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DOI: 10.46698/VNC.2025.97.58.015

HIEROTOPY AS A UNIVERSAL IN THE OSSETIAN RITUAL-MYTHOLOGICAL SYSTEM

Kusaeva, Zalina K.
Izvestia SOIGSI. 2025. Issue 58 (97). P.154-168.
Abstract:

The present article examines the creation of sacred spaces through circular movements, viewed as a crucial element of the Ossetian ritual-mythological system. This phenomenon is represented in the texts of the “Nartiada” and is widespread in the Ossetian ritual culture. At present, reinterpret­ing of mythological images and universal symbols results in the substitution of deep meanings of traditional culture and the disruption of initial ritual ceremonies, manifested in the pattern of ritual processions performed in prescribed directions. In this regard, the term “hierotopy” –”ἱερός” (sacred) and “τόπος” (place, space, concept), proposed by A.M. Lidov is applied in the Ossetian folklore studies for the first time. The hierotopic principle of scientific reconstructions of the organization of specific sacred spaces, including decoding of epic narratives, can solve the problem of activating the authenticity of archaic rituals as the most important forms of spiritual, religious, and sociocultural life with deep historical roots. We examined the direction of circular movements using the example of initiation wedding rituals involving the circling of the bride around the hearth chain, the rite of removing the veil, and the circumambulation of sanctuaries. These studies demonstrated that the characteristics of the Ossetian eastward orientation system reflect the ancient Indo-European tradi­tion of venerating the rising sun – “xuryskæsæn.” Opposite to this concept is the west, “xurnygulæn.” Accordingly, circular processions associated with the idea of rebirth were conducted in the direc­tion of sunrise. Supporting this assertion is the discovery of a sacred object bearing a solar symbol during our fieldwork – “chirifyssæn” (literally, “seal for ritual pies”). It seems significant that the pronounced imprint of the sun’s rays, when applied to ritual bakery, points precisely toward sunrise.

Keywords: Ossetian Nartiada, hierotopy, sacred spaces, chain above the hearth, Chirifyssæn, circular movements, solar symbol.
Language:: Russian Download the full text  
For citation:: Kusaeva, Z.K. Hierotopy as a universal in the Ossetian ritual-mythological system // Izvestiya SOIGSI. 2025. Iss. 58 (97). Pp. 154-168. (in Russian). DOI 10.46698/VNC.2025.97.58.015
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