In ancient times, a large amount of currant grew on the territory of modern Moscow. It is believed that for the first time the appearance of the modern capital was predicted by the Prophet Oleg in 880. Then the Moscow River was also called Smorodinka, and on its banks these shrubs magnificently grew. Of course, scientists do not dispute the fact of the founding of the Russian capital by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. However, it is possible that her story goes back much deeper.
The main interpretations of the meaning of the word "currant"
One of the most valuable berry crops of the Slavs was currants. The origin of the word in Russian, which is called the famous shrub, has two versions. According to one of them, it comes from the word "stench." In the days of Ancient Russia, it meant “smell”, “aroma”. Here the meaning of the word can have both a positive and a negative connotation.
The word "Currant" comes from the ancient word "Currant", which used to be called as a persistent unpleasant odor, and incense. According to another version, the word "Currant" comes from the word "Nugget", which means "naturally born, with no beginning."
The first mention of the berry
There is a legend according to which currant berries were first tested by Arabs in the 7th century BC. e. Then the successor of King Mohammed ascended the throne of Damascus, and an army of armed Muslims broke into Spain. The conquerors decided to feast on red berries, which turned out to be like Palestinian rhubarb. Then the berry was called "Ribes." But currants were never imported into the territory of Russia. It was found by the Slavs in finished form. Therefore, the etymology of the word "currant" has precisely Slavic roots.
The legend of Kalinov bridge
This word is also of particular interest in connection with numerous myths about the mysterious river of the same name. Currant with fiery waves, which separates the world of the living from the world of the dead, crosses Kalinov bridge. The path of the heroes of Slavic myths to the kingdom of the death goddess Morana is filled with obstacles. One of them is the Currant River. The origin of the word according to another version means the color of this river - "red, fiery." Some researchers are convinced that the phrase “Kalinov Bridge” is endowed with the same meaning. After all, the word "viburnum" also means "fiery red," "red-hot."
"Kalinov bridge" is the etymology of the word. Currants and hunting for mammoths
Other scientists believe that the mythical bridge did not acquire such a name because of its color, but because it was made from branches of a viburnum tree. The origin of this name may be associated with the hunt of ancient people for mammoths. In order to catch an ancient animal, a pit trap was usually arranged, covered with branches. These branches, according to researchers, constituted the basis for the myth of the Kalinovy Bridge. To catch a mammoth, they drove him in a certain direction with the help of fire branches, which became the prototype of a river with waves of fire.
Analogs in myths of other countries
The river of death existed not only in the Slavic epos. For example, the river Styx is known in ancient Greek myths . Through it, souls were transported to the kingdom of the gloomy god Hades. But, unlike Slavic ideas, the riverbanks were not separated by a bridge. In the myths of ancient Greece, the dead crossed the river of oblivion (Summer) and the river of sorrow (Acheron) in the boat of the carrier Acheron. According to the Hellenes, the river, consisting of waves of fire, was an obstacle to the soul, dividing the world of the living from the world of the dead.
The inhabitants of the coast of Currant
Another adversary on the way from one world to another was a terrible guard - the Serpent, or Miracle-Yudo. With him on the Kalinov bridge fought the heroes of ancient Slavic myths. Baba Yaga is also a famous character who lives near the Kalinov bridge on the banks of the Currant River. The origin of the word "Yaga" has many interpretations. The Russian ethnographer N. Abramov suggested that it comes from the name of clothing.
"Yaga", or "Frog" was the subject of the wardrobe of the ancient Slavs, which was worn with fur outside. This type of clothing was a mandatory attribute of evil in Slavic myths and beliefs. But some researchers go even further in their ideas about why such a name was given to the mythical resident of the Smorodina River. They connect the origin of the word "Yaga" with the ancient Indian term "yagya", which means "sacrifice." The word "woman", if pronounced with emphasis on the last syllable, means the concept of "hermit".
Where does the real currant flow?
According to some assumptions, the Smorodina River has a very real prototype. Scientists who are interested in how the word "Currant" came about believe that this is actually the name of the Sestra River, located in the vicinity of St. Petersburg. Its original name - “Sisterjoke” - comes from the Finnish language. The word "Sister" in Finnish means "currant", and "yoke" - "river". This hypothesis is also confirmed by the legend about the Smorodin River. Indeed, according to legend, this swirling river is surrounded by swamp swamps, while it itself is wayward and bustling. The same characteristics are characteristic of the Sister River.