Summary page for Polel, the Slavic god of marriage and love.
Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Marriage, Love
Archetype:
Protector: In a symbolic sense, Polel protected the sanctity of marriage, ensuring that love matured into a stable union.
Group:
Was part of the love and marriage deities related to Lad and Lada.
Other Names (a.k.a.):
Polish: Polel (Полель)
Russian: Polel (Полель), Polelya (Полеля)
Slav: Polel (Полель)
Ukrainian: Polel (Полель)
Other Pantheons:
Greek: Hymenaeus
Polel was considered the Slavic equivalent of Hymenaeus. The Greek god of marriage, who also presided over weddings and symbolized marital union.
God of Marriage: People revered Polel as the Slavic god who guided love into marriage, ensuring the bond remained strong and enduring.
Bringer of Love to Marriage: He represented the transition from pure love to committed marriage, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and fidelity.
Son of Lada: As the second son of Lada, the goddess of love, Polel inherited the duty of nurturing love into a lifelong union.
Protector of Marriages: People saw him as a guardian of marriages, helping couples navigate the everyday challenges of married life.
Consorts:
None Known
Children:
None Known
Young Man: Artists depicted Polel as a youthful figure, symbolizing the vitality of love and marriage.
Blond Beard and Curls: They often portrayed him with a blond beard and long curls, enhancing his image as a charming and benevolent deity.
Simple Attire: He wore simple, everyday clothes, often a thin robe or shirt, highlighting his humble and approachable nature.
Golden Robes: Artists sometimes depicted him in luxurious golden robes, emphasizing his divine status and his connection to the sacredness of marriage.
Smiling Face: His smile represented the joy and happiness he brought to couples and marriages.
Wreath of Thorny Roses: Polel wore a wreath of thorny roses on his head, symbolizing both the beauty and challenges of married life.
Held a Rose Wreath: In one hand, he held a similar wreath, ready to present it to those entering marriage, a reminder of the balance between love’s joys and hardships.
Horn of Loyalty: In his other hand, he carried a horn filled with a drink of loyalty, representing the commitment and fidelity needed in marriage.
Musician: Artists occasionally portrayed Polel playing a flute, enchanting those around him with melodies that celebrated love and unity.
Weapons:
None: Polel did not wield any weapons, as he was a deity of love and marriage, focusing on harmony and union rather than conflict.
Sacred Animals:
None Known: There were no sacred animals specifically associated with Polel in Slavic mythology.
Symbolism:
Rose Wreath: The wreath of thorny roses worn by Polel symbolized the beauty and challenges that come with marriage.
Horn of Loyalty: The horn he carried represented loyalty, and the happiness found in a committed, loving relationship.
Celestial Associations:
None Known: There were no specific planets or constellations linked to Polel.
Realms:
Heaven and Earth: Polel was associated with both heavenly and earthly realms, representing the union of divine love and earthly marriage.
Worship Places:
Temples in Kyiv: Polel had dedicated temples in Kyiv, where he was worshiped.
Worshiped in Other Locations: Polel was also revered in other regions, though specific locations are less documented.
Rituals & Divinations:
Wedding Rituals: Polel was included in wedding rituals, where his blessings were sought for a happy and loyal marriage.
Spring and Summer Rituals: He featured prominently in rituals during the spring and summer, seasons traditionally linked to marriage and new beginnings.
Festivals:
Spring and Summer Festivals: Polel was believed to be celebrated during spring and summer festivals, particularly those connected to marriage and love. These festivals, though not specifically identified, alluded to often include songs and ceremonies that honored his role in guiding love into marriage.
Themes:
Marriage: Polel was primarily associated with the institution of marriage, guiding love into a lasting bond.
Love: He embodied the pure and enduring love that leads to marriage.
Loyalty: Polel symbolized the loyalty required in a successful marriage, ensuring that love remains strong through life’s challenges.
Folklore:
Slavic Folklore: Various Slavic myths and folklore mention Polel as a god of marriage, often in conjunction with his brother, Lel.
Associated with Light: People sometimes saw Polel as the embodiment of daylight, symbolizing the clarity and purity of love that leads to marriage.
Visit All Slavic Gods & Goddesses
- A. Kononenko, L.P. Virovetz, Encyclopedia of Slavic Culture, Writings and Mythology (Russian Version) Энциклопедия славянской культуры, письменности и мифологии (Folio, Kharkiv, 2013) Page 256
- Editors of Drevnerusskiy Slovar, Полеля (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)
- G. Glinka, V. Zhukovskiy, A. Gilferding, Slavyanskaya Mifologia (Beliy Gorod, 2020) ПОЛЕЛЯ, Page 40
- 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