Russian myths and legends of culture have been described as “slightly ridiculous and overly superstitious.” However, these beliefs still shape the lives of many Russians in some way.
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Legends about world creation
Many Russian fairy tales refer to the old Slavic myth about the three underground kingdom levels: the highest being gold, middle is silk, and the lower level is copper. In the fairy tales, a hero meets Tsarevna, who presents him with an egg. The hero then raises through all three levels and throws the egg on the ground. From this, emerged the world as we know it.
Another myth is known as the “Chaos Division.” This myth is about God and his assistant Satan. According to a legend, the swamps, mountains and canyons were all a result of Satan. God created the world, and used two fish to support his creation.
Believers of ancient myths believe the world is flat, and meets the sky (which is in the shape of a vaulted ceiling) at the end. God is thought to live in it. There are different levels in the sky. The highest being gold - which is where God sits on his throne.
The sun is the “Heavenly Father, holy and righteous.” Solar eclipses are thought to be the demons trying to eat the sun.
The moon is the sun’s younger brother. It brightens the world when the sun is sleeping.
The stars are connected to people. For every person on Earth, there is a star. When a child is born, a new star appears. When someone dies, their star falls.
The clouds are carried by Elias the prophet in his chariot. The 7 colours of the rainbow are symbolic of the 7 heavens.
Wind is “a man with thick lips.” Some even go as far as saying the wind is angel breath.
Frost is the relative of the sun and wind. “It's an angry old man with a red nose, in fur and ice shoes.”
Destiny, illness and death
Destiny is given at birth. Some common destinies include poverty or wealth, health or illness, and life expectancy.
Illnesses are believed to be sent by demons, witches or wizards.
In Russian myths, Death is an elderly, bony woman with big teeth, dressed in a white cloak. She has three tools: a scythe, a rake and a spade. Her home in the underground, is believed to have a candle for each person on Earth. When a candle burns out, so does the person to whom it belongs to. When a child is born, Death lights a new candle.
Many interpretations of death exist in Russian folklore. It can be sleep related. When someone sleeps, one can go into the “other world” and come back to life (when they wake up).
Two kinds of deaths exist. A person who dies due to old age surrounded by family, died a “good death.” This means their time has come. Those who were murdered, committed suicide, died of an illness or due to war, are considered to be “bad deaths.” When it comes to bad deaths, they cannot be accepted into heaven, or by the earth because it was not their time to die. They therefore do not receive the proper burials. Instead they will be covered with rocks and sticks.
Russians associate “good” deaths with good harvests, whereas as a “bad” death will bring droughts, storms, and destruction.
The Soul
According to Russian folklore, the soul is either small and childlike, or has wings and can fly. For 40 days following the funeral, the soul of the deceased visits places it likes, or places where it sinned - to ask for forgiveness. The family sets a place for their loved one at the dinner table, and will invite the deceased to join them.
Demons, devils and treasures
Satan, God’s enemy, is said to be born of the foam on the surface of water. Some myths say the devil appeared from water falling from Satan’s hands.<eef name=GTR/> This is why you should not shake water off your wet hands.
Just like in any other culture, a treasure is...a treasure! If the treasure is hidden, it is considered evil. If the treasure is not hidden, it can be taken and the founder will not have any negative consequences. Treasures are guarded by demons, or the souls or famous robbers such as Stepan Rasin and Emelian Pugachev (amongst others). Treasures are hidden in woods, fields, caves, mountains, or in their homes (behind the oven, in the wall, or cellar). If someone attempts to steal a treasure without knowing any magical methods to do so, he/she will become ill or worse, die.