“I took Tatar swords and cut them”: who was the legendary defender of Russia from the Mongols Yevpaty Kolovrat really. Story

Kolovrat is not just a sacred image of the sun, but a projection of the whole universe, working cyclically, where darkness always ends with the arrival of light. The image of the sun among the Slavs is closely related to the veneration of the earth-mother. It is not surprising that with such a meaning, the Kolovrat symbol took a central role in the culture of our ancestors. Modern adherents of paganism, like the ancient Slavs, wear the Kolovrat solar amulet in order to gain protection and support from the ancient gods.

Read more about Slavic amulets and their meaning in the article.

Understanding the meaning of this sign is quite simple. You just need to carefully read the title. “Kolo” means “circle”, and “vrat” means a repeated movement - rotation. Kolovrat personifies the cyclical nature of the entire universe - the change of seasons, the end of the night and the onset of the day, as well as the transition from troubles and misfortunes to health and prosperity. It has several hypostases, although initially the symbol had only one form - four rays with curved ends.

Today you can meet Kolovrat with six and even eight lines. The eight-beam Kolovrat is considered to be the most harmonious among them, because the eight “peaks” combine four elements (earth, water, air and fire) and seasons.

The image of the symbol is easy to recognize in many Slavic signs. Our ancestors, like many other peoples, worshiped the Sun, and solar - solar symbols occupy one of the central places in culture. Various variations of Kolovrat were used in festivities dedicated to, hence another name for the sign.

All types of Kolovrat carry a bright beginning, but each variation is slightly different from the others - both externally and in meaning and meaning:

• The four-beam sign - the symbol of fire represents the sun god Dazhdbog,
• The six-beam Kolovrat is related to another Slavic deity - the Thunderer.
• Kolovrat with eight rays - the most common option, is associated with many gods, including Svarog. It was this god who created the earth and all life on it, therefore this sign symbolizes the power of the sun and rebirth and is of paramount importance in relation to other alternatives.

Some call this sign "swastika", certainly remembering Hitler and Nazism. Yes, indeed, Kolovrat and the swastika are essentially the same thing, but do not be afraid of swastika images. Stained by fascism, originally the swastika symbol meant only light and goodness. From time immemorial, the Slavs and other peoples used it as a talisman, but, of course, no one had heard of the Fuhrer then.

The Kolovrat amulet is one of the few Slavic symbols that accept various forms. It plays with the number and direction of the rays, which means it can change its meaning.

"Salting" means moving in the direction of the sun, and "anti-salt" - respectively, has the opposite meaning. Looking at the swastika images, it is easy to get confused which of them is directed towards the sun, and which is against. Let's figure out how to read these signs correctly. In simple words “salting” is a clockwise movement, and “anti-salting” is the opposite direction. But even understanding this, people still make a mistake when it comes to the direction of Kolovrat.

This sign symbolizes rotation: with the right-handed beams directed to the left, and with the left-handed - vice versa. It is not difficult to understand this by imagining flames, or comets, constantly moving in a circle. Obviously, their "tails" will be directed in the opposite direction.

A video that clearly demonstrates the “salting” movement will help to better understand this principle.

The left-handed Kolovrat has another name, derived from the name of the goddess of love and beauty - Ladinets, and has its own meaning. This symbol is feminine and, unlike the right-handed Kolovrat, which signifies prosperity, purity and connection with supreme beings, helps to reveal the hidden sides of human nature - intuition, clairvoyance and others. magical abilities. As a nice addition, the Lada amulet helps to develop femininity.

Who and how should wear a talisman

All Slavic symbols can be divided into general and narrow-profile ones. The latter often have one interpretation and belong only to a particular deity, while the general ones have a whole bunch of meanings, which is why their image can really be compiled only in in general terms. Therefore, it will not work to describe the meaning of Kolovrat in a few words.

The image of Kolovrat contains all the light that can be found in the human world. It brings purity and order, gives light and harmony, helps to achieve rebirth after the decline and embark on the path of truth. The solar sign is suitable for anyone who is mired in poverty, problems or negativity and wants to complete this stage as soon as possible, not just starting a new cycle, but starting with steps in the right direction.

Ring with Kolovrat - good amulet for men.

The most versatile way to wear a talisman is considered to be a pendant, but in fact there are no restrictions.

The Kolovrat ring is most often chosen by men, because such a massive symbol is difficult to place on a miniature women's ring, but on a ring it is quite possible. Women, on the other hand, prefer pendants, and sometimes even, paying tribute to the ancient Slavic needlewomen, put the solar symbol on clothes and accessories as embroidery.

men

Kolovrat for men will give health, optimism and help to achieve success in advancing career ladder. Wearing an amulet with this sign, you will become stronger, you will begin to look at life easier, worry less about trifles and see opportunities where you did not notice them before. With such protection, neither other people's envy nor black magic rituals will be terrible. Another variety of Kolovrat is - it has a similar meaning and symbolizes the triumph of good over darkness. The amulet can be worn only by men.

Women

Embroidery Kolovrat will be an excellent talisman for women.

For women, it will help improve instinct, which helps to solve problems on a subconscious level and even anticipate them in advance, protecting yourself and loved ones from danger. This sign will help in the search for femininity, so even the fair sex, who do not have a strong magical potential, can wear Ladin to develop sophistication and sophistication in character.

For those who are in a position, the amulet will also demonstrate another, new, meaning - it will become an excellent protector, helping to more harmoniously spend and survive this difficult period for the body and protect the unborn child from everything dashing.

What is Kolovrat made of?

Most often, the Kolovrat amulet is made of metal or wood. Brass and copper are much more "low" materials compared to gold and silver. Therefore, usually masters prefer the latter. These metals have the most powerful energy, and the Kolovrat amulet made from them will become a stronger and more enduring artifact.

However, one should not rely on other people's views in this matter, because quite often such a thing as incompatibility with one or another metal manifests itself in an unexpected way. It can be expressed not only on the physical level - in the form of redness and discomfort, but also on the mental.

A person who has been in contact with the wrong metal for a long time can feel irritation, general weakness in the body, and even a severe headache.

Silver is one of the most neutral durable materials. It is also used as a protection against evil forces, so in tandem, silver and Kolovrat will be excellent companions. But at the same time, Kolovrat is a symbol of the sun, and silver has a “lunar” meaning. Therefore, if you get along well with gold, it will be more logical to opt for it in order to enhance the effect of an amulet with a solar value.

A good option would be an ornament made of an animal or tree bone, because such an acquisition will hit your pocket much less, and the meaning of the symbol will remain the same. But in the case of wood, it is important to pay attention to what kind of wood the thing is made of. The Slavs believed that trees have an inner spirit that has its own gender.

A good option would be a decoration made of wood.

Some of them, such as oak, represent masculine strength and endurance and are perfect for men, but birch and mountain ash symbolize the feminine and cannot be found. mutual language with the strong half of humanity.

It is not enough to choose the right material for decoration. When choosing a pendant, it is equally important to look after the right lace - many people underestimate its importance. If you are wearing silver jewelry and are afraid of losing it when the thread is untied, use a chain made of the same metal. But wooden amulets are well matched in terms of energy with laces made of natural fabrics - like linen or cotton. Leather laces are not welcome, because they carry the energy of a dead animal.

How to clean and charge the amulet

The Kolovrat amulet, like any other artifact created by a person for a specific purpose, must be activated. Without passing through a special rite of initiation, the amulet will not be able to fulfill its purpose and will turn into a simple talisman that can only attract good luck - and then, if you believe in it well.

The ancient Slavs left to their descendants a considerable number of manuals for conducting such rituals, but not all of them available ways are universal. Some of them are ideally designed to work with some characters, but may be completely incompatible with others. This important point should be taken into account by those who decide to purchase the Slavic amulet Kolovrat.

The solstice contains the life-giving energy of the sun, therefore in the best possible way for the "awakening" of the acquired magical attribute, there will be the use of energies native to it - sunlight and fire.

Don't wait until the summer solstice, as some experts say, it's a waste of time. The day of the "launch" also does not matter - only the presence of the sun matters. It is necessary to perform the procedure on the growing moon - ideally a few days before the full moon.

To activate the amulet, the energy of the sun is perfect.

Waking up early in the morning, go outside and leave the object on some elevation - where the sun's rays fall on it. Residents of apartment buildings can take the decoration to the balcony. The number of hours of charging does not play a strong role - this is an individual choice. But at the same time, one should not forget that Kolovrat belongs to the solar signs and keeping it on recharging when the heavenly body began to decline or completely retired does not make sense at all.

Activation with fire is even easier than recharge from the sun, because for this purpose it is not necessary to wait for clear weather. You don’t have to make a fire either - just one candle is enough. Light a candle and hold Kolovrat over it, turning over the dancing tongue in different directions for several minutes. In this case, it is better to remove the cord and keep the pendant away from the flame if it is carved from wood.

Since ancient times, fire has been considered one of the most powerful means of helping to expel all the unclean, sent not only evil people but also otherworldly forces. Therefore, activation by fire here takes on a new meaning, miraculously transforming into a rite of purification. This technique is much more suitable for charms carved from stone, metal or other durable materials, but with due care it can also be used with wooden objects.

If you are afraid to damage something dear to your heart, use the more traditional option - leave the amulet overnight in table salt. Do not forget that cleaning should be carried out before the amulet is filled with the positive energy of sunlight or cleansing fire - the order of actions is very important and therefore cannot be changed.

Is it possible for Christians to wear Kolovrat

The gradual revival of the cult of paganism led to the fact that the traditions of the ancient Slavs and their meanings magic symbols people belonging to other religions began to be very interested. Quite often, people who have converted to Catholicism or Orthodoxy ask if they can wear the sign of Kolovrat.

Of course, no one has the right to prohibit the use of pagan symbols, but the meaning of the Kolovrat amulet is incomparable with Christianity.

The disciples of Jesus worship one God, while the pagans have a whole pantheon. The latter also have a strong connection with nature, which is not paid attention to in a younger religion, although both of them present the world as a three-dimensional model, where there is a place not only for people and gods, but also for souls who have left the physical shell.

It is also worth mentioning the forced rite of the Baptism of Russia, conducted by Prince Vladimir, which replaced Slavic pagan beliefs with Byzantine traditions. It is unlikely that the deities will appreciate the request for support from a person who worships an “alien” God, whose religion razed temples with wooden statues to the ground and for a long time supplanted polytheism as such.

Ask the question "Is it possible for a Christian to wear a Slavic symbol?" - the same as asking if a follower of Buddha or Allah can wear Kolovrat. Everyone independently determines their religion. Even if your parents once made this choice for you, having performed the initiation ceremony in infancy, you can always refuse this faith to accept a new one that is more in line with your worldview and what is of paramount importance to you. But first, it is important to decide - what do you still believe in?

A hero in war is not an easy thing. After all, he who is the savior for one side is the worst enemy for the other. But history knows several personalities who were equally respected by both their own and others. Among them is Evpatiy Kolovrat, whose feat was passed from mouth to mouth for many centuries. Let's learn more about this man and his fate, as well as consider the most famous literary and cinematic works dedicated to him.

Who is Evpatiy Kolovrat?

This name is given to the legendary Ryazan hero, who lived in the first half of the 13th century. in Russia. History has preserved little information about him.

The origin of Yevpaty has not been precisely established by historians, as well as his status in the Ryazan state. According to some versions, he was a governor, according to others - a boyar. At the same time, everyone agrees that Kolovrat was a skilled and experienced warrior and occupied an important place among the nobles, otherwise he would not have been able to assemble an army of 1,700 people.

Nothing is known about Yevpaty's personal life and heartfelt preferences, except that, probably, his patronymic was Lvovich.

The hero was born around 1200. However, this could happen 3-5 years earlier or later. The place of birth is considered to be the village of Frolovo in the Shilovsky volost.

Where did the legend begin?

Having learned who Evpatiy Kolovrat is, it is worth learning more about what he is famous for.

13th century for the lands of the former Kievan Rus and the principalities adjacent to it was a difficult period. The fact is that because of the fragmentation, small states in this territory were easy money for the nomadic Mongol-Tatar tribes, who united under the leadership of various khans and imposed tribute on the principality.

In 1237, the grandson of Genghis Khan, Khan Baty, came with an army to Ryazan and, standing by the Voronezh River, demanded that the local prince pay him a tithe of all the goods in the city, and also give him the beautiful daughter-in-law of the ruler, Eupraxia.

After refusing to do this, Batu ordered to kill the beauty's husband - the prince's son Fedor - and attack the city.

1237 Ryazan fell. It was destroyed to the ground, and its inhabitants, including the ruler, were massacred. In order not to get to Batu, Evpraksia, together with her son, threw herself from the roof of the tower and died.

Shortly after what happened to the ashes, Yevpaty Kolovrat returns from Chernigov. Horrified by what happened, he gathers a small squad (1700 soldiers) and sets off in pursuit.

In the Suzdal lands, Kolovrat and his comrades manage to catch up with the Horde. However, it was unreasonable to engage in battle with the Mongols, since their number significantly exceeded the number of Russians.

Then the people of Evpaty began to partisan in the local forests and gradually cause damage to the enemy troops. It got to the point that the Horde began to think that the forest spirits were taking revenge on them.

Death of Kolovrat

Despite the successful efforts of the squad, after a while they had to engage in open battle with the army of Batu. Moreover, in this battle, Yevpaty Kolovrat showed truly heroic qualities - only several dozen glorious Mongol warriors died at his hands.

Other Russians fought no worse. And although they had no chance of winning, the Horde could not cope with opponents in a fair fight. And in order to destroy the warriors, they began to shoot at them from stone-throwing guns.

As a result, almost all of Kolovrat's comrades and himself died. It happened on January 8-10, 1238.

After several surviving Russians were taken prisoner, Batu learned from them who Yevpaty Kolovrat was and that it was he who commanded the detachment so skillfully.

The Great Khan was struck by the courage of the deceased hero and bitterly regretted that the hero did not serve him. As a reward for bravery, he released the survivors, and gave them the body of Evpatiy, ordering them to bury him with all honors. This was done on January 11th.

Literary works dedicated to Kolovrat

Having learned who Yevpaty Kolovrat is and what he did, it is worth considering in which written sources his story was described.

Although the events themselves took place in 1237-1238. they were first described in chronicles 300 years later.

The first written mention of what happened was at the end of the 16th century in the Tale of the Devastation of Ryazan by Batu.

Today, 3 versions of this work are known. Each of them has differences, but in the description of the main events they are the same. This indicates that, probably, in an earlier period there was original version work that was later lost.

Thanks to the story, a keen interest in the personality of Kolovrat arose in Russian society of the 16th and later centuries.

In future centuries, many famous folklorists, poets and writers considered it their duty to dedicate at least one to Evpatiy Kolovrat.

One of the first was the romantic poet in 1824, who dedicated the poem "Evpaty" to the hero.

After 35 years, another Russian poet wrote "A Song about the Boyar Yevpaty Kolovrat".

And in 1885, the well-known folklore researcher M. G. Khalansky included some folk epics about Kolovrat in his collection “Great Russian Epics of the Kyiv Cycle”.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, interest in the famous hero declined. And only Evenin dedicated his work “The Tale of Evpatiy Kolovrat, of Batu Khan ...” to him.

With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, in order to mobilize the spirit of the people to fight fascism, many writers began to popularize the images epic heroes. They reminded people that in the past their ancestors had to cope with even more terrible enemies. In those years, 3 works were dedicated to the hero at once: “The Tale of Evpaty Kolovrat” (S. Markov), “Evpaty the Furious” (V. Yan) and “Evpaty Kolovrat” (V. Ryakhovsky).

In subsequent years, the story of the hero periodically surfaced in fiction and scientific literature.

A film about Evpaty Kolovrat

Unlike the trio of classic Slavic heroes - Muromets, Popovich and Nikitich - Kolovrat was less popular with filmmakers. The first attempt to transfer his story to the blue screen took place in 1985. It was the cartoon "The Tale of Evpaty Kolovrat", which was not particularly remembered by the audience.

However, in 2015-2016 in the Russian Federation, work began simultaneously on 2 films dedicated to this hero. These are the film by Ivan Shurkhovetsky "The Legend of Kolovrat" and the film "Evpatiy Kolovrat: Ascension" by Rustam Mosafir.

The first of these projects will be released on November 30, 2017. But when the audience will be shown "Evpatiy Kolovrat: Ascension" is unknown.

Neo-pagan interpretation of the myth of Kolovrat

In recent years, when archeology and history are discovering new and unexpected facts that are not hidden by censorship, modern people there is an opportunity to look differently at many famous historical figures. Including Evpatiy Kolovrat.

One of the most famous and scandalous attempts to rethink his image was made by the so-called neo-pagans. Such an unofficial nickname was given to those who are trying to revive the pre-Christian Slavic culture.

So, some representatives of this movement put forward theories that Kolovrat was a pagan, and not a Christian, as he was later depicted in the annals.

In favor of this argument, the facts are given that in the Orthodox calendar of that time there is no name Evpatiy, and the Kolovrat sign in those days was a symbol of the lord of the heavenly fire Svarog and his son Dazhdbog. Considering that, according to archaeological finds, paganism was widespread in Ryazan at least until the 12th century, this means that such a version has the right to life.

Another attempt to interpret the image of Evpatiy is also known. According to her, Kolovrat was not a surname, but a nickname of the hero. Perhaps he was given it for his ability to perfectly fight with two blades at once, while spinning in a circle.

At the same time, one should not exclude the possibility that the hero was a Scandinavian, of whom many lived in Russia in those days. Hence the unusual manner of fighting.

In addition to the above, there is an opinion that Kolovrat is not a real person, but a composite image of several Slavic heroes.

The meaning of the name of the hero, according to Orthodox historians

In response to such theories in many Orthodox forums, there are attempts to challenge the main arguments of the neo-pagans.

According to them, Evpatiy is a variation of the famous Slavic name Ipatiy.

And Kolovrat is old name crossbows with a round handle. So the hero could get his nickname for the ability to perfectly shoot from a bow or crossbow.

Was there a hero?

All of these theories, despite the controversy, have the right to life. After all, in fact, nothing is known about the true fate of Yevpaty Kolovrat, since the story about him was recorded only a few centuries later. That is, the people who wrote it simply physically could not be familiar with any eyewitness to the Ryazan tragedy, which means that their work was more based on their own fantasy, and not on historical facts. How else to explain a number of inconsistencies in this legend?

So, between the capture of Ryazan and the death of the Kolovrat detachment, from 19 to 21 days pass. During this time, the Horde not only manage to rob a huge city, kill all its inhabitants (and there are many of them), but also reach Suzdal (from Ryazan to it is about 280 km along modern roads) with a convoy. Suppose, being experienced nomads, it was not difficult for them.

However, Kolovrat was much more difficult. During the same period, he manages to return to Ryazan from Chernigov (on modern flat roads the distance between cities is 830 km), somewhere quickly gather and arm a squad of 1700 people and catch up with the nomads, having traveled another 280 km.

On foot, they would not have caught up with the Mongols, so they needed horses. That's just where on the lands devastated by the horde to find a herd of almost 2000 heads? This is despite the fact that animals need to be fed with something (and it is winter outside) and give them rest or change to fresher ones.

In addition to problems with transport, the question arises: where did the hero gather such a large number of warriors? After all, the chronicle says that Ryazan was destroyed, and all its defenders were exterminated. Where did 1700 people come from? Were they hiding in the forests while the Horde burned their city? Then what kind of warriors they are, and even such a number of people in the forest behind a bush obviously will not hide.

There is a version that these people were a detachment of Kolovrat, with whom he traveled to Chernigov. But what kind of prince, on the eve of an enemy attack, will release more than 1,500 experienced fighters from the fortress? More likely, Evpaty was sent to meet the Varangian mercenaries, whom the Ryazan ruler wanted to use for protection. Or maybe Kolovrat was one of them? What if the hero was a retired Varangian (according to the chronicles, he was almost 40), who settled in Ryazan, and his wife and children were among the dead? Then it is logical why the mercenaries went after him.

It is also worth remembering that most of the chroniclers were monks who benefited from the spread and exaltation of their own faith. For this purpose, they were even ready to embellish the truth, especially if no one already remembered how it really was. And therefore, even if Evpatiy was even an Arab with an earring in his nose, after 300 years on the pages of the chronicles he could be safely turned into a Slavic knight.

How it really happened, we will never know. However, this is not so important. After all, the main thing is that several centuries ago, among the inhabitants of the Slavic lands oppressed by the Mongols, there were heroes who, without sparing their lives, repulsed the enemy. And they should become an example for their descendants - that is, us.

After watching the new Russian film "The Legend of Kolovrat". Well, as for the movie, everything is there. But what kind of epic is it good to know in more detail.

Evpaty Kolovrat is an epic Russian hero, a Ryazan boyar or governor, a hero of folk tales from the time of Batu's invasion of Russia. The ancient Russian “The Tale of the Devastation of Ryazan by Batu” tells about his feat. This story has been preserved in lists, the oldest of which date back to the end of the XVI century. At the same time, three varieties of this text were reflected in the three oldest lists according to the classification of Academician Dmitry Likhachev.

Despite the remoteness of the events concerning this person, Evpaty Kolovrat is a well-known figure who was quite widely represented in Russian literature, mainly in poems, poems and ballads.

Here's what it says...

Fragment of the diorama "Defense of Old Ryazan in 1237"

The history of Evpatiy Kolovrat is connected with one of the most tragic episodes in the history of Russia - the Mongol invasion, also known as the Invasion of Batu. It was the invasion of the troops of the Mongol Empire on the territory of the Russian principalities in 1237-1240 as part of the Western campaign of the Mongols in 1236-1242. A serious external threat came to Russia at the wrong time for her, Russian state was in a state feudal fragmentation and could not resist the forces of the invaders with combined forces. On the other hand, the united tribes and states could not resist the Mongol army of that period, as evidenced by the conquest of the large states of China, the Caucasus and Central Asia.

The direct invasion of the Mongols into Russia began at the end of 1237. The Ryazan Principality was the first to fall under the rink of the Invasion of Batu. Having defeated the united army of the Ryazan prince Yuri Igorevich and the Murom princes Yuri Davydovich and Oleg Yuryevich on the Voronezh River, the Mongols moved deep into the Russian lands. The Ryazan prince himself survived this battle and returned to Ryazan, the siege of which the Mongol army began on December 16, 1237. The Ryazanians were able to beat off the first attacks, but the forces of the defenders were fading, and more and more detachments approached the Mongols, returning from Pronsk, Izheslavl and other cities taken on December 16-17. It is worth noting that Ryazan was protected by ten-meter ramparts, on which there were high oak walls with loopholes. Fortifications were watered in winter, which froze, making them even more impregnable for the assault troops.

The defenders of Ryazan heroically defended the city for five days, bringing down stones, arrows, boiling tar on the heads of the Mongols, fought in hand-to-hand combat. However, on the sixth day, their forces practically dried up, many soldiers were killed and wounded by that time, and those who remained in the ranks fought on the walls almost invariably, while the Mongols could give their troops rest, rotate and receive reinforcements. In addition, at the final stage of the assault, the Mongols widely used wall-beating machines. The last assault on the city began on the night of December 20-21, after a stubborn battle the Mongols broke into the city, it fell on the sixth day. At the same time, the invaders staged a massacre in the city, destroying the vast majority of the inhabitants of Ryazan, including children and infants, and the Ryazan prince Yuri Igorevich also died. The fortifications were also completely destroyed, and the city itself was never rebuilt on this site. At the same time, the Mongols ravaged not only Ryazan, but the entire principality, destroying a large number of cities and settlements. Some of them historians cannot identify today. For example, the exact location of Belgorod Ryazansky, which was wiped off the face of the earth by the Tumens of Batu and was never restored, is unknown.

By the time the Mongols invaded Russia, Evpaty Kolovrat was about 35 years old. Apparently, he occupied a fairly honorable place under the Ryazan prince, he was a boyar, or rather a governor. He was also a fairly experienced warrior, a talented commander and possessed great physical strength. Even before the fall of Ryazan, Prince Yuri Igorevich sent his people with a request for help to the princes of Vladimir and Chernigov. It was in Chernigov that Evpaty Kolovrat was at that time, and here he found the news of the death of Ryazan and the death of the prince.

Returning to his native land, he found the city and the principality devastated and plundered. He met only scorched earth and ashes, littered with the corpses of the dead. Kolovrat was shocked by the cruelty of the conquerors. Perhaps he returned to his native lands already with a small detachment of Ryazan soldiers who were at the embassy to the Chernigov prince. On the spot, he replenished his forces with surviving people who were outside the walls of the city and hid in the forests. In total, he managed to assemble a detachment with a total number of up to 1,700 people. With these small forces, Evpaty Kolovrat set off in pursuit of the Mongols.

The detachment managed to overtake the conquerors already on the territory of the Suzdal lands. The Mongols did not expect an attack from the rear, confident that the Ryazan squads had already been completely destroyed. The attacks of Yevpaty Kolovrat on the rearguards of the Mongol army turned out to be sudden for the latter. Most likely, Kolovrat also used the tactics of partisan actions, attacks from ambushes, from the forest. In any case, he inflicted serious losses on the enemy with small forces. The Mongols, who did not expect an attack from the devastated Ryazan principality, were horrified, believing that the dead had risen to avenge themselves. At the same time, it is not known for certain how many battles the detachment of Evpaty Kolovrat conducted, there is no consensus on this matter. It is believed that there could be several of them and they were quite successful, as they were able to sow real panic in the rear of the Mongol army.

What was happening in the rear excited Batu, and he deployed significant forces against the attackers. In the end, the overwhelming advantage in the number of troops decided the outcome of the confrontation. The Mongols were able to impose a field battle on the detachment of Evpaty Kolovrat, in fact, in complete encirclement. At the same time, Batu sent the brother of his wife Khostovrul against Kolovrat. He boasted to the khan that he would bring Kolovrat to him alive, but he himself died in battle. As noted in the annals "The Tale of the Devastation of Ryazan by Batu", Kolovrat cut him in half with his sword, right to the saddle.

According to legend, Batu, who did not want to lose his people anymore, sent an ambassador to the Russian soldiers with the question: “What do you want?”. "Only die!" came the answer. Ultimately, seeing the stubbornness with which a handful of Russian warriors fought, the Mongols used vices against them (stone-throwing machines designed to destroy fortifications). It was under a hail of stones that the last Russian warriors from the Kolovrat squad and the hero himself died. It is believed that, admiring the courage of Yevpaty Kolovrat, and also as a sign of respect for his courage, Batu released the Ryazan soldiers captured by the wounded from his detachment with the body of the killed knight so that they would bury him according to their customs.

The personality of Yevpaty Kolovrat, like many characters and events of the 13th century, is, for obvious reasons, shrouded in many questions and secrets. For example, the questions are often discussed whether Evpatiy was a Christian or a pagan? Those who consider him a pagan indicate his name and surname. In their opinion, Kolovrat is a Slavic pagan symbol of the sun, and the name Evpatniy is not in the Saints. Both statements are incorrect. There is not a single ethnographic source that would confirm the ancient Slavic pagan origin of the word Kolovrat and its relationship to the sun. On the contrary, it is reliably known that a geared device for cocking easel crossbows mounted on a special machine - a frame with wheels (in Russia crossbows were called crossbows) was called a self-shooting kolovrat. And the name Evpatia may be directly related to this device or crossbow case.

If we talk about the name Evpatiy itself, then this is a modified form of the Greek estate Ipatiy. In ancient Russia, it was quite common, as it was associated with the revered holy martyr Hypatius of Gangra. In honor of him, one of the oldest Russian monasteries was even built in Kostroma. At the same time, small changes in the pronunciation and spelling of the name Ipatiy are associated with the peculiarities of the linguistic tradition and do not represent anything special. The same Greek name George in the Slavic tradition changed into two different derivative names at once - Yegor and Yuri.

Monument to Evpaty Kolovrat in Ryazan

There is also a version that Evpaty is a collective image that can symbolize not even various people, but all of Russia, which is dying, but does not surrender to the invaders. The same “Tale of the Devastation of Ryazan by Batu” is characterized by features of epic epic songs of the 13th-14th centuries. This work can be considered more as artistic than historical. This can also be indicated by the symbolism and hyperbole that are present in the narrative, and in the text of the story there were numerous inaccuracies associated with historical characters. However, even if Evpaty Kolovrat is just a beautiful legend and he himself is a collective image of the best Russian heroes or even all of Russia, it is still important for our history. Be that as it may, during the Mongol invasion of Russia it was quite possible to meet Russian people of unprecedented fortitude, capable of performing a variety of feats. Thanks to such people, Russian warriors were able to gain fame in the world, and the Russians themselves are perceived as a respectable people.

Currently, in our country there are three monuments dedicated to Yevpaty Kolovrat. All three are located on the territory of the Ryazan region. The first was located in the city of Shilovo, according to some sources, this particular settlement was the birthplace of Kolovrat. The second monument, which is also the most famous, was erected in Ryazan itself in 2007, it is located in the city center on Postal Square and is relatively close to the Kremlin. The third monument was erected at the exit from the village of Frolovo towards the village of Ryassy (in the Shilovsky district of the region).

ADF: in the comments, many began to analyze this legend in detail. I’m wondering, but about Ilya Muromets, you won’t make out whether he fought correctly with the Serpent Gorynych? Ilya then Muromets -

Evpatiy Kolovrat - governor, Ryazan boyar, hero, hero of folk tales about the events of the thirteenth century. The feat of the Russian strongman is described in detail in The Tale of the Ruin of Ryazan by Batu.

The exact date of birth of Evpaty Kolovrat is unknown. According to some sources, the hero was born around 1200. This date is considered to be the year of Evpaty's birth.

One of the sources mentioned the patronymic of the boyar - Lvovich. It is also known that in the earliest legends the hero was named Evpaty Neistov. The homeland of the knight is considered the village of Frolovo, Shilovsky volost. Evpaty - a native of the Ryazan region, a patriot, a hero local resistance times of the Tatar-Mongolian invasion.

Boyar at court

Kolovrat was the governor at the court of the Ryazan prince Yuri. The hero was distinguished by great physical strength, was an experienced warrior, a respected commander of the troops. At the time of the invasion of the Horde, the knight was about 35-37 years old. Prince Yuri understood that Ryazan would not stand against thousands of troops, and sent envoys to Prince Chernigov for help. Evpatiy was among the envoys.

A trip to Chernigov saved Kolovrat from death. Expecting news from his loyal subjects, Prince Yuri presented the khan with gifts to lull his vigilance. Batu demanded that the first beauty of the principality be brought to him, who was the daughter-in-law of the Ryazan ruler. As a result of the refusal, the young prince Fedor was killed, his wife and son were killed, and the army of the Ryazan prince was exterminated in the battle near the Voronezh River.

Prince Yuri accepted death from the enemy on the battlefield. When the ambassadors returned to Ryazan, they found mountains of corpses and scorched earth.

The feat of Russian heroes

When Evpaty returned to his homeland, he learned that the young Prince Fedor had been killed, his wife and heir had died, and the people of Ryazan had been exterminated. Having collected a small regiment from the surviving men, Kolovrat set off in the footsteps of the Horde. His miniature army numbered only seventeen hundred soldiers.

Detachment Evpatiy used tactical tricks. The heroes attacked from the forest, at night or under the cover of fog. The Horde began to believe that they were fighting angry spirits. Fermentation began in the Khan's army. Batu sent the best warriors under the leadership of his brother-in-law to fight the enemy. The Russians were cut off from the path to their hideout and surrounded. The Horde failed to capture the leader of the Ryazan resistance. The brother of Batu's wife Khostovrul fell in battle, but the Russian soldiers did not give up.

Evpaty Kolovrat at the head of the army

The final point in the battle was put by machines for throwing stones. The weapon, which was usually used for the siege of the city walls, was directed against a detachment of Ryazan knights. Almost all the soldiers were stoned to death. Only six people were found alive. Evpatiy Kolovrat died on the battlefield.

The body of the governor was given to the surviving soldiers of his detachment so that they could conduct a worthy burial rite. Tradition says that such a gesture of Batu was evidence of his respect for the military prowess of Kolovrat.

The Tale of the Devastation of Ryazan by Batu

This Old Russian literary work is the most complete source of information about Evpatiy Kolovrat. The plot of the story tells about Batu's attack on the Grand Duchy of Ryazan in 1237. The oldest surviving texts of this work date back to the sixteenth century, until that time the legend was transmitted orally.

For three hundred years, the story has acquired details and inaccuracies. There are at least three versions of the text of this story. All of them tell about who Yevpaty Kolovrat fought with and how valiantly he ended his life.

Personal life

The main source of information about the fate of the Ryazan boyar is a folk tale. The personal life of a warrior is not described in it. It is possible that Evpaty had a lover or wife, but there are no facts in favor of this version.

Memory

Evpaty Kolovrat became a hero of Russian folklore along with such heroes as Ilya Muromets, Ratibor, Dobrynya Nikitich, Nikita Kozhemyaka. The history of the exploits of the hero has become one of the testimonies of the strength of the Russian spirit. In 1985, on the basis of folk tales, a cartoon"The Tale of Evpatiy Kolovrat".

Three monuments were erected to the hero on the territory of the Ryazan region. Two monuments are located near the alleged birthplace of the hero. The third monument was erected in 2007 on Postal Square in Ryazan.

In 2014, it became known that director Rustam Mosafir began filming the film “Evpatiy Kolovrat. Climbing. The film was planned to be made as close to historical events as possible. A year later, the first frames of the tape appeared on the Internet, but for some unknown reason the project was frozen.

At that time, the first information also appeared that the Russian film company Central Partnership was planning to release the film The Legend of Kolovrat. Photos from the filming and the trailer appeared on the Internet in the fall of 2016. The premiere of the film was scheduled for May 2017.

The historical thriller with fantasy elements was included in the list of the most anticipated films of the year. The plot of the tape is indirectly related to the historical events of the invasion of Batu. The filmmakers decided to present the viewer with a fantasy version of the story of the thirteenth century, focusing on the characters and their feelings.

Introduction

If in our previous articles we talked about symbols, the meaning of many of which is known only to those who recognize themselves as part of the millennia-old Slavic culture, then the topic of today will be a symbol that almost everyone has heard of. This is the sacred symbol of the Slavic peoples - Kolovrat.

About Kolovrat, which, by the way, is very rare in relation to ancient Slavic symbols, there is enough good article on Wikipedia. But, of course, the essence of this symbol is difficult to convey in encyclopedic terms, but what to say, and it is difficult to describe it in artistic language. After all Kolovrat for a real Slav is a kind of pillar of the Native Faith. Let's say even more, Kolovrat illuminates life path, leading along the path of Rule, bequeathed to us by our Great Gods and Ancestors.

Symbol meaning

The meaning of the symbol "Kolovrat" everyone should know. But to describe it briefly, as we did with other Slavic symbols, is not at all easy. Dry can be said, as in the same Wikipedia - a sign of the Sun, the cycle of all things, the constancy of the movement of being, and so on. But the meaning of Kolovrat is much deeper.

Let's try to explain with an analogy. Have you heard of the Phoenix Bird? She is reborn again and again. As well as the Sun, which cannot be so easily taken and extinguished. So here it is Kolovrat means the constant revival of the original Faith our ancestors. No matter what persecution occurs against it, no matter what intrigues the enemies build, the Native Faith again raises its head and reincarnates in one form or another. In fact, along with it, the primordially Slavic mentality also wakes up, which distinguishes our people from others. It turns out, Kolovrat is a sign of the strength of the Slavs, their resistance to external threats, the impossibility of their moral and physical destruction. Therefore, the ancient enemies of the Slavic-Aryans react so sharply to it. If you show the Kolovrat symbol to any person, then, by his reaction, you can find out everything about him: after all, only a creature from the world of darkness is capable of hating Kolovrat.

yes symbol Kolovrat has always accompanied our Ancient Ancestors in their glorious deeds. It is sprinkled with the blood and sweat of our bygone generations, who defended Holy Russia in feats of arms and honest labors. Kolovrat (Svarog Wheel) symbolizes the eternal rotation of the Universe, but its main purpose is to always remind us of the Sun and Light, since it brings creation and life to the world. Another Kolovrat is a change of space eras; annual cycles; change of night and day.

Etymology

The Russian word "Kolovrat" consists of two parts: Kolom in ancient Russia the Sun was called, and Gates - Gate, Rotation or Return. Therefore, Kolovrat is the Gate of the Sun or the Return of the Sun. This means that Rodnovers can be safely called - Returning the Sun!

Application area

Modern Slavic Rodnovers know about all this and therefore use Kolovrat on their banners, flags and emblems. Furthermore, Kolovrat is the foundation of the foundations of all faith our ancestors. They were smart and knew that the world is in motion, and everything is changing, only the essence of a person, his moral principles, fortitude should not change.

Kolovrat is six-beam and eight-beam.The eight-beam Kolovrat, among other things, is also a sign of the god Svarog- the creator and creator of the Universe, the god who gave people not only life, but also fire, metal, tools. The symbol of Svarog means the highest wisdom and justice, symbolizing the Rule itself.

Even the colors in which the Kolovrat symbol can be painted also have an extremely important and great importance: black color symbolizes change, change; sky color - renewal; the fiery color is a symbol of rebirth; white - and so everyone understands. Most often, the solar symbol Kolovrat can be seen in bright yellow, depicted on a red-black background.

Wearing attributes (