Slavic mythology (outfit post)/ Slavenska mitologija (odjevna kombinacija)


I've come to the conclusion that you can dress down pretty much anything with a denim vest! For example this metallic gold(ish) dress...with a little denim it is easily transformed into a casual outfit...pair it with comfy leather shoes...and you're all set. I've bought this denim vest few years ago and did a little DIY (flowers embroidery) on it and I must say, I have found it to be very practical.
 


According to original Slavic religion, the soul of a dead person would find its resting place in a tree. Perhaps that explains why I like trees. However, if the soul was cursed or wicked, the tree would refuse to take it in...and the god of the underground (not a nice guy) would claim it. There was another way out...if you were a brave warrior, the fighting fairies (vile bojovnice) would take you to live with the Gods...and if that sounds similar to the Scandinavian mythology, it is because it is - very similar. In fact I'm often amazed at how similar the  mythologies really are.
Yesterday it was rainy and cloudy, while today the weather is pretty much perfect. I even sunbathed (perhaps I'll show you photos tomorrow) and gosh it felt good! Anyway, bad weather sometimes makes for interesting photos. I love how the cloudy weather made this place look kind of magical. Perhaps, that is why the old tales came to my mind...There are many tales of magical creatures in the Slavic lore, but the one that interest me the most is---guess---a fairy.
In the oral tradition of our people, fairy looks like a beautiful women, but her beauty is so great that it can be bewitching. Man may fall in love with them, but such love rarely has a happy end. Fairies are not material but spiritual beings, but usually they appear in the form of a young women clad in white. There are many kinds of them, living in a different elements (like wind or water) or living in different locations like a forest or a mountain. There is famous fairy in the Croatian mythology that is supposed to live in the mountain Velebit. Vila Velebita (as she is called) is supposed to be kind and help people. In the Serbian oral tradition one of the best known fairies is the one connected to the prince Marko and her name is Ravijola.

Fairies exists in all Slavic oral traditions. The myth of the fairy is especially strong among South Slavs. We have so many stories about them. They get mixed up in everything, in political and historical events, sometimes even helping heroes in the battles. However, fairies are kind of hard to describe. Perhaps because they're magical?  Sometimes they help people, but if you make them mad they will take revenge on you.  They are wild, powerful and cannot be tamed.
One of creatures that also can be considered fairies are Rusalke. Russian tradition (as well as our own) describes them as women with green hair that live in the water. Rusalke are female spiritis or ghost...Many of them were tragically murdered and now they seek revenge. Supposedly some of them can predict the future. One of well known fantasy writers today used them in his novel Tigana. Some references to this kind of creature were made in the Harry Potter series as well. In Poland, the name for these spirits are Rusalje. According to their traditions, they reside in water and are the queen of fairies, the most powerful of them.  Legends says that only witches are the brave enough to swim with them.
Water fairies are also considered the most powerful fairies in the Croatian oral literature. Why is that? Perhaps because the water is the element of life, the place where life itself was created. I have once read one very sad  story where the water fairy drown the man she was in love with because she couldn't have him. The difference between good and bad fairies is hard to pin down...perhaps it doesn't really exist. From what I've gathered from the stories, fairies are a lot like people. If you're kind to them, they'll probably be kind to you...and if they bewitch you...well, what can you do?
The first fairy that bewitched me came from a children's book. Her name is Kosjenka (like a shadow) and she is the fastest and the wildest fairy of all the air fairies. Ivana Brlić Mažuranić, an excellent writer,  created her in the her fairytale  Rogoč. Those two...and odd couple indeed...a little hyperactive fairy and a giant (for Rogoč is a giant) will forever be stuck in my head. I recently even told this story to my little nephew and he found it to be very amusing, especially the part where Rogoč makes an earring of sort to carry Kosjenka in. Now, was that the first metro-sexual?  No, I think in his case that was a sign of love and friendship and that earring was not a fashion statement.....Thank you for reading. xoxo

Comments

  1. I love your dress, and these pictures are beautiful, looks like a very peaceful place, I wish to be there right now...
    kisses dear
    www.petitgraphie.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. thank you dear:) hope you can visit some day;)

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  2. I absolutely agree, you can dress anything with a denim vest (or even a jacket), be it a ball gown too!! That's a beautiful tale on the soul of dead people inhabiting in trees. I love hearing about the different cultures and their take on, well, after life if you will. And these pictures are beautiful, they tell a story, even if it's cloudy and not the best lighting conditions, creates a spectacular mood~

    WWW.ROXTHEFOX.COM

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always love to read about different cultures, makes me feel somehow richer... Thank you for you comment!

      Delete
  3. very nice my dear:)
    www.borsadimarypoppins.com

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  4. Bas mi se svidja mali prsluk totalno sam opsjednuta njima u poslednje vrjeme :D Super su ti slicice!

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  5. You look so pretty Ivana. I love your outfit. Easy to wear all day. And this place is just magical!
    Best Regards
    Miss Margaret Cruzemark
    http://margaretcruzemark.blogspot.com/

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  6. Cute pics :)
    Oh and I wanted to ask you a question! On my last post you said that you use Ebelin and Balea products, too so I just wanted to know where you bought them. Because I always thought you can only get these in Germany but you are not from Germany, are you? Would love to hear about your experiences :)
    xx
    www.clothesandcamera.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for this information, I didn´t know you´re having DM over there but it´s great to know ;)
      xx

      Delete
  7. Nice dress and you have there sooo nice nature. Have a great day.

    http://www.fashiondenis.com/

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  8. Hey,
    great pictures! You look so sweet.
    Thanks for your comment on my blog, maybe we can follow each other on bloglovin, let me know.
    Love

    http://wolkedrei.blogspot.de/

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  9. Beautiful!
    YuliConversations.blogspot.com

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  10. oh this post about your mythology was so interesting, i always was fascinated by nordic mythology it´s really crazy how similar some things are! oh and of course you look great i love that you pair that denim vest to your dress!
    lots of love and kisses,mary
    http://www.maryloucinnamon.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, mythology is really fascinating subject. Thank you for your comment dear Mary Lou! I just love saying that name:)

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  11. REALLY GREAT POST ,NICE BLOG BTW !
    MAYBE WE FOLLOW EACH OTHER ON GFC , BLOGLOVIN AND FACEBOOK .. LET ME KNOW !

    Come and see my new post on :
    www.hypnocake.blogspot.com

    = BADER LAMONT FROM CASABLANCA =

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  12. I like the way you dressed down the outfit, sometimes its more practical. I would love to see a copy of the play! Oh and I like the added mythology as I'm very interested in it, xoxo.

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  13. I'm loving your top! And the location is just breathtakingly beautiful. Nice blog! x

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  14. Dear Ivana, it was a really good idea to DIY the denim-vest because this vest makes your outfit cool and casual <3

    Very interesting post! Never heard before that the soul of dead people lives in a tree. Now I have something to think about ...

    Wish you a wonderful evening!

    Big hugs for you
    xx from Bavaria, Rena

    www.dressedwithsoul.blogspot.de

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you...I also wish you a great weekend.

      Delete
  15. Super post, zanimljivo za procitati :-) kombinacija mi je odlicna... prsluk je mrak i slazem se da ide na sve :-) meni i traper kosulja ide uvijek na sve i sa svime bi je nosila :-)

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    Replies
    1. slažem se...traper košulje su odlična stvar.

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  16. Wonderful outfit in combination with the lanscapes.
    Marvellous trees!

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  17. Baš zanimljivo štivo uz fotke :)))

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  18. piękne widoki, piękne zdjęcia :)

    http://newlifewithfashion.blogspot.com/2013/05/462-nude-coat-and-wine-dress.html

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  19. Gorgeous look
    Love your pics

    www.kajalmaharaj.blogspot.com

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  20. You are definitely equally gorgeous as that backdrop, you can never go wrong with a denim vest .....& thanks for sharing a piece of Slavic mythology (love those tales!)

    Rebecca
    www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

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  21. Wonderful place and I love this outfit, very nice style :)

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  22. Hvala ti na divnom komentaru i na pracenju!
    Pratim nazad <3

    :**

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  23. ja sam rodena u gradu bajke , Ogulinu hehe odale je nasa Ivana, volim njene bajke i sve povezano s bajkama

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  24. Hello Ivana,

    gosh - this dress is short. Looks almost like a longshirt. I say it again: your legs are stunning and your dress is perfect for this!!! Your shoes looks also great - nice colour, perfect to your dress.

    But i dont like denim/jeans not really - i wear it not very often. I think a black vest in combo to your black tights should be fantatsic.

    Great post dear!

    Bye.

    Jennifer

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    Replies
    1. I have another post with this dress that I will publish soon...I think it looks better without the vest too.

      I like wearing denim vests to make an outfit more casual...but it doesn't always look as cool as I want it too:)

      Delete
    2. "I have another post with this dress that I will publish soon..." - great!!! i cant wait to see it.

      Bye.

      Jennifer

      Delete

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All your comments mean a lot to me, even the criticism. Naravno da mi puno znači što ste uzeli vrijeme da nešto napišete, pa makar to bila i kritika. Per me le vostre parole sono sempre preziose anche quando si tratta di critiche.

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