Apply a blowtorch to the Snow Queen fairytale and you can melt it down to reveal a variety of winter goddesses. One obvious ancestor is the Slavic deity Marzanna who dies every year opening the gates for the spirit of Spring. (Yes, yes, – Hans Christian Anderson was probably also inspired by Holla and Perchta. I’ll be talking about the rest of the pantheon another time.)
Originally holding dominion over the seasons’ rhythms, the metaphor of Winters’ quiet soon included the passing of all, earning her the title “Death Crone”. So She is a lady of not only death, but also life, and rules the natural world cycle. Representing both death and rebirth is a big job for one lady which could be why she has so many incarnations. (See list) Even now, effigies of Marzanna are burned or thrown into the water in the spring. These days it is a light-hearted party ritual, yet still full of superstitions. (often followed by some christianized pagan rituals AKA Easter and Lent.) Personally, I think the modern celebration of her rituals speaks mostly that people are just so damn glad to be out of their houses with warm weather coming. Any excuse for a party.
These spring celebrations typically feature a doll or effigy of the “winter witch” made of straw and dressed in traditional local costume, rags, or even bridesmaid’s clothes. Marzanna may resemble a young woman wearing a garland or as an old hag. The revellers carry the effigy to a bonfire or the water, often singing and chanting . After the sympathetic magic of drowning or burning, merrymaker’s will parade with decorated greenery adorned with ribbons, gee-gaws and even dolls. This modern holiday probably descends from two different ritual ceremonies that have been combined into one big party at the spring equinox. Search “drowning Marzanna” on YouTube and you will see plenty of evidence for a pagan deity still being honored today despite the centuries pushback from christianity\ churches.
Scholars can discuss whether it was a symbolic descent into the underworld, to be reborn with next winter, a sacrifice to the water demons, a transformation from one goddess to another, –
But what I want to know is who wants to make some Marzanna dolls with me? Stay tuned!
Marzanna’s names by country:
- Bulgaria – Mora
- Czech Republic – Morana
- Croatia – Morana
- Lithuania – Marzanna
- Macedonia – Morena
- Poland – Marzanna, Marzyanna
- Russia – Marena
- Serbia – Morana
- Ukraine – Mara
credit: costumes by Anima! X , modelled by Julia Hersick + Anima, images and photos by Anima! X