopagan movement has seen a renewed interest in prechristian beliefs, rituals, mythology and cosmology.
Ashlimans folktexts, a library of folktales, folklore, fairy tales, and mythology. Im looking for books on slavic mythology, folklore, and. In our previous article, we discussed the secrets worlds of prav, nav and yav and how ancient slavic wisdom confirms the multiverse theory. Early origins of ded moroz are in paganism and in slavic folklore. The mythological symbol of the world tree was a very strong one, and survived throughout the slavic folklore for many centuries after christianisation. Slavic mythology is the mythological aspect of the polytheistic religion that was practised by the s. Researchers concerned with early slavic history, religion, ethnography, and archeology will find this book essential. Unfortunately, slavic mythology originated in the days when writing was not a norm, and because of this it has never been recorded officially by slavs but rather by christian chroniclers. Popular slavic mythology books goodreads share book. Slavic mythology cards the witcher is just the beginning. A strzyga is a female demon somewhat similar to vampire in slavic and especially polish folklore. Slavic folk tales and fairy tales are abundant and enduring.
Folklore thursday is a brilliant trend on twitter which showcases some of the most interesting tidbits from international folklore and mythology. The mythological symbol of the world tree was a very strong one, and survived throughout the slavic folklore for many centuries after christianization. Today we discuss the witch of the slavic woods who lives in a chicken leg hut. Fairy tales and stories of enchantment from ireland, scotland, brittany, and wales irish books, mythology books, adult fairy tales, celtic gifts. Written for students and general readers, this book offers a brief but thorough introduction to s. The slavic people live in europe, speak slavic languages and share common culture and history. A fairly typical cosmological concept among speakers of indoeuropean languages, that of the world tree, is also present in slavic mythology. Slavic mythology 14 slavic paganism today for the last few decades, slavic paganism has gained limited popularity among the russian public, with many web sites and organizations dedicated to the study of slavic mythology1 2 and some who openly call for returning to the roots. If the first video in our slavic folklore series was an exercise in mapmaking, consider this the travel guide. A typical cosmological concept among speakers of indoeuropean languages, that of the world tree, is also present in slavic mythology. Im looking for books on slavic mythology, folklore, and paganism. Some elements of slavic folklore, such as vampire legends and easter eggs, are well known, while others are more obscure. Unlikely my german is not good enough for understand a book and i know only few words in polish.
According to the legend morozko was a powerful magician. A figure from slavic folklore, koschei the deathless was known for his titular characteristic. Devil boruta is a fictional character from polish folklore and literature. The pagan slavs had a unique view of spirituality, and their own pantheon of fascinating gods. Men and monsters by elena may, the bear and the nightingale by katherine arden, uprooted by naomi novik, wicked saints. Slavic folklore encompasses the folklore of the slavic peoples from their earliest records until today. The book also features professor ondreickas outstanding artwork, showcasing the high artistic culture of the slovak republic.
Mar 26, 2020 inspired by slavic mythology and russian literature, this is another beautiful blend of magic realism, urban fantasy, and mythology from a croatian writer and scholar. The wicked witch of slavic folklore ancient origins. Slavic mythology the gods of russia and eastern europe. Fascinating slavic mythology offers surprising insight. The winternight trilogy, by katherine arden, is inspired by slavic mythology and includes many characters, such as the domovoi, the rusalka and other beings. With illustrations and a chapter on baltic mythology.
In slavic creation myths, creation of the world is usually attributed to him. Andrew langs the red fairy book and alexander afanasyevs russian fairy tales both tell the story of koschei the deathless. There are many sources when it comes to greek or nordic mythology, but i am having probems finding anything but dry scholarly books on subject of slavic mythology, pantheon and folklore. People who were born with two hearts and two souls and two sets of teeth the second one barely visible were believed to be strzygas. They spit fire, have terrible roar and have evil look on. Myths and folktales of the russians, western slavs, and magyars. Its easy to find greek, roman, and even celtic legends but slavic myths are. Learn about slavic mythology with our free bestiary attached to the cards. Fairy tales and stories of enchantment from ireland, scotland, brittany, and wales irish. A guide to gods, heroes, rituals and beliefs by john lindow. The goddesses of slavic folklore are shrouded in mystery, their true nature obscured by the christian faith which sought to eradicate all pagan worship. New york was once called new amsterdam history behind the change of name.
In ancient slavic, boruta meant pine boruta was a demon in the slavic mythology. What is the best booktextbook to learn more about slavic. The collection of slavic folktales consists of nine books with 150 folktales. Are there any good books on the subject, fiction or nonfiction. Resources about polish and west slavic mythology and. Evil spirits and demons of marshes and swamps in slavic folklore. Page dedicated to all who love slavic culture, folklore, mythology, ethnic music, traditions, customs and beliefs.
Marshes, russian folklore, slavic folklore, slavic mythology, swamps. It is either an oak tree, or some sort of pine tree. The bear and the nightingale by katherine arden, the girl in the tower by katherine arden, uprooted by naomi novik, men. Jun 01, 2018 if the first video in our slavic folklore series was an exercise in mapmaking, consider this the travel guide.
The result is diverse and fascinating folklore with its own set of mythical beings and legendary heroes. A handbook greenwood folklore handbooks 97803336102. Created from serpent that lived up to 100 years or eaten another one. In ancient slavic, boruta meant pine tree according to the folklore, the god dwelled indeed in this kind of trees. A unique collection of slavic cards and folklore decorations. Baba yaga is one of the most terrifying tales in slavic folklore designed to make children behave. I would like to ask if someone know some books or blog or something else abou. Striga strzyga vampire that comes from slavic mythology. Character that inspired ded moroz was slavic winter wizard and a blacksmith called morozko. Inspired by slavic mythology and russian literature, this is another beautiful blend of magic realism, urban fantasy, and mythology from a croatian. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Demonic creatures which were part of the slavic mythology were not considered to be too intimidating enemy, so they were left to exist and, in some cultures, even today, present part of the national folklore. Slavic mythology is, in many cases, a history of trying to figure out what was going on before the christians arrived.
A prominent villain in slavic mythology is the zmey in bulgarian. Slavic mythology behind the popular witcher series slavorum. Written by katherine arden, the bear and the nightingale is the first book in a trilogy, and it weaves slavic and russian folklore together to create this narrative. Pages in category slavic legendary creatures the following 69 pages are in this category, out of 69 total. Slavic folklore arose from the need to give meaning to the hardships of life, and to understand the brutal world around them, the foreboding forests, the thunderous seas, and the wars that raged. Unlike greek or egyptian mythology, there are no firsthand records for the study of slavic mythology. Epic russian bylinas are also an important part of slavic mythology. However, a large part of their mythology can be reconstructed from linguistics, folklore and comparative mythology. Slavic mythology the gods of eastern europe and russia.
Slavic and baltic religion and mythology is considered more conservative and closer to original protoindoeuropean religionand thus precious for the latters understandingthan other indoeuropean traditions, due to the fact that, throughout the history of the slavs, it remained a popular religion rather than being reworked and. Slavic myths is an incomparable general introduction to the topic. First, many of the spirits are still part of common images and folktales among slavic people. Below you can see a list of books, articles, research papers, etc. Join us as we wander the forest of slavic myth and marvel at the many creatures who. Slavic folklore has great cultural significance and international influence.
Slavic and other eastern european folk and fairy tales. Included are explanations of the different types of slavic folklore, the role of slavic folklore in. In one story, vasilisa the beautiful, vasilisa is a cinderella type character with a magical doll, whose mother died and father remarried a horrible woman with equally unkind daughters. Today the slavs inhabit most of central and eastern europe and the balkans. Myths and folktales of the russians, western slavs, and magyars by jeremiah curtin. I guess the most classic example is the lottery, but id like something in the form of a book rather than a short story. Included are explanations of the different types of slavic folklore, the role of slavic folklore in literature and popular culture, and the state of criticism and scholarship on this field of interest. And when the slavs came to america, they brought much of their folklore to the new world, where it continues to flourish today. Slavic folklore is a carefully structured handbook that slowly leads readers from a general understanding of slavs as an ethnic group to a clear description of specific national folk genres and practices within the contemporary slavic world. This book follows vasilisa, a girl whose name comes straight out of the fairy tale vasilisa the beautiful. Garbled tales and even invented gods have been thrown into the mix by wellmeaning but bewildered scholars attempting to reconstitute the original beliefs. This book is a short but thorough introduction to slavic folklore.
Slavic mythology offers surprising insight into to what happens when we departure from this world. Sep 30, 2007 written for students and general readers, this book offers a brief but thorough introduction to slavic folklore. Evil spirits and demons of marshes and swamps in slavic. Written for students and general readers, this book offers a brief but thorough introduction to slavic folklore.
List of slavic mythical creatures mythology wiki fandom. Slavic mythology observed through the eyes of the she bear. Slavic cards is raising funds for slavic mythology cards the witcher is just the beginning. Usually in stories they have odd number of heads, rarely two. What is most interesting about this figure, however, is that his immortality was not foolproof. Slavic mythology project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. With the netflix adaptation of the witcher mere weeks away, an article about books inspired by slavic myth and folklore seems more than.
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