In those distant times, when paganism, or polytheism reigned in all countries, people spiritualized the things and phenomenon surrounding them. As a rule, there were many gods among the Egyptians, and among the ancient Celts and Vikings, among the Greeks, Slavs, Chinese and Hindus. No one professed monotheism.
Belief 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 has been confessed for more than one century, and all that is connected with it - the gods themselves, pagan symbols endowed with sacred meaning and embodying certain wishes for descendants embedded in amulets - all this is interesting, since a lot of the distant past has come in our days. But the term "paganism" implies not only polytheism, or faith in many gods. Today it is used to denote all religions, except Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Such world religions as Hinduism and Brahmanism, Buddhism and Confucianism, and all others, are also denoted by the term "paganism." This word refers to the pre-Christian faith of our ancestors. Holidays of primitive peoples, rites and beliefs are also called paganism.
New old faith
Recently, interest in everything pagan has grown. There are more and more supporters of the tribal ethnic faith. Even a new term has emerged to denote these movements - neopaganism, although adherents of the folk tradition themselves are extremely negative towards it. Of course, modern followers of paganism have many obstacles in the way of knowing the patrimonial faith - non-theistic religions (belief in polytheism) have been severely persecuted for centuries, everything that has to do with the faith of distant ancestors has been mercilessly destroyed. Of course, neopaganism will differ from the tribal faith, because much of the unknown is thought up, and not always by professionals.
The main objects of worship
In any case, interest in ancient history is growing, pagan symbols are given special attention. Every nation has gods, personifying the earth, 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 underworld (people are mortal, and most often their bodies are interred). But the most important signs are symbols of the sun. They exist, if not in all, then in many pagan religions.
Persecuting faith
The pagan symbol of the sun was also among our ancient ancestors. Ancient Slavic mythology is no less interesting than ancient Greek, but if the gods and heroes of the latter were sung by poets from the 7th century AD, paganism was categorically forbidden in Russia with the adoption of the official faith. But it was, and in the process of its long existence, like any religion or culture, overgrown only with its inherent esoteric (secret, innermost) symbols and signs that embody knowledge and concepts about the world.
Not only faith
Expressed in the simplest geometric elements, the symbols went into the folk patterns and ornaments that decorated clothes, weapons, homes and utensils. They were passed down 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 Pre-Slavs (ancient), based on mythology and magic, but also a special cultural model of society that existed for quite some time after the baptism of Russia.
The personification of evil
The fact that the ancients were well versed in the system of the universe is not a secret to anyone. They enclosed all their knowledge in symbols, of which many have survived to this day. Getting to know them is extremely interesting.
The only, but big trouble is that the brightest and most joyful solar sign of the Sun - the swastika - became for many years the personification of unprecedented evil. Pagan signs and symbols are very numerous - only swastikas of various modifications totaled up to one and a half hundred. But there is no other symbol in the world that in the heads of billions of people would not be so connected with evil and that would be so eloquent. And no matter how scientists struggle, proving the true meaning of this solar sign, no one will ever see a swastika drawn on a wall and think that it was portrayed by a man worshiping the sun and singing it. Absolutely every person on this planet knows for sure what a convinced fascist painted her. The rivers of blood shed by the bearers of this sign in the 20th century have changed its meaning forever.
Originally a symbol of the sun
However, current pagan fans, and scientists too, can safely say that the swarga, or swastika, is a symbol of the sun, or rather, its movement in the sky. You just need to take this into account when studying pagan symbols and their meanings. The ancient Slavs have many signs, about which you can learn a lot of 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 among many peoples scattered across all continents.
Tetraxel (four rays) is depicted on ancient Buddhist temples and even on the chest of Buddha statues; they can also be 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 bung in ancient Egypt, Armenia, Iran, India and on the robes of Orthodox clergy. Among different nations, it symbolized, in addition to the sun, the movement of life, light, prosperity and fertility. In Russia, the swastika was called a Kolovrat, and its rays were directed to the left, salting.
Multifaceted and numerous
She symbolized, as noted above, the circulation of the sun. Found it even on ancient icons. This suggests that the swastika initially personified good. And even after adopting Orthodoxy, the Slavs long remembered paganism. 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, and their orientation, and color and shape. Among the solar symbols, the most famous are the “thunder sign”, “eight-ray Kolovrat”, “trixel” (three rays). The 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. In itself, it is quite important, and enclosed in a circle - even more so. The cross is a symbol of life, heaven and eternity. These signs can also be different: straight 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, the four rays of a similar solar sign designate the four cardinal points. A cross enclosed in a circle is also a symbol of the sun. As already mentioned, the number of rays can be 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 on Pancake Week - tarry, set on fire, rushing downhill, 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 the revival of present paganism takes place.
Both Rod and Perun in one symbol
Six-pointed cross in a circle - a sign of the god Perun. He was usually portrayed in armor. Perun is a thunder god, in the pantheon of Prince Vladimir he tops the list of gods. But this same six-pointed cross, enclosed in a circle, is also a symbol of the Sort - the Grandfather of the gods, the Lawgiver of the Law and the Great Almighty. There are probably some subtleties that are known to new idolaters, and scientists too. Because superficial knowledge leads to a dead end: what symbol of what ancient god is a six-pointed cross enclosed in a circle?
Loan symbol
It is believed that the first Christian ideologists borrowed the sacred sign of fire from the ancient Slavs . They not only stole it, but completely changed its meaning, turning the symbol of a triumphant life into a crucifix, personifying not only suffering and torment, grief and death, but also humility and gentle humility, which runs counter to the faith of freedom-loving worshipers of heavenly and earthly fire. Christians have stolen or not our symbol, but the Old Russian cross is millennium older than the Christian 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, Chernovit and Mary, Stribog and Svyatovit, Yarovit (Yarilo) and Dodola - have their own personal signs. The host of the main ancient Slavic gods revered in Russia also includes Royan and Belobog, Dazhdbog and Zhiva, Veles and Makosh, Radegast and Ruevit, Svrozhich and Prov, Morok and Chur, as well as Viy, Khors and Kolyada, Kupalo and Tausen, Nemiza and Rarog. These are the gods who have their own symbols. Of course, named at the end of the list, they are of lower rank than the same Makosh and Dazhdbog. And somehow it happened so that they reached us - obviously, thanks to Russian folk tales - representatives of the lower levels of the hierarchical ladder, who did not have any symbols. We are talking about goblin, water, brownies, bath-houses and other “evil spirits”. All of them are frequent heroes of animated films.
Symbols of nature
Considering further pagan symbols and their meanings, we meet the symbolism of Nature, Earth and fertility. These signs are multifaceted and numerous. Perhaps the most famous of them is a rhombus or square, divided into four more such figures. This is a field symbol. If there is a point inside each rhombus, then this is a sown piece of land, there is no point - empty. A hollow rhombus generally embodies something that can never give birth. Often there is a symbol of a bird and a forest.
Information from the past
Pagan symbols of the Slavs are also divided into signs that represent water (heavenly abyss - heaven filled with life-giving moisture necessary for plant life), air and space, fire (heavenly and earthly), two principles - male and female. There is even a symbolism of the ideal and heavenly bodies. There are a lot of sacred signs, which, however, is not surprising, because you can’t tell about the richness of the 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, still a very large number of signs and images have reached our days, which we have yet to decipher.
Protect from everything
Now it is very fashionable to wear pagan amulets. It is believed that they store in themselves the sacred power of our distant ancestors and have powerful protective properties. The inhabitants of our country, even deeply Orthodox believers, for the most part believe in signs, evil eye and slander. And if earlier they had just avoided black cats and spat on their shoulders, now many sincerely believe in the protective power of ancient amulets. And even often they are worn without removing the body cross - so reliable. And then, the amulets offered in large numbers are very beautiful. The pagan symbols of the Slavs and their meaning is a whole layer of ancient culture, faith and traditions of our ancestors. Unfortunately, few of the current generation are at least superficially familiar with this topic. And quick sellers, taking advantage of 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, are protected from some kind of troubles and troubles. But for them there are separate characters, such as, for example, "Makosh". This goddess of land and fertility takes the family under her protection. Young girls are better off turning their eyes to such a jewelry-amulet, such as the Lada Virgin Mary. This is the goddess of youth, love, beauty and health. Very beautiful in appearance and powerful sacred sign - "Lunnitsa". It is especially recommended for pregnant women, as well as "Rozhanitsa" Very popular now, "Wedding" - a sign of the newlyweds. This amulet was awarded to the bride. Women's charms also include “Deer-grass”, “Prayer”, “Yarilo” (this symbol is also suitable for men). The most powerful is Alatyr. This ancestral leaf our ancestors gave power over time and the course of life. And there is a symbol intended only for infants - "Radinets". The heavenly amulet was depicted on cradles and cradles. He brought peace, peace and protection to the newborn child.
Various amulets
Slavic pagan symbols of the stronger sex are not so numerous, but also spectacular and effective. So, the “Ax of Perun” is a sign of a male warrior. “Duhobor”, “Vseslavets” and “Seal of Veles” serve as guaranteed protection against all misfortunes. It is recommended for an unmistakable choice of the necessary amulet to carefully look at the offered range. “Your” talisman will certainly make itself felt.
I must say that the amulets that came from distant pagan times are made not only in the form of pendants with some sign. There are many dolls to which our ancestors attached great importance. Before their manufacture, the house was cleaned up, the dolls were made only of fabric and thread without the use of scissors and needles. They had no faces, because, according to the pre-Christians, unclean forces could penetrate the product through their eyes . “Nurse”, “Toast” and “Pokosnitsa” are the most common of them. Each had its own purpose and its own circle of protected objects.
You need to know the origins
Old Russian pagan symbols are so numerous that it is impossible to even list them in one article. They write a lot about them now, because this topic is really very interesting - such a huge layer of culture is being raised that it was not allowed to talk about it for a long time. 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 contrasting it with Orthodoxy or atheism. This is the story of our country - from paganism to the present, including all kinds of empires and all faiths. There is an interest in antiquity, in its symbols, in the way of life, I like to find out where these or other concepts came from - please delve into why not? If only it all did not carry a destructive beginning. It is not only interesting to study the traditional patterns of patriarchal antiquity, such knowledge helps to understand a lot in modern times.