Slavic pendant Swiatowid, bronze

Product description

The pendant is crafted in the shape of the Slavic deity Swiatowid. Swiatowid, also known as Svantevit, was a Slavic deity venerated in the early Middle Ages, particularly amongst the West Slavs. His name means "Lord of the World" and his worship was linked to fertility, harvest, protection and prosperity. Swiatowid was often associated with the sun and was considered an all-powerful god with knowledge of the past, present and future. Swiatowid's main temple stood on the island of Rujana (today the island of Rügen in Germany), where his cult flourished during the early Middle Ages. This temple was distinctive in that it had four faces, probably symbolic of the omnipresence of the deity. Within his temple, sacrifices were made and ceremonies performed in honour of Swiatowid. Archaeological excavations on Rujana Island have brought to light some remains of Swiatowid's temple and effigies. The effigies often show the deity with four faces; this pendant is a replica of this.