In ancient times, our ancestors attached great importance to various symbols and signs and their influence on human life. The ancient Slavs were pagans, they worshiped the power of nature and its manifestations. Often different symbols were assigned to the gods and deities of nature. The ancient Slavs believed that such signs could attract good luck and we alth, help find love and protect from evil spirits and misfortunes. For these purposes, amulets were created. Interestingly, it was not customary to make talismans for oneself or to ask someone to do so. Amulets created by a loved one, for example, a wife, were considered the most powerful magical amulets. Many women wove strands of their hair into them - such male Slavic amulets had special magical and protective powers, they helped their husbands in various life situations. Mothers also made amulets for their children, and they had to be worn from the very birth - such an amuletaccompanied a man all his life.
Men's Slavic amulets were usually much simpler than women's ones. They were designed to bring good luck in hunting, war or family life. The interpretation of male Slavic amulets is still being studied by historians and ethnologists. Judging by the surviving objects, the ancient Slavs were quite superstitious in this regard: signs were literally everywhere. Symbols adorned men's Slavic bracelets, amulets could be made in the form of pendants or embroidery.
Male power was personified by such gods as Veles, Perun, Dazhdbog, Yarovit and many others. The symbol was chosen in accordance with the purpose of the amulet. According to the meaning and interpretation of male Slavic amulets, each one selected a sign for himself individually. Particularly important talismans were passed down from generation to generation - the power of such an amulet only grew. Even with the adoption of Christianity, they were not abandoned.
Also, on the amulets, the ancient Slavs depicted not only the symbols of the gods, but also various birds and animals that possessed the necessary qualities, such as dexterity, strength, cunning, courage. In addition, the sense organs are especially developed in animals, which is very important for hunters and warriors. For example, an amulet with the image of a falcon would give strength, leadership qualities and bring good luck in battles.
Next, consider the most common male Slavic amulets and their meaning.
Ax of Perun
Ax of Perun is a talisman of brave and mighty warriors. This male Slavic amulet symbolizes angryheaven, the god of thunder and thunder. Perun is also the keeper of family values. The ancient Slavs attached great importance to tribal memory: the power of the clan grew with each generation thanks to the accumulated knowledge and experience. The ax of Perun has become a sign of courage and selflessness, as well as a protective symbol of the clan.
Cross of Svarog
Among the male Slavic amulets and their meanings, the cross of Svarog is one of the most ancient and main. The octagonal star depicted on the symbol points to all cardinal directions with its rays. The cross of Svarog is also called "Alatyr" - after the name of the octagonal star. This amulet is a symbol of wisdom, infinity, something global and unshakable. This sign was an indispensable companion of witches and travelers.
Ratiborets
This symbol was considered a truly masculine Slavic amulet, the meaning, description and interpretation of which is quite unambiguous: this sign is the patron saint of warriors. Ratiborets contributes to a successful battle, helps to protect the borders of the native land from enemies, and puts the enemy to flight.
Valkyrie
Valkyrie is a male Slavic amulet, the description of which is as follows: a warrior maiden on a winged horse, picking up the dead from the battlefield to take them to the world of the dead. This sign is considered one of the most sacred among the Slavs, it performs the function of protection, symbolizing nobility, wisdom, ingenuity, and creation. Male Slavic amulet withValkyrie creates a special energy protection, protecting its owner from damage, negativity, bad words.
Kolyadnik
Such a symbol endowed the owners with determination and courage, but at the same time with wisdom, providing great chances for the opportunity to solve the problems that arise on the path of life with the least losses. Such a talisman was especially relevant for politicians and diplomats. The male Slavic amulet-Kolyadnik protected its owner from rash decisions, irascibility, repelled failures, attracting peace, clarity of thought and success in endeavors.
Seal of Veles
Description of male Slavic amulets and their meaning vary in various sources, but the Seal of Veles does not lose its meaning - this sign is a symbol of patronage and protection of the god Veles. This symbol looks like a bear's paw print and helps to keep hope, protects travelers on the road and attracts good luck. The sign served especially well for people related to magic or trade. The seal of Veles awakens wisdom and hidden possibilities in a person. The symbol is an ideal talisman for gifted, creative and active people. However, such an amulet was forbidden to be worn by people who drink alcohol, since this symbol can direct a person’s energy in a completely unproductive direction. Being an extremely powerful and energetic symbol, the Seal of Veles is not always able to correctly direct the flow of energy of a person with some weaknesses. In addition, this amulet was able to bring good luck.and success to fishermen and hunters.
Vseslavets
The meaning and description of the male Slavic amulet of Vseslavets is quite predictable: a symbol of glory and reverence, harmony in relationships. This amulet is related to fire: it incinerates all disagreements and disputes between people, it itself protects from fire, both natural and spiritual. This sign also symbolizes peaceful relations between people, harmony in the soul and feelings. The amulet absorbs all negative emotions and trends, changing them for the benefit of the world and its owner.
Dukhobor
In the photo - the male Slavic amulet Dukhobor - he is able to help take the right position in life. This talisman can contribute not only to spiritual, but also to physical cleansing and healing. Doukhobor reveals the true essence of things, helps to shed all unnecessary and look at things clearly. This amulet resists negative forces, evil spirits and bad deeds, cleansing a person from weaknesses and vile intentions. Acting against the amulet at the same time could greatly harm the energy of a kind.
Rodimich
The ancient talisman of the Slavs Rodimich symbolizes a strong bond between generations, which requires obligatory adherence to the traditions established over the centuries. The patron of the talisman is Rod - the creator of the whole world. The sign consists of several Slavic runes, compiled in a certain sequence, which endowed the amulet with magical protective powers. The shape of the amulet should be angular, whichsymbolized the firmness and confidence of the character of the stronger sex - such a talisman had a purely masculine affiliation. They were intended as a gift for boys to feel secure and confident.
Traveler
A magic item with the symbol of the Wayfarer was worn by men who needed to go on a long and distant military campaign in wild and unfamiliar lands. It was also used by travelers, conquerors, explorers. The amulet helped to maintain a clear mind and a sober mind throughout the difficult path. A clear view of things helped to avoid dangerous situations and hidden threats, allowing the most rational and fruitful use of the traveler's intellectual and power potential. Thus, the amulet is protective, while acting through the mind of its wearer.
Svarozhich
This mystical symbol is considered a kind of connecting sign of all generations of the family, rooted in the divine principle. Amulet Svarozhich is a special honor that not everyone could be awarded. Only that man, whose thoughts were pure and open, whose intentions were aimed at strengthening the Slavic family, could wear such an amulet. Usually it was worn by especially revered representatives of the family - elders, wise men, brave warriors, priests.
Bracelets and belts
Charms were worn not only as pendants. A variety of brooches were complemented by belts and bracelets with embroidered male Slavic amulets. Men's clothing, as usual, was cut with wide sleeves:it was believed that evil spirits and negative energy could enter the body through them, so it was necessary to wear bracelets with amulets on the wrists, as well as put on special embroidery with protective symbols along the edges of the sleeves.
For example, in order to be under the protection of the god Perun, the symbol of Gromovik was woven into the ornament. A bracelet depicting a fern flower - which, by the way, was considered an extremely rare and mystical phenomenon - endowed its owner with special intuition and heroic strength.
Young guys wore amulets with the symbol of Fireeye, which helped in learning, mastering various important sciences, physical development and mastering the skill of handling weapons. Such a magical object protected the teenager not only from the influence of external negative forces, but also did not allow negative thoughts to arise in a person’s head. This protection was strengthened by the Radinets sign inscribed in the design of the bracelet with Fireeye. The same amulet with the sign of Svarog endowed the teenager with special wisdom and justice, helped the owner find a way out of the most difficult life situations.
Adult and experienced warriors and sages, as a rule, weaved several magical runes into their bracelets. They could be either similar in meaning or different: combinations of different symbols strengthened the protective power of the bracelets. Various combinations could help protect yourself from the evil eye or evil spells, gain the ability to diplomacy, gain wisdom and justice, increase your we alth and power, receive God's blessing for certain deeds, protect yourself from diseases, resist dark forces and failures, and much more.other.
In ancient times, amulets with protective embroideries were of particular importance for the Slavs. Such an accessory was an integral element of the external image of a noble warrior or a respected sage. Daggers and swords were worn on such belts, also painted with secret spells and signs, which were considered a special source of vitality. It was considered simply indecent for a man to walk without a belt: evil spirits could easily attack an unbelted Slav and various damage and evil eye could stick. A man without a belt is the equivalent of evil forces, black magic, negative energy. It was customary to tie belts on the stomach, since this particular part of the body was considered the most unprotected and vulnerable.
As for the material, belts were usually made of leather, and symbols and amulets were embroidered with cotton, woolen or linen threads. At the same time, the material was quite important: for example, cotton strengthened the protective function, protecting from the evil eye and bad spells, wool could save from diseases and ailments, and maple thread was intended for a pattern on amulets for warriors.
Sometimes body amulets had special plaques with a symbol of fertility, which looked like an eight-pointed cross - it is also a sign of the sun (sometimes it is depicted as an ordinary cross). Also, men could wear amulets-figures in the form of various animals, birds or fish, backed up by real fangs or claws of animals - such amulets saved from adversity, helped in hunting and endowed their wearers with the corresponding properties that are characteristic of certain animals. According to Slavic beliefs, the forcesthe slain beast is passed on to the men, who wear their claws or fangs. A hunter or warrior with similar attributes was considered brave and invincible, acquiring special power and glory.
