Stribog Day (21/08)

Stribog (ancient Russian Stribog) — in East Slavic mythology is the god of the wind, born from the breath of the Family. His name goes back to the ancient root «streg», which means «senior», «father uncle». A similar meaning is found in the «Tale of Igor’s Campaign», where the winds are called «stribo grandchildren».

The Slavs believed that being the master of the wind, Stribog could cause either, on the contrary, an end to the storm, or any other natural phenomenon associated with the wind. Stribog, together with Perun, also commands thunder and lightning. They are — brothers.

Stribog lives permanently in the Okiyan Sea on Buyane Island and creates 77 winds every day, which he blows in all directions of the world. Those winds can dry out rivers and crush dark forests. Also, in ancient Russian texts, the name Striboga is constantly combined with the name Dazhdboga.

Winds, especially those that cause tornadoes, have always been mysterious and somewhat frightening. The Slavs jammed the tornadoes, called Perun for help, threw knives and stones at them, and beat them with sticks. All the winds, whether quiet, strong, whether affectionate — are all Stribog's children and grandchildren. Their names: Whistle, Siverko, Podaga, Midday and Midnight.

On the other hand, the Slavs have a well-known concept of the wind as a soul (spirit). They usually sacrificed flaps, ribbons, cereals, grain, flour, porridge, bread, scattering pieces downwind into the field, and begging from it the winds pleasing to the harvest.

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