perun

Perun is a major figure in traditional Slavic mythology, the god of thunder, lightning, storms, and often associated with war and sovereignty. He is attested across East, West, and South Slavic cultural areas and is commonly described as one of the principal deities of the Slavic pantheon and, in some traditions, its supreme god.

His name is reconstructed in Proto-Slavic as *Perunъ, with cognates appearing in various Slavic languages. Perun's primary symbol is the thunderbolt, and he is closely associated with the oak tree and the sky. In many local traditions he is portrayed as a mighty warrior, sometimes depicted with a weapon such as a sword or an axe.

In Slavic myth, Perun's most famous feud is with Veles, the god of the underworld and serpents. Their battles, described as a contest of thunder against trickery, are thought to explain the cycle of seasons and weather: when Perun strikes, storms roar; when Veles prevails, winter or drought may ensue.

Evidence of cults to Perun includes hill-top sanctuaries and oak groves, with offerings of food or drink in agrarian communities. Rituals were performed by priests and seers in pre-Christian Slavic societies.

In modern times Perun remains a prominent figure in Slavic neopagan movements, where he is venerated as a symbol of strength and natural power; his name appears in place-names, literature, and popular culture.