Back
Dana
In Ukrainian mythology, Dana is the goddess of water and rivers, a symbol of fertility, life and female primogeniture. She was revered as the giver of heavenly water, rain, and associated with all water resources — rivers, streams, lakes. Dana was considered the mother of all living things on earth, and it was her name that explained the names of large rivers, such as the Dnipro, Dniester, and Danube. Her role was to provide water to all living things and to maintain the natural balance.
Dana imagined herself as a majestic woman with long, flowing hair that resembled waves of water, falling to her feet. Her image was associated with water, peace and fertility. Her clothes were often depicted as blue, white or silver, which emphasized her connection with the river element. Dana could hold a jug in her hands, a symbol of water and life.
Dana was also identified with other Slavic goddesses, such as Divonia or the Virgin, and was considered the wife of Fire (Svarozhich or Svitovida), with whom she created a harmony of opposites. Water, controlled by Dana, played an important role in Slavic rituals of purification and healing. In the myths, it is stated that there was "living water" that could not only cure diseases, but also restore youth and even cure blindness.
Dana was honored through rituals related to water. People made sacrifices to her on the banks of rivers and springs, throwing flowers, milk or grain into the water. Water was an important part of these rituals, because it was considered a gift of the goddess, able to purify and give life. Of particular importance were the rites held during summer holidays, such as Ivan Kupala, when people jumped over the fire and washed themselves with water for purification and protection.
It was believed that the water blessed by Dana had healing properties, able to cure diseases and increase the fertility of fields. During the summer holidays, bathing in the water symbolized not only physical but also spiritual cleansing. Water associated with Dana was important for rituals that ensured harvest and prosperity.
Dana, as the goddess of the water element, personified not only fertility and life, but also purification and restoration, ensuring natural harmony and order in the world of people.
Dana imagined herself as a majestic woman with long, flowing hair that resembled waves of water, falling to her feet. Her image was associated with water, peace and fertility. Her clothes were often depicted as blue, white or silver, which emphasized her connection with the river element. Dana could hold a jug in her hands, a symbol of water and life.
Dana was also identified with other Slavic goddesses, such as Divonia or the Virgin, and was considered the wife of Fire (Svarozhich or Svitovida), with whom she created a harmony of opposites. Water, controlled by Dana, played an important role in Slavic rituals of purification and healing. In the myths, it is stated that there was "living water" that could not only cure diseases, but also restore youth and even cure blindness.
Dana was honored through rituals related to water. People made sacrifices to her on the banks of rivers and springs, throwing flowers, milk or grain into the water. Water was an important part of these rituals, because it was considered a gift of the goddess, able to purify and give life. Of particular importance were the rites held during summer holidays, such as Ivan Kupala, when people jumped over the fire and washed themselves with water for purification and protection.
It was believed that the water blessed by Dana had healing properties, able to cure diseases and increase the fertility of fields. During the summer holidays, bathing in the water symbolized not only physical but also spiritual cleansing. Water associated with Dana was important for rituals that ensured harvest and prosperity.
Dana, as the goddess of the water element, personified not only fertility and life, but also purification and restoration, ensuring natural harmony and order in the world of people.