This article describes Serbian folk astronomy.
Contents
Sun
In Serbian belief, Sun is anthropomorphised as a man. Sometimes, Moon is described as Sun's brother or uncle, Venus as his daughter or (in one song) wife, or both stars and Venus as his sisters. Of Sun's parents, only mother is ever mentioned.
Some common Proto-Indo-European beliefs about Sun are preserved: a belief that Sun is riding in a cart or riding a horse, or that it is God's eye. Various beliefs exist that explain Sun's role regarding day and night: that it travels underground or under the sea during the night to emerge again during the day, or that it dies every sunset to be born anew the next sunrise. Sun is also present in a number of other folk beliefs and customs.
Moon
Moon is also anthropomorphised as a man. Moon is sometimes described as Sun's brother or uncle, and Venus as Moon's sister or wife. Also, sometimes Moon's mother or children (mesečić) are mentioned, apparently not referring to any astronomical objects.
A great deal of attention in folk beliefs is given to Moon phases, with new Moon respected as bringer of good fortune, and full Moon also viewed positively. There are various explanations about the Man in the Moon, which is viewed as a head of an animal, or as a human.
Venus
Depending on how it appears, Venus may be called differently:
Venus is anthropomorphised as a woman, sometimes described as Sun's daughter or (in one song) wife, Sun's or Moon's sister, Moon's wife and in some songs as blood sister (posestrima) of Prince Marko. It is regarded as harbinger of dawn and day.
Meteorites
Serbian mythical creatures called zmaj, usually translated as dragon, are described variously, as either snake-like monsters (see also aždaja), humans with supernatural abilities, or flying fiery creatures; these fiery dragons can be identified as meteorites. They are described as flying across the sky while shining, generally at night, with fire flowing from their wings, and producing a loud noise.
In some regions it was believed that a shooting star indicated a captive, slave or soldier had broken free, or that one man is chasing another to fight with. It was a custom that the person who saw the shooting star remained silent at that moment, as uttering a sound might disclose the fugitive. By another custom the person should say, "Behind a bramble, behind a bush, hide!", "Run to the mountain!" or similar.
Stars
Stars are anthropomorphised as women, sometimes described as sisters of Sun and Moon. A variety of beliefs about them exist.
Sirius
Serbian name for Sirius is Svinjarka, Svinjaruša (svinja = pig), Volarica or Volujara (vo = ox). In some regions, appearance of Sirius signifies that pigs should be released to pannage on acorns.
Asterisms
Big and Little Dipper are called Velika kola (Big cart) and Mala kola (Little cart) in Serbian language. Another Serbian asterism is Porednice (red = queue), identified as Orion's Belt and Sword. Other asterisms are recorded, such as Volovi (oxen) and Trougao (triangle), but it is unclear what stars they refer to.
Pleiades
In Serbian language, Pleiades are called Vlašići or Sedam vlašića (Sedam = seven). While the name is identical to "Little Vlachs" ("Seven little Vlachs"), this is a folk etymology, and it is in fact derived from Slavic god of cattle and underworld, Veles.
A number of stories about the Pleiade's origin exist. The stars are described as seven brothers, or six brothers and a sister. Several sets of their names are recorded, for example:
Pleiades are used to determine appropriate dates for various field works, or to measure time by night. Sometimes, when they appear on the sky, they are called kvočka s pilićima ("hen with chicklets").
Milky Way
In Serbian language, Milky Way is called Kumova slama (kums straw). A legend explains that once, a kum stole straw from another, but as he was carrying it away, he was losing some of it. Then, God put the straw in the sky as a permanent warning not to steal.