Faun is the patron of shepherds and farmers

Representative of the Roman divine pantheon, merry fellow and good-natured Faun patronized cattlemen and farmers. His prototype in Greek mythology was the god Pan. Faun is the next Greek god, who was worshiped and brought gifts. In his department there were fields, pastures, forests and groves. According to myths, the grandfather of the Faun was the revered god of the agriculturists Saturn, and his father - Pikus, god of fields and forests.

The one who patronized the shepherds

In the history of Ancient Rome, there was a period when, from year to year, on February 15, Roman citizens celebrated sacred lupercalia, timed to Remus and Romulus, the founders of the capital of the future empire. Those same brothers, who nursed and fed their milk wolf. Infants took refuge in the grotto until they were accidentally discovered by a shepherd in the sanctuary where the Faun lived (this deity respected by shepherds and farmers), located on the slope of Palatine Hill.

Luperc is the second name of the Faun, which the shepherds gave him. They believed that the deity protects the sheep from wolves. By the way, Lupark from the ancient Romans associated with the wolf, and therefore the festival was originally timed to the cult of this animal.

Celebration of lupercalia on February 15. Rituals

Faun is the god of fertility, so he was worshiped and revered, even a special feast in his honor. The ritual was as follows:

1. The main point of the festival was sacrifice. For this, a dog and a goat were selected (in other sources - goat and goat). At the altar (altar) were placed two young guys. Each of the loops must turn to them in turn to touch the forehead with a knife, the blade of which was in the blood sacrificed to the animal. Then the priestess moistened the goat's hair in milk and quickly wiped the blood from the boy's forehead, which at that moment should represent a joyful mood. Faun in Roman mythology was not an evil deity. He liked to play a trick, although his pranks were sometimes cruel. That's why he was beguiled by gifts and sacrifice.
2. After the sacrifice from the animal skins, the strips for the priest-lupers were cut out: wide, to be worn as loincloths, and narrow straps (februa). A noisy crowd of naked lupers, who only covered their thighs with goatskins, shouted from Lupercal to the Palatine Hill. They ran around the sacred hill and lashed with belts of everyone who met on their way. It is a rite of redemption and purification from all that has accumulated during the previous year. Therefore, no one tried to evade the belt of the loper. Especially willingly substitute themselves for women who believed that scourging with a sacred goat's belt guarantees them fertility and a happy married life.

Celebrating the Faunalies

The fact that the Romans were truly loved and revered by their Faun God, is evidenced by the presence on the calendar of another feast, timed to coincide with him, on December 5.

On this day, the deity was sacrificed with milk, wine and goat. After the sacrifice, a merry feast was organized, with the obligatory symbolic presence on it of the originator of the celebration - the kind and cheerful god Faun.

Celebrated the holiday on a full scale. The cattle got full freedom. Left to their own devices, the animals walked freely in the woods and in the fields. Also, arable animals had another opportunity to relax. Even slaves were given freedom. Left unattended, bonded people on this day had fun wherever possible - at the crossroads, in the meadows. Faun is the beloved God of ordinary working people.

The character of the Faun and his relationship with people

The goodwill inherent in the deity did not at all interfere with the manifestation of some pranks against the one who broke his peace in the forest. Faun in ancient Roman mythology could, for example, either amuse or frighten one who has gone deep into the forest. It was necessary for someone to fall asleep, as the Faun whispered in the ear of various horror stories. The gift of prophecy was transferred to the Faun from the father of Picus. Therefore, through the rustling of the leaves, the Faun could predict the future for that person, on whose part a favorable attitude was felt. To do this, it was necessary to go to the sacred grove and, spreading the skin of the sacrificial sheep, doze off on it. In a dream, you must visit a prophecy.

Faun is a special being that was worshiped by ordinary workers. The shepherds and farmers were most afraid of angered him. Therefore, he received various gifts on a regular basis.