Jarilo: Perun's lost tenth son
"Sušec" – the month was named after the fact that the earth is still dry during this time, preparing for spring. Sušec is also the month in which we celebrate the spring equinox – this year, it falls on March 20th. On this day, night and day are of equal length, and after the equinox, the days begin to lengthen. The arrival of spring was of special importance to our ancestors, as there are several spring-themed holidays in this month that are likely closely intertwined. Our Slavic ancestors lit bonfires at the equinox to welcome the arrival of Jarilo.
Jarilo is Perun's lost tenth son, who was kidnapped by Veles and taken to his underworld. There, he was made a shepherd of wolves until spring, when Jarilo returns from the underworld across the sea, bringing the beginning of springtime with him. He is the god of fertility and the bringer of spring, born anew every year. His name originates from the root "jar," which in archaic language means fresh/new, and he was often depicted as half-human and half-horse.
Ancient believers celebrate the arrival of Jarilo, who fertilizes the earth, by the fire, where they exchange "pirhi" (decorated eggs) – symbols of life and birth. Jarilo's arrival was also called "jurjevanje," a festival we still know well today, although stories and customs vary from place to place. The folk festival is celebrated on April 24th or 25th, indicating that our ancestors worshipped Jarilo for almost two months, right up until his wedding, when he becomes Kresnik.
Another holiday this month associated with the arrival of spring is Gregorjevo. Today we celebrate it on March 12th, but in the past, before the calendar change, it was celebrated on March 21st – the first day of spring. The holiday is named after Saint Gregory the Great, who, according to folk tradition, brings light and welcomes the sun and spring. This shows a subtle intertwining of pagan and Christian beliefs. There was a folk belief that girls observed the sky especially carefully on this day, as the first bird a girl saw would announce what her future husband would be like. It is a festival of light and love. According to custom, on the eve of March 11th, "gregorčki" – small boats, houses, or wooden boards illuminated with candles – are released down the stream.
Image on the T-shirt: A white horse with a mane woven from "pirhi" (decorated eggs). Behind the horse, we see Jarilo's face. A graphic symbol is drawn on the horse, which is the ancient Slavic symbol of the god Jarilo. A bird nests in the horse's tail as a symbol of spring and the Gregorjevo festival.
