Jarilo is Slavic word for THE man

A couple of days ago, we celebrated the International Men’s Day, so I’ve decided to dedicate my today’s post to my favorite Slavic god: Jarilo.

Jarilo, Jerovit, or Gerovit, or even Rudyevit, is Slavic god of war and spring. Among Christians, he is better known as Saint George (that’s right, the one that had slain the dragon, and the saint in whose honor, on the 6^th of May, Christians enjoy in at least one of the remaining pagan customs, such as making fresh flower wreaths).

Jarilo is a son of the celestial couple, Perun and Ziva. When he was still a baby, Veles, god of the underworld, stole him from his parents and took him to his kingdom of Nav. Jarilo grew up believing in two utterly painful lies. The first one was that his father was Veles, who was actually his uncle who kidnapped him out of pure jealousy and spite. The other lie brought him even more pain. Everyone kept from him that his one and only love, Morana, was in fact his sister. The only difference was that he was stolen, and Morana, goddess of winter, went to Veles on her own. When he abandoned Nav and joined his real parents in Jav, Morana became his eternal enemy, since she never forgave him for leaving. Honestly, I can’t think of a woman who could forgive him that. And here’s why.

Besides being the Slavic god of war: brave, determined, skillful knight in shiny armor, on a white horse (and he literally rides a white horse), Jarilo is also the god of spring, which is the reason why he looks so good he makes Apollo look like Nicki Minaj compared to him.

Jarilo carries eight swords and a big shield covered in gold. Seven swords represent the seven months of the year governed by Jarilo, and the eighth sword is his personal weapon. His greatest temple could once be seen on the island of Rügen and its roofs were covered in purple. The root of his name, “jar” stands for fire, vehemence, rage, and symbolizes his fiery temperament. However, he’s not some bloodthirsty god of war, like Mars. Oh, far from it, he’s extremely honorable and righteous. Obeying Svarog’s laws, he is, above all, the guardian of all Slavs, but also the guardian of all the weak and helpless. Of course, if someone got on his bad side, they would have a really good reason to be very afraid. 

Jarilo is mighty fire and celestial bliss in one. Perfect balance between two completely opposite worlds. On one hand, there is vehemence, strength, bravery, and skill of war, and on the other, there is warmth, beauty, fertility, and gentleness of spring. Combined with a certain dose of humanness typical of all Slavic gods, it all makes up a man that would make Angelina leave Brad. Unfortunately for her, he is taken, and when he’s taken, he’s faithful.

Step aside, Thor, we’ve got our new favorite god!

Yarilo

In holy time, in Lelya's week
Girls go mad with a dance of spirits.
In Rusalkas' days, in forests
We glorify young Yarilo
Oh, yeah, Yarilo! Yarilo, Yarilo!
Cloudy heaven shows you to us again
Hoy, you, young god!
Hoy, we call you!
We sing the song
With our April hearts

It will roll, it will roll
in the sky, in the bright sky
Turn gloomy clouds out
Hey, to Seven Hills!
To Mighty Seven Hills
That have stood in the darkness for centuries
Kolovrat, turn time back
Make people go on your road*

Oh, yeah, Yarilo! Yarilo, Yarilo!
Cloudy heaven shows you to us again
Hoy, you, young god!
Hoy, we call you!
We sing the song
With our April hearts

Hoy, you, hoy esi! Hoy esi, Yarilo!
Kolovrat turned time back
We wish you roll, roll till dawn
But do not forget to came back in the morning

Taken from http://lyricstranslate.com/en/yarilo-yarilo-yarilo.html#ixzz3JvU8oiE2