Khors

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Summary page for Khors, the Slavic god of the sun, health, and hunting.

Pantheon:

Slavic Pantheon

Deity Of:

Sun, Health, Hunting

Archetype:

Sun God: Khors was primarily known as a sun deity in the Slavic pantheon, representing the sun and daylight.

Group:

Is one of the sun deities in the Slavic pantheon.

Other Names (a.k.a.):

Russian: Chors (Хорс), Khors (Хорс)

Slav: Chors (Хорс), Hurs (Хурьс), Khars (Харс), Khors (Хорс), Khorye (Хоре), Khros (Хрос), Khrs (Хьрс), Khurs (Хурс)

Ukrainian: Chors (Хорс), Khors (Хорс)

Other Pantheons:

Hindu = Surya god of the sun

Roman = Apollo  god of the sun, light, and healing

Egyptian = Ra the sun god

Solar Deity: People primarily recognized Khors as a sun god. His attributes and roles connected deeply to the solar cycle and light.

Sun and Light: They associated him with the sun and light, reflecting his importance in providing illumination and warmth.

Symbols and Imagery: Artists depicted Khors with features symbolizing his solar nature. In some interpretations, he had a human torso, goat legs, and a dog’s head with multiple horns, linking him to fire and the sun.

Celestial Role: In ancient texts and traditions, Khors played a significant role in celestial events. People considered him a deity embodying the solar aspects of the natural world.

Connection to Dazhbog: They sometimes compared Khors with Dazhbog, another sun deity. This emphasized his role in the solar pantheon and his importance in celebrations like the winter solstice.

Winter Solstice Celebrations: His association with the winter solstice highlighted his role in the cycle of the sun, symbolizing renewal and the return of light.

Handsome Youth: In folklore, Khors was portrayed as a handsome youth. He sometimes danced in circles with young people, reflecting his connection to light and festivities.

Chariot Rider: Iconography included depictions of Khors as a rider with golden curls driving a chariot across the sky, symbolizing the sun’s daily journey.

Baltic Iconography: In Baltic paganism, artists depicted Khors with a human torso, goat legs, and a dog’s head with several horns. This idol had a sacred fire burning day and night, showing his strong link to fire and the sun.

Solar Symbols: People symbolized Khors with words and objects related to circles and fire. They connected words like “cross,” “wheel,” “circle,” and “spark” to him, reinforcing his solar and fiery attributes.

Celestial Associations:

The Sun: Khors was a solar deity

Star or Constellation Association: People sometimes linked Khors to specific stars or constellations due to his solar nature. However, detailed records of these associations are sparse.

Realms:

Celestial Domain: As a solar deity, Khors was associated with the celestial realm, particularly the sun. His influence extended to the heavens and possibly realms beyond the earthly plane.

Worship Places:

Region of the East Slavs: People of ancient Rus’, especially in the East Slavic regions, worshipped Khors.

Temple in Novgorod: One notable place connected to Khors’ worship was a temple in the ancient city of Novgorod. This site reflected the importance of celestial worship in early Slavic religious practices.

Open-Air Sanctuaries and Groves: Khors was often honored in open-air sanctuaries and sacred groves. These natural settings emphasized his connection to the sun and celestial realms rather than grand, enclosed temples.

Rituals & Divinations:

Solar Rituals: As a solar deity, Khors was honored through rituals connected to the cycles of the sun. Ceremonies during solar events such as solstices and equinoxes celebrated the sun’s influence on life and nature.

Fire Rituals: Rituals involved lighting a wheel wrapped in straw to symbolize the sun. People engaged in communal festivities like dancing and feasting.

General Practice: Solar deities like Khors were often associated with divinatory practices related to the cycles of the sun and seasonal changes.

Winter Solstice Divinations: During the winter solstice, divination practices involved predicting the coming year’s weather or agricultural outcomes, honoring solar deities like Khors.

Kolyada Festival Divinations: While specific divination practices related to Khors during Kolyada are not detailed, the festival’s focus on the rebirth of the sun suggests divinations were performed to foresee the new year’s prosperity.

Festivals:

Winter Solstice Festival: Celebrated around December 21, this festival honored Khors as the sun began its gradual return. It marked the renewal of the solar cycle and the return of longer days.

Kolyada Festival: Celebrated in mid-winter, around the time of the winter solstice, the Kolyada festival celebrated the rebirth of the sun. It included the veneration of solar deities, with Khors likely being honored during this time.

Slavic Mythology: Legends mentioned Khors as a sun god associated with light and celestial phenomena.

Baltic Mythology: People also referenced Khors in Baltic traditions, reflecting his significance across different cultures within the Indo-European sphere.

Ancient Texts and Traditions: Various ancient texts and traditions featured Khors, depicting him as embodying solar attributes and playing a role in celestial events.

• A. Kononenko, L.P. Virovetz, Encyclopedia of Slavic Culture, Writings and Mythology (Russian Version) Энциклопедия славянской культуры, письменности и мифологии (Folio, Kharkiv, 2013) 288-289
• A. N. Nikolayeva, Slavic Myths (Russian) Славянские мифы Мифы мира. Самые сказочные истории человечества (Bombora Izdatelstvo, 2023) Page 46-47, 89
• Alexandra Barkova, What gods were worshiped before christianization? (Russian) В КАКИХ БОГОВ ВЕРИЛИ ДО КРЕЩЕНИЯ РУСИ? («Культура.РФ», 2013)
• Editors of Drevnerusskiy Slovar, Хорс (Drevenrusskiy Slovar (Russian) “”Древнерусский словарик””, 2010-2024)
• Editors of Spadok.Org.UA, Pantheon of Slavic Gods (Ukraine) Пантеон язичницьких богів слов’ян (Spadok (Ukrainian), August 17, 2020)
• Editors of Spadok.Org.UA, Sun Gods of Slavs (Ukrainian) Боги Сонця у слов’ян: Дажбог, Ярило, Хорс та інші (Spadok (Ukrainian), February 27, 2019)
• Galina Lozko, Слов’янський пантеон у світлі етнорелігійного ренесансу (“Об`єднання рідновірів України”, 1995-2024)
• Igor Ozhiganov, Slavic Gods and Goddesses (Russian) Славянские Боги и Богини (Naslediye Sluchkogo Kraya (Russian) “Наследие слуцкого края”
• J.A. Coleman, The Dictionary of Mythology: An A-Z of Themes, Legends, and Heroes (Barnes & Noble, Inc., 2007)
• Jan Hanuš Máchal, George Foot Moore, Louis Herbert Gray, Slavic Mythology: Folklore & Legends of the Slavs (e-artnow, Originally published 1922, Date Published 2020) Page 74-75, 108
• Mayevska Svitlana Vasilivna, Pantheon of Slavic Gods (Ukrainian) Презентація ПАНТЕОН СЛОВ’ЯНСЬКИХ БОГІВ – ТО НАШЕ НЕБО. (Na Urok (Ukrainian) «НА УРОК», April 01)
• Yaromir Slushni, All Slavic Myths and Legends (Russian) Все славянские мифы и легенды (ACT, Moscow, 2021) Page 6