Apple as Cosmic Tree, Iana Sânziana (Great Mother Goddess), Somođiva (thanatological deity) of Romanians of Carpathian Serbia
Fuente:
Zenodo
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Recurso digital |
| Published: |
Zenodo
2026
|
| Online Access: | |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1866901584361816064 |
|---|---|
| author | Stojanjelović, Dragan |
| author_facet | Stojanjelović, Dragan |
| contents | <p class="p">This study examines the symbolism of the Cosmic Tree (<em><span class="15">Arborele cosmic</span></em>, locally termed <em><span class="15">Ļeamnu al mare</span></em>) within the funerary beliefs and ritual practices of Romanians in the Homolje region of Eastern Serbia. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, oral testimonies, and ritual songs, the paper situates this symbol within a broader framework of archaic cosmological concepts, particularly the axis mundi, which connects the three cosmic realms: the underworld, the terrestrial world, and the heavens. The research highlights the persistence of ancient mythological structures in local traditions, especially through trance experiences of “falling” women (căzătoare), whose ecstatic journeys to Mount Rtanj mirror shamanic ascents found in various Eurasian cultures. These experiences reveal a symbolic ascent along a cosmic axis, often represented as a mountain or tree, facilitating communication with the sacred realm and the world of the dead. Such practices demonstrate striking parallels with shamanic traditions described in comparative religion, particularly in the works of Mircea Eliade. The Cosmic Tree emerges as a central cosmological symbol, embodying regeneration, immortality, and the cyclical renewal of life. In local folklore, multiple tree species—such as yew (<em><span class="15">Taxus baccata</span></em>), linden (<em><span class="15">Tilia cordata</span></em>), apple, fir, pear, and poplar—are endowed with attributes of the World Tree. These trees function not only as symbolic connectors of cosmic levels but also as apotropaic elements in everyday life and ritual contexts. The study further explores the integration of pre-Christian mythological motifs with Christian elements, as evidenced in ritual songs where divine figures gather beneath the Cosmic Tree. Additionally, the motif of the Tree of Life is closely associated with the concept of fate, particularly through representations of a mythological being (Somodiva) who inscribes human destiny in a sacred book beneath the tree. This motif reflects broader Indo-European and ancient Near Eastern cosmologies, demonstrating deep cultural continuity and shared symbolic structures. Ultimately, the paper argues that the Cosmic Tree in Homolje traditions represents a vital axis of communication with the sacred, preserved both in ritual practice and oral literature. Its enduring presence underscores the resilience of archaic cosmological ideas and their integration into the spiritual life of the Romanian communities in Eastern Serbia.</p> |
| format | Recurso digital |
| id | zenodo_https___doi_org_10_5281_zenodo_20110286 |
| institution | Zenodo |
| language | |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publisher | Zenodo |
| record_format | zenodo |
| spellingShingle | Apple as Cosmic Tree, Iana Sânziana (Great Mother Goddess), Somođiva (thanatological deity) of Romanians of Carpathian Serbia Stojanjelović, Dragan <p class="p">This study examines the symbolism of the Cosmic Tree (<em><span class="15">Arborele cosmic</span></em>, locally termed <em><span class="15">Ļeamnu al mare</span></em>) within the funerary beliefs and ritual practices of Romanians in the Homolje region of Eastern Serbia. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, oral testimonies, and ritual songs, the paper situates this symbol within a broader framework of archaic cosmological concepts, particularly the axis mundi, which connects the three cosmic realms: the underworld, the terrestrial world, and the heavens. The research highlights the persistence of ancient mythological structures in local traditions, especially through trance experiences of “falling” women (căzătoare), whose ecstatic journeys to Mount Rtanj mirror shamanic ascents found in various Eurasian cultures. These experiences reveal a symbolic ascent along a cosmic axis, often represented as a mountain or tree, facilitating communication with the sacred realm and the world of the dead. Such practices demonstrate striking parallels with shamanic traditions described in comparative religion, particularly in the works of Mircea Eliade. The Cosmic Tree emerges as a central cosmological symbol, embodying regeneration, immortality, and the cyclical renewal of life. In local folklore, multiple tree species—such as yew (<em><span class="15">Taxus baccata</span></em>), linden (<em><span class="15">Tilia cordata</span></em>), apple, fir, pear, and poplar—are endowed with attributes of the World Tree. These trees function not only as symbolic connectors of cosmic levels but also as apotropaic elements in everyday life and ritual contexts. The study further explores the integration of pre-Christian mythological motifs with Christian elements, as evidenced in ritual songs where divine figures gather beneath the Cosmic Tree. Additionally, the motif of the Tree of Life is closely associated with the concept of fate, particularly through representations of a mythological being (Somodiva) who inscribes human destiny in a sacred book beneath the tree. This motif reflects broader Indo-European and ancient Near Eastern cosmologies, demonstrating deep cultural continuity and shared symbolic structures. Ultimately, the paper argues that the Cosmic Tree in Homolje traditions represents a vital axis of communication with the sacred, preserved both in ritual practice and oral literature. Its enduring presence underscores the resilience of archaic cosmological ideas and their integration into the spiritual life of the Romanian communities in Eastern Serbia.</p> |
| title | Apple as Cosmic Tree, Iana Sânziana (Great Mother Goddess), Somođiva (thanatological deity) of Romanians of Carpathian Serbia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20110286 |