Pagan symbols and their meanings

In those distant times, when in all countries paganism reigned, or polytheism, people spiritualized the things around them and the phenomenon. As a rule, there were many gods among the Egyptians, among the ancient Celts and Vikings, among the Greeks, Slavs, Chinese and Hindus. No one professed monotheism.

Faith in one god appeared much later, as civilization developed. For the formation of the state, a strong cementing force was needed, which polytheism was unlikely to personify.

The ambiguity of the term

However, the faith of our distant ancestors, which confessed for more than one century, and everything associated with it - the gods themselves, pagan symbols endowed with a sacred meaning and containing certain wishes to the descendants, laid in amulets - are all interesting because many of them The distant past has come and nowadays. But the term "paganism" implies not only polytheism, or faith in many gods. It is used today to denote all religions, except Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Such world religions as Hinduism and Brahmanism, Buddhism and Confucianism and all the others are also denoted by the term "paganism". This word means the pre-Christian faith of our ancestors. Holidays of primitive peoples, rituals and beliefs are also called paganism.

New old faith

Recently, interest in everything pagan has grown. There are more and more supporters of ancestral ethnic faith. There is even a new term for these movements, neopaganism, although the adherents of the people's tradition themselves treat it extremely negatively. Of course, modern adherents of paganism have many obstacles in the way of cognizing the clan faith - non-theistic religions (belief in polytheism) have been harshly persecuted for centuries, everything that had to do with the faith of distant ancestors was mercilessly destroyed. Of course, neopaganism will differ from the clan faith, because much of the unknown is thought out, and not always by professionals.

The main objects of worship

In any case, interest in ancient history is growing, special attention is paid to pagan symbols. Each people has gods, personifying the earth, the sky, water, air - all four elements.

And there is always a god, and he is one of the most important in any religion, personifying the underground kingdom (people are mortal, and most often their bodies were buried in the ground). But the most important signs are the symbols of the sun. They are, if not in all, in many pagan religions.

Persecuted faith

The pagan symbol of the sun was also with our ancient ancestors. Old Slavic mythology is no less interesting than the Ancient Greek, but if the gods and heroes of the latter were sung by poets since the 7th century AD, then in Russia, with the adoption of the official faith, paganism was categorically forbidden. But it was, and in the course of its long existence, like any religion or culture, it has only esoteric symbols (secret, secret) symbols and signs, which contain knowledge and concepts about the surrounding world.

Not only faith

Pronounced in the simplest geometric elements, the symbols went into folk patterns and ornaments, with which clothes, weapons, homes and utensils were adorned. They were passed on from generation to generation, and it was not possible to destroy the memory of them. Pagan symbols are an integral part of the whole life of pre-Christian Russia. Slavic paganism is not only a stage in the spiritual development of the Proto-Slavs (the ancients), based on mythology and magic, but also a special cultural model of society that existed for quite some time after the baptism of Rus.

Impersonation of Evil

The fact that the ancients were well-oriented in the system of the universe is not a secret for anyone. All their knowledge they enclose in symbols, which to our days are preserved many. To get acquainted with them is extremely interesting.

The only, but big trouble is that the brightest and most joyful solar sign of the Sun - the swastika - has become for many years the personification of an unprecedented evil. Pagan signs and symbols are very numerous - only swastikas of various modifications number up to one and a half hundred. But there is no other such symbol in the world that in the minds of billions of people would not be so connected with evil and that would be so eloquent. And no matter how hard scientists are trying to prove the true meaning of this solar sign, no one ever sees the swastika painted on the wall, and does not think that it was portrayed by a man worshiping the sun and singing it. Absolutely every person on this planet knows exactly what the convinced fascist drew. The rivers of blood spilled by the bearers of this sign in the twentieth century changed its meaning forever.

Originally a symbol of the sun

However, the current admirers of paganism, and scientists, too, can calmly say that swarga, or swastika - a symbol of the sun, more precisely, its movement in the sky. You just need to take note of this by studying pagan symbols and their meanings. The ancient Slavs have many signs about which one can learn many interesting things. In fairness, it should be noted that the swastika as a symbol of the sun, that is, the main symbol of faith or worship, is found in many peoples scattered across all continents. Tetraxel (four rays) is depicted on ancient Buddhist temples and even on the chest of a Buddha statue, it is found on the ancient altars of France, it can be found on the cover of the Gospel in England and on the ancient homespun carpets of Central America, and even on Chinese coins. There was a svarga in Ancient Egypt, Armenia, Iran, India and on the attire of Orthodox clergymen. In different nations, it symbolized, in addition to the sun, the movement of life, light, prosperity and fertility. In Russia, the swastika was called a cotlovat, and its rays were directed to the left, the saline.

Multifaceted and numerous

It symbolized, as noted above, the cycle of the sun. Found it even on ancient icons. This indicates that the swastika originally personified good. And even after accepting Orthodoxy, the Slavs remembered about paganism for a long time. Data on the number of swastikas used in Russia vary greatly, from 77 in some articles to 144 in others. All of them are distinguished by the number of rays, their directivity, and their color and shape. Among the solar symbols, the most well-known are the "thunder sign", "the eight-ray cone", "triksel" (three beams). Pagan symbols of the Slavs glorify movement, the sun, life-giving moisture, in general, the fullness of life.

One of the main solar symbols

The cross also refers to solar (solar) signs. By itself, it is quite important, and the prisoner in a circle - even more so. The cross is a symbol of life, heaven and eternity. These signs are also different: direct and oblique, with four, eight and twelve rays, etc. For example, a straight cross can serve as a primitive model of the Tree of Life. According to another version, four rays of a similar solar sign denote four sides of the world. The cross in the circle is also a symbol of the sun. As already mentioned, the number of rays is different, but this does not affect the main meaning of the sign, only the interpretation changes. The eight-pointed cross, enclosed in a circle or "wheel," was used for Maslenitsa - tarred, set on fire, floating down the hill, it symbolized the change of seasons. And, at the same time, the eight-ray Kolovrat is a symbol of the god Svarog. And it is under this sign of wisdom and justice that a revival of the present paganism takes place.

Both Rod and Perun in one symbol

The six-pointed cross in the circle is the sign of the god Perun. He was usually portrayed in armor. Perun - the god-thunderer, in the pantheon of Prince Vladimir he heads the list of the gods. But the same six-beam cross, enclosed in a circle, is also the symbol of Rod - the Grandfather of the Gods, the Legislator of the Rule and the Great Almighty. Probably, there are some subtleties that are known to new idolaters, and scientists too. Because superficial knowledge leads to a dead end: the symbol of what an ancient god is a six-beam cross, enclosed in a circle?

Borrowed symbol

There are opinions that the first Christian ideologists borrowed from the ancient Slavs a sacred sign of fire. They not only stole it, but completely changed its meaning, transforming the symbol of the triumphant life into a crucifixion, embodying not only suffering and anguish, grief and death, but also submissiveness and meek humility that runs counter to the faith of the freedom-loving admirers of the heavenly and earthly fire. Whether or not Christians have stolen our symbol, but the Old Russian cross is older than the Christian one for a millennium and really carries a different semantic load. Although this is certainly a subjective view.

Pagan Slavic gods

The symbols of the pagan gods are very diverse and numerous. Each of them - Svarog and Lada, Chernivita and Mary, Stribog and Svyatovit, Yarovita (Yarilo) and Dodola - have their own personal signs. To the host of the most ancient Slavic gods, revered in Russia, also include Royan and Belobog, Dazhdbog and Zhiva, Veles and Makosh, Radegast and Ruevit, Svorzic and Proov, Morok and Chur, and Viy, Khors and Kolyada, Kupalo and Tausen, Nemiza and Ragog. These are the gods who have their own symbols. Of course, those named at the end of the list are ranked lower than the same Makosh and Dazhdbog. And somehow it happened that we have reached - obviously, thanks to Russian folk tales - representatives of the lower levels of the hierarchical ladder, which have no symbols whatsoever. We are talking about geese, water, house, bannery and other "evil spirits." All of them are frequent characters of animated films.

Symbolism of Nature

Looking further at pagan symbols and their meanings, we meet the symbols of Nature, Earth and fertility. These signs are multifaceted and numerous. Perhaps the most famous of them is a rhombus or a square, divided into four other similar figures. This is a field symbol. If there is a point inside each diamond, then this is a sown plot of land, there is no point - empty. Hollow diamond in general personifies something that can not give birth to ever. Often there is a symbol of birds and forests.

Information from the past

Even the pagan symbols of the Slavs are divided into signs representing the water (heaven's whores are heaven filled with life-giving moisture necessary for the life of plants), air and space, fire (heavenly and terrestrial), two beginnings - masculine and feminine. There is even a symbolism of the ideal and heavenly bodies. Sacred signs are very many, which, however, is not surprising, because you will not tell about the wealth of the surrounding world through a dozen images. Ancient pagan symbols are not just drawings and patterns, they have a deep meaning, they carry the knowledge that our distant ancestors possessed. Although much has been lost, it's still a very large number of notations and images that we still have to decipher.

Protect from everything

Now it is very fashionable to wear pagan symbols-amulet. It is believed that they store in themselves the sacred power of our distant ancestors and possess powerful protective properties. Residents of our country, even deeply religious Orthodox, mostly believe in signs, evil eye and slander. And if before they only avoided the black cats and spit over their shoulders, now many sincerely believe in the protective power of ancient amulets. And even often wear them, without removing the cross - so much safer. And then, the amulets offered in plenty are very beautiful. The pagan symbols of the Slavs and their significance is a whole layer of ancient culture, faith and traditions of our ancestors. Unfortunately, very few of the present generation are at least superficially familiar with this topic. And smart salesmen, using this, offer amulets for all occasions.

Personal protection

There are separate amulets for women and men. And now also for Slavic beauties - ugly or elderly women, presumably from some kind of trouble and distress and so protected. But for them there are separate symbols, such, for example, as "Makosh". This goddess of land and fertility takes the family under their protection. Young girls are better to turn their eyes to such a decoration-amulet, as "Lada the Virgin." It is the goddess of youth, love, beauty and health. Very beautiful externally and powerful sacral sign - "Lunnitsa". Especially it is recommended to pregnant women, as well as "Rozhanitsa" It is very popular now "Wedding" - a sign of the newlyweds. Such a charm was given to the bride. Women's wards also include "Deer-grass", "Prayer", "Yarilo" (this symbol is also suitable for men). The most powerful is "Alatyr". This eight-leafed our ancestors vested with power over time and the course of life. And there is a symbol intended only for infants - Radinets. Heavenly amulet depicted on the cradles and cradles. He carried peace, peace and protection to the newborn child.

Various amulets

Slavic pagan symbols of the stronger sex are not so numerous, but also effective and effective. Thus, "Sekira Peruna" is the sign of a male warrior. "Dukhobor", "Vseslavets" and "Seal of Veles" serve as a guaranteed defense against all misfortunes. It is recommended for an unmistakable choice of the necessary amulet to carefully look at the offered assortment. "Your" talisman will definitely make itself felt.

I must say that the amulets that came from the distant pagan times are not only in the form of pendants with some sign. There are a lot of pupae, which our ancestors attached great importance. Before they were manufactured in the house they cleaned cleanly, dolls were made only of fabric and thread without the use of scissors and needles. They did not have a face, because, according to the opinion of the pre-Christians, an impure force could penetrate through the eyes . "Nurse", "Zdravitsa" and "Pokosnitsa" are the most common of them. Each had its own purpose and its own circle of protected objects.

I need to know the sources

Old Russian pagan symbols are so numerous that it is impossible to even enumerate them in one article. They write a lot about them now, because this topic is really very interesting - a huge layer of culture is being raised about which for a long time it was not allowed to talk. But this long period of the life of our country must be considered in close connection with the subsequent stages of development of Russia and Russia, while in no case opposing it to Orthodoxy or atheism. This is the history of our Motherland - from paganism to the present times, including all kinds of empires and all religions. There was an interest in the antiquity, in its symbols, in the way of life, it is pleasant to know where these or other concepts originated from - please, take a look, why not? If only this does not carry a destructive beginning. To study the traditional patterns of patriarchal antiquity is not only interesting, such knowledge helps to understand much in modern times.