Chizh and the crane (historical and cultural comment to the graffiti)

The paper aims to clarify the historical and cultural meaning of a series of graffiti and drawings depicting the killing of a crane. The inscription was made on the wall of St. Sophia Cathedral in Velikiy Novgorod by someone named Chizh and read by A. A. Gippius and S. M. Mikheev. This article explains appearance of the drawings and graffiti as a legal precedent. Based on their location, the graffiti are dated to 1050-1108/9. The author believes that the discussed inscription was made to express repentance because of the condemned killing of a bird venerated by people. It serves as an evidence of the cult of crane that was still preserved in Novgorod. This action represents a manifestation of veneration of these birds associated with popular mermaid rites and the fertility cult.