Simurg or Rarog: To the Interpretation of “Prince Vladimir`s Pantheon”

The aim of the study is to determine the significance of Simargl (a pagan deity mentioned in the Tale of Bygone Years) in the belief system of the Eastern Slavs, as well as to interpret the essence and nature of his cult. The study is based on data from written sources, legends, and traditions of the Slavic Indo-European peoples, as well as the results of ethnographic and archaeological research. The methodology is a comprehensive approach in which comparative mythological analysis is combined with the use of historical source studies and linguistic methods. The use of this approach allowed us to identify interpretations of the image of Simargl and versions of its origin that arose during previous scientific discussions. The author is convinced that the Slavs could not have adopted the image of Senmurf-griffin from the Iranians, which was widespread only in the western part of the Iranian world. According to the author’s assumption, the chronicler Nikon of Pechora called Simargl the Iranian small bird-like deity - Simurg, about whom he could have learned during his stay in Tmutarakan, where the bearers of Iranian pagan cults lived at that time. As a result, the chronicler could use the name Simurg to designate the Slavic deity Rarog - a fiery bird of prey, the image of which has been preserved in the folklore of the Slavic peoples, in particular, in the tales of the Firebird. Using comparisons, the author found images similar to Rarog in the mythological systems of other peoples of Indo-European origin. Further, the article reconstructs possible plots associated with Rarog, and gives an idea of his place and role in the “pantheon of Vladimir”. The result of the study was the following hypothesis: Rarog was considered a deity-helper of the thunder god Perun, the giver of the sacred fire - “svarozhich” and a sacred drink. Such a status of Rarog in the Slavic mythological system obviously reduces the list of “gods of Vladimir” from six to five, which is indirectly confirmed by chronicle and archaeological sources. It is noted that the mention of a bird-like fire deity in a pair with the god of winds and war Stribog in the chronicle list is reflected in Russian folklore and Hindu parallels, where the god of fire Agni acts as an ally of the god of winds and battles Vayu. Together, these facts confirm our idea that the list of gods in the chronicle does not go back to the fantasies of the chronicler, but to the authentic pagan tradition of Ancient Rus. If we assume that Simurg himself was present in the “pantheon of Vladimir”, then this circumstance can serve as indirect confirmation of the theory of the Iranian origin of the Rus (Ros) people.