Slavic dragon
(Redirected from Zmey Gorynych)
Categories: Slavic mythology | Russian folklore | Dragons
In Slavic mythology, European dragons have their peculiarities. A dragon is called zmey in Russian, zmiy in Old Church Slavonic, zmaj in several Southern Slavic languages. Most of these words are masculine forms of the Slavic word for "snake". In Romania, there is a similar figure, derived from the Slavic dragon and named zmeu. In Polish and Belarussian culture there is a unique word smok, which comes from indoiranian word for "swallow"[1].
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East Slavic
In Russia and Ukraine a particular dragon creature, Zmey Gorynych, has three heads, is green, walks on two back paws, has small front paws, and spits fire. According to one of bylinas, Zmey Gorynych was killed by Dobrynya Nikitich.
Other Russian dragons (Zilant, Tugarin Zmeevich) have Turkic names, probably symbolizing the Mongols and other steppe peoples. Accordingly, St George (symbolizing Christianity) killing the Dragon (symbolizing Islam) is represented on the coat of arms of Moscow. Some prehistoric structures, notably the Serpent's Wall near Kiev, have been associated with dragons as symbols of foreign peoples.
South Slavic
In Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro a dragon is called "zmaj", "zmei" or "lamja". It is a multi-headed dragon (with 3, 7 or 9 heads) who breathes fire.
West Slavic
The Wends formerly believed in Zirnitra as the black dragon. The name Zirnitra means magically empowered. Some modern interpreters view this Wendish dragon as a god of magic or sorcery, but this is controversial.
See also
- European dragon
- Smok Wawelski - dragon of Krakow
- Zilant - dragon of Kazan