Slavic Mythology

The Gods of Eastern Europe and Russia...

ORANS

Russian Mother Goddess

Also known as Mary Orans

Paleolithic Mother Goddess with outstretched arms

She is an ancient figure painted on cave walls and carved in bone. She stands straight and tall with her arms stretched out and raised towards heaven. When Christianity came along she obviously was taken as a dead ringer for St. Mary, but her true origins are lost in mystery.

Interestingly — and bizarrely — her image (which is a little like the letter Y) resembles that of certain carved effigies now believed in certain quarters to be a Bull-horned Bee Goddess. The idea is that her arms are really the horny bee antennae. We have come across a few theories but as far as Godchecker is concerned, the jury is still out on this sting in the tale.

For those wondering why people in the Ukraine area were worshiping bees in four thousand BC, well, bees = honey = mead. Job done.

Orans Facts and Figures

Name: Orans
Pronunciation: Coming soon
Alternative names: Mary Orans

Gender: Female
Type: Goddess
Area or people: Russia
Celebration or Feast Day: Unknown at present

Role:
In charge of: Motherhood
Area of expertise: Mother

Good/Evil Rating: NEUTRAL, may not care
Popularity index: 3377

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Article last revised on May 25, 2019 by the Godchecker data dwarves.
Editors: Peter J. Allen, Chas Saunders

References: Coming soon.

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