Jgëræg
Svan · deity · Svan traditional religion; continuing · Recorded classification
Jgëræg is the Svan reflex of Saint George, whose cult overlaid and absorbed an older highland warrior-god so completely that he became the foremost protector of the community. His name derives from the Mingrelian for 'good George'. He guards the people, presides over war and the hunt, and holds mastery over the wolves; in the hunting hierarchy he is counted among the forest gods who serve Ber Shishvlish as patron of wolves and hunters. His great sanctuaries, above all Lagurka at Kala, were places of oath, sacrifice and festival, where his numerous icons and banners embodied his presence. He exemplifies the Svan habit of clothing pre-Christian powers in the names of Orthodox saints while preserving their older functions.
Domains
- human protection
- wolves
- war and hunt
Powers
- protects human society
Epithets
- ჯგჷრაგ ხოშა — great JgërægBardavelidze, Vera (1957), Drevnejshie religioznye verovanija..., Tbilisi (secondary)
Relations
- ally: Ber ShishvlishCharachidzé, Georges (1968), Le système religieux de la Géorgie païenne, Paris: Maspero (secondary)
- ally: ApsatCharachidzé, Georges (1968), Le système religieux de la Géorgie païenne, Paris: Maspero (secondary)
- ally: Cxekis AngelwezCharachidzé, Georges (1968), Le système religieux de la Géorgie païenne, Paris: Maspero (secondary)
Sources
- Jgëræg, the Svan form of Saint George, is the chief protector of humanity in the Svan pantheon and patron of warriors, hunters and wolves.: Bardavelidze, Vera (1957), Drevnejshie religioznye verovanija..., Tbilisi (secondary); Charachidzé, Georges (1968), Le système religieux de la Géorgie païenne, Paris: Maspero (secondary)