THE MOON IN THE OSSETIAN RELIGIOUS TRADITION

	ISSN 2223-165X
	Izvestiya SOIGSI

Home Editorial board Publication ethics Current Information Archive Peer review guidelines Contacts Address: Pr. Mira, 10, Vladikavkaz, 362040, RNO-A, Russia E-mail: soigsi@mail.ru	DOI: 10.46698/VNC.2026.99.60.013 THE MOON IN THE OSSETIAN RELIGIOUS TRADITION Ktsoeva, Sultana G. Izvestia SOIGSI. 2026. Issue 60 (99). P.61-73. Abstract: This article is devoted to a comparative study of the symbolic meanings and sacred imagery of the Moon as a celestial body in traditional Ossetian religious consciousness. The relevance of this study stems from the growing scientific significance of comparative religious studies methods, which, in turn, is driven by a growing desire to understand religious processes, foster a culture of dialogue, and rethink scientific approaches. The aim of this study is to examine the historical evolution of lunar symbols and ritual practices in the Ossetian ethnic religion. An important research objective is to identify and analyze cross-cultural parallels reflected in the sacred image of the Moon at different periods of the ethnic group’s development. The scientific novelty of this study is determined by an attempt to systematically reconstruct the role of the Moon in the traditional Ossetian religious worldview by identifying its archaic, Scythian-Sarmatian, and Abrahamic roots, as well as their connection with rituals. Special attention is given to the reflection of the image of the Moon in Ossetian folklore. Research into the role of the Moon in the Ossetian religious tradition has been undertaken previously. The distinctive feature of this study is its method: it is based on the phenomenological approach introduced by M. Eliada, which rejects the linear evolution of religion, focusing on the study of individual images, symbols, and rituals, and perceiving religion as an independent reality through the identification of certain universal structures (hierophanies and archetypes). The author, in particular, concludes that the Nart hero Batraz has a lunar nature (as an antithesis to the solar hero Soslan) and examines lunar hierophanies reflected in Ossetian folklore: the snake, the frog, the image of the flood, horns, etc. Keywords: Moon, hierophany, archetype, comparative religious studies, Ossetian ethnic religion. Language:: Russian Download the full text For citation:: Ktsoeva, S.G. The Moon in the Ossetian religious tradition // Izvestiya SOIGSI. 2026. Iss. 60 (99). Pp. 61-73. (in Russian). DOI 10.46698/VNC.2026.99.60.013 + References 1. Moravek, Z. The Forgotten Aphrodite: symbolism of the Scythian serpent goddess Argimpasa. 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