Slavic-Norse Mythology Comparisons

Exploring the connections between Slavic and Norse mythological traditions

Key Parallels

  • Perun and Thor as thunder gods
  • Veles and Loki as trickster figures
  • Similar concepts of the world tree
  • Underworld/afterlife comparisons

Notable Differences

  • Slavic mythology has less emphasis on Ragnarök-like end times
  • Norse mythology has more detailed pantheon structure
  • Different approaches to ancestor worship

Cultural Exchange

The Viking Age brought Norse influences to Slavic lands through trade routes along the Dnieper and Volga rivers. Some scholars suggest shared Indo-European roots for certain mythological motifs.