Original scientific paper

The Holy Triangle of Pag

Vitomir Belaj
Goran Pavel Šantek

Abstract

This article presents results of a continuation of a research in topographic structures of the ancient Croatian (ancient Slavic) paganism, the results of which were presented in Mošćenice in 2005, in an article titled Myth in Space (Mit u prostoru; Belaj 2006). Three points of the ancient Slavic holy space on the island of Pag have been determined (St. Vitus’ church west of the town of Pag, St. George’s to the north and the Blessed Virgin Mary’s church in the Old Town); forming a triangle, the parameters of which have been determined by Pleterski 1996b: the angle at St. Vitus’ measures 21 degrees, and the two sides of the triangle relate to one another as 1:√2. In addition to his, there are a few other particulars that seem to confirm the thesis that this triangle on the island of Pag represents a trace of ancient Slavic cults.
The St. Vitus’ church, situated on the highest peak of the island, was obviously dedicated to the supreme god, the thunder god Perun. St. Mary’s with an unfailing well (to which one still pilgrimages) is situated not far from the water (sea), where it has covered the cult of the pagan Great Mother, Perun’s wife. The third point, a cluster of rocks where snakes still emerge, marks the place of Perun’s enemy, the snakelike god Veles.

Keywords

island of Pag; mithology; Slavs; worldview

Hrčak ID:

17529

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/17529

Publication date:

15.12.2006.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 5.113 *