Foreign Literature Studies ›› 2020, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (1): 42-53.

• Nature and Eco-Writing along the Steppe Silk Road • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The Origin of Polytheism and Shamanism in Russian and Mongolian Tree Worship

Liang Kun   

  • Online:2020-02-25 Published:2021-02-26
  • About author:Liang Kun is a professor at the School of Liberal Arts, Renmin University of China (Beijing 100872, China), specializing in ecological writings on Prairie Silk Road, mythological poetics of Mikhail Bulgakov's novels, the prototype and evolution of western literature. Email: rucliangkun@163.com
  • Supported by:
    “Study on Russian Ecological Thought and Literature” (15BWW029) sponsored by the National Social Science Fund of China; Central Colleges and Universities to Build World-Class Universities (Disciplines) and Special Development Guidance Special Funds

Abstract: There is profound tradition of tree worship on the grassland Silk Road with a focus on Russia and Mongolia. The overlapping historical and cultural layer between Russia and Mongolia provides a deep influence from primitive beliefs, such as polytheism and shamanism, on the national spirit of Russia. “World Tree” and its derivative forms, “Life Tree”, “Human Tree”, “Family Tree”, “Shaman Tree” and many other variants, embody human gratitude and reverence toward the Mother Nature, reflecting the most true and pure spiritual core of human beings. The various kinds of tree worship, either in real life or in myths, epics, and literary texts, have shown the evidence of mutual penetration and assimilation between the concepts of Polytheism and Shamanism and those of Buddhism, Orthodox Church, and Islam. The value of primitive culture that transcends time and space offers a lesson for modern people. Polytheism and Shamanism in northern Eurasia are the guardians of forest trees and even the whole nature. A return to these primitive beliefs might be an effective way to resolve the ecological crisis of modern times.

Key words: Russia, Mongolia, tree worship, Polytheism, Shamanism

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