Ukrainian mythology

Ukrainian Mythology is a section of books about the gods, spirits, and folk beliefs of Ukrainian tradition specifically. Unlike the «Pagan Traditions and Mythologies of the World» section, this one covers Ukrainian and Slavic mythology in particular — house spirits, mountain sorcerers, witches in folk belief, wedding and ritual customs.

The section holds academic encyclopedias, ethnographic studies, and modern mythological fiction alike — each format fits a different reading goal.

Where knowledge of Ukrainian gods and spirits comes from

After the Christianization of Kyivan Rus in 988, the written pagan tradition was cut off — no direct pre-Christian texts survive. What's known about Ukrainian mythology today has been gathered through three different routes.

The first is 19th-20th century ethnographic fieldwork, when folklorists recorded tales and rituals directly from tradition-bearers in villages. The second is academic systematization of those records into reference works and encyclopedias. The third is modern literary and neopagan reinterpretation, building new texts on top of the gathered material.

The Book of Veles: a sacred text or a 20th-century hoax

One of the best-known books on this topic is the Book of Veles, presented as an ancient pagan chronicle carved on wooden boards. Its history only surfaced publicly in the mid-1950s, when the text was printed by a Russian émigré newspaper in San Francisco, attributed to Yuri Mirolyubov.

A 1990 linguistic analysis by scholar Oleg Tvorogov showed the text's language doesn't match any real stage of Slavic language development, and the script itself combines features from several different alphabets. The overwhelming majority of Slavic philology scholars consider the Book of Veles a 20th-century forgery, though who exactly created the hoax has never been conclusively established.

That doesn't erase the book's cultural significance — it became an important text for modern Ukrainian and Slavic neopaganism and is still published in various editions, including the ones in our catalog. But it's worth telling apart the ancient-source status it's sometimes given from the text's real history as a mid-20th-century document.

What books the section carries

The format varies, the subject is the same. A few examples appear in the table.

Price depends on format and volume — from 485 hryvnias for a compact edition to 1,650 for a large illustrated one.

Choosing a book by purpose

For a systematic introduction to the topic, Kononenko's encyclopedic series fits — it covers gods, amulets, and rites across separate volumes.

For a scholarly look at a specific figure or rite, pick an ethnographic study like Halaichuk's or Boryak's work.

For a literary reading of the mythology, try Dara Korniy's or Hromovytsia Berdnyk's prose, and for engaging with the disputed source itself, the Book of Veles works — read with an understanding of its real history.

A consultation can suggest where to start

The section combines scholarly and literary editions — a consultant can help settle on the right format for a specific interest.

• Honest advice on format and reading level.
• Original editions only, checked before they enter the catalog.
• Orders are processed and shipped the same day.
• The loyalty program gives a cumulative discount from one to ten percent, promo codes through the newsletter, and a separate discount on the shop's birthday.
• Help putting together a set — one full series volume or several topics at once.

Books on Ukrainian mythology at Artifacts of the Vedun get bought for scholarly interest, literary reading, and modern neopagan practice alike. Price depends on edition — from 485 hryvnias for a compact book to over 1,600 for a large illustrated edition. If you're unsure which volume or author to start with, a consultant can advise in chat before you order.

Questions about Ukrainian mythology books

How does this section differ from «Pagan Traditions and Mythologies of the World»?

This section covers Ukrainian and Slavic tradition specifically, while the neighboring section spans the mythologies of other peoples worldwide.

Is it worth starting with the Book of Veles if it's a forgery?

That depends on the goal. For a scholarly introduction to pre-Christian beliefs, Kononenko's encyclopedia fits better, while the Book of Veles is worth reading with an understanding of its real history as a 20th-century text.

Do I need prior background for Kononenko's 5-volume series?

No, each volume can be read on its own as a reference by topic — no prior familiarity with the mythology is required.

Can I order just individual volumes of the series instead of the full set?

Yes, each volume is sold separately, so you can order only the topics that interest you.

Do you ship books abroad?

Yes, orders ship outside Ukraine too — a consultant confirms the shipping method and cost for the specific country.