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Georgian mythology

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The article is about the mythology of the country of Georgia.

Georgian myths and legends are preserved mainly as popular tales. Many of them have eventually fused with Christian legends after the Christianization of Georgia seventeen centuries ago.

List of mythic characters

A non-exhaustive list of Georgian mythical characters includes:

  • Armazi - Chief of the gods; central figure in Kartli’s (Iberia) official religion established by King Pharnavaz of Iberia (4th century, BC). According to the legend, an immense statue of Armazi was destroyed by lightning after St Nino’s prayer. Armazi is also the name of an ancient fortress near Mtskheta that dates from the same period.[citation needed]
  • Baaduri - warrior, son of the Gods, enemy of all evil.
  • Dali - goddess of the hunt and 'lady of stones and animals'. She was believed to be a temptress and to have many love affairs with hunters brutally killing the traitors. Also called Deyla or Dalila.[citation needed]
  • Devi - giants, usually believed to be evil beings.
  • Gatsi and Gaimi - gods in the official Iberian pantheon according to the medieval annals.
  • Iakhsari - mythic hero, was a son of Morige and a close friend of Baaduri.
  • Kopala - mythic hero, mighty warrior (archer) and a demon killer.
  • Lamara - goddess, was called ‘eye of the earth’.
  • Leucothenia (White Goddess) - Greek name for Georgian (Kolkheti) goddess of sea.
  • Morige - creator, the Lord of the Sky sitting on a golden throne.
  • Mzekala (Sun-woman) - Sun goddess, patroness of grape growing. Later identified with St Barbara (Barbare, Barbale in Georgian).[citation needed]
  • Ochopintre - spirit of the forest and protector of wild animals.
  • Tamari - goddess of the sky, riding on a snake; is identified with Lamara.
  • Tetri Giorgi (White George) - popular character in Georgian mythology; a warrior and a moon god. Later Tetri Giorgi became one of the names of St. George in eastern Georgia.[citation needed]
  • Zadeni - god of fertility in the official pantheon established by Pharnavaz I.

See also