The mythology of the Slavs is an extremely interesting and informative phenomenon. Despite the fact that in a number of its manifestations it has similar features with the same ancient or Scandinavian mythology, the Slavic belief system is a completely unique set of knowledge, traditions and legends regarding all the basic issues of the world order.
The myths of the ancient Slavs have come down to us in a highly revised form. Since, unlike the same ancient Greeks, writing among these peoples appeared already at the end of their pagan history.
At the same time, of interest is the fact that, despite ethnic and religious diversity, the Slavs have managed to preserve the common features and ideas characteristic of their distant ancestors to this day. The most striking example of this is the tradition of scarecrow burning, symbolizing the end of winter.
Of great interest is the early Slavic mythology, the gods in which formed a kind of pantheon, in which three main levels can be distinguished:
1. The highest level was "populated" by those deities on whom all life on Earth directly depended - Svarog, personifying Heaven, Earth and their children - Perun, Fire and Dazhdbog;
2. At an average level, the myths of the ancient Slavs placed those gods who were "responsible" for the development of a tribe, as well as for all economic activity: Rod, Chur and others;
3. The lowest level was made up of creatures that "controlled" certain areas of the environment - goobies, brownies, ghouls, mermaids.
The myths of the ancient Slavs focused on the problem of the origin and development of the world, as well as the veneration of their long-dead and legendary ancestors.
Like most other nations, the Slavs had a thunder god - Perun, who, in a number of tribes, personified Heaven.
Other tribes considered Svarog to be the god of Heaven, who nominally held the highest position in the hierarchy.
One of the most revered gods was the brother of Svarog - Veles, whose main task was to protect cattle and contribute to the accumulation of wealth in the clan and tribe.
Since the myths of the ancient Slavs formed in their bulk, most likely, even before the formation of the Slavic tribes, they did not require the introduction of any special cults and rituals; our ancient ancestors did not have a developed priestly estate.
In Russia, the first idols appeared only under the influence of the Vikings and were dedicated mainly to the main deities - Perun, Dazhdbog and Khors. With the adoption of Christianity, all these idols were thrown from the hills and destroyed.
The main feature of Slavic mythology was the close interconnection of the real world with lower-level beings who lived everywhere, helping people, sometimes disturbing them. Constant communication with the coasts, forest goblins, brownies made everyday life more complicated and mysterious, and all unusual phenomena immediately found many interpretations. As for the gods of the middle and upper level, here people could only carefully listen to their desires, meekly fulfilling their will. The fear of the forces of nature and the anger of their ancestors was so great that various holidays were dedicated to them, some of which have survived to this day.