Talismans are different. Some believe in the power of a four-leaf clover, others wear a rabbit's foot as a keychain, and others hang a horseshoe over the threshold of the house. And someone trusts the "chicken god", hoping that he will take trouble and trouble away from him.
How did the name appear
"Chicken God" is a medium-sized stone with a hole of natural origin. The hole is usually the result of prolonged exposure to river or sea water.
It is called differently in different countries. In Europe, this stone is known as "the mare's god", the sorceress or witch's stone, "the glass of the druids"
Among the Slavs, he was called exactly "chicken god" or "cattle god", "dog happiness", Boglaz.
This stone, unusual in shape, got its name, most likely, because of the analogy with the phrase "cattle god". It was it that characterized the sphere of influence of the Slavic god Veles.
There is also an assumption that the name "chicken" is a modified "churin", that is, referring to Chur or Shchur, the ancestor. The spirits of the dead were considered by the Slavs to be patrons and protectors of the family.
This stone was hung on a high place in chicken coops and other poultry houses, believing that this would prevent the housekeeper from pinching and spoiling the chickens. Gradually, the belief in the protection of this talisman spread to other livestock. First, they began to install the chicken god in cowsheds, and then in kennels, believing that he would not allow the kikimora to pass the dogs, and the puppies would grow up healthy.
Gradually, this amulet migrated to a human dwelling and began to play the role of a personal talisman.
Beliefs
It is believed that the "chicken god" brings good luck to the one who finds him and protects him from trouble. If such a stone was presented to someone, the recipient of the gift had to kiss the donor, and then luck would pass to him.
According to legend, hanging at the head of the bed, such a stone protected from nightmares, witchcraft and diseases. Placed at the front door, it did not allow witches and witches into the house.
Pebbles with holes were hung on boats to increase the catch and not die in the storm.
In the stables, the "chicken god" was placed for reasons of protection from witches, who, according to popular belief, are great lovers of horseback riding and thus spoil them.
The "Chicken God" was used not only as a talisman. It was often associated with the other world, identifying the hole in it with the entrance to other dimensions. So, if you look at the world through stone, you could see fairies, goblins, elves and the souls of the dead. And if you looked at a person in the same way, you could determine whether he was cheating.
You could also put a stone on your left palm and rub it clockwise around the hole with your thumb. Such a technique was supposed to lead to the fulfillment of desire.
A stone with a hole was also used in folk medicine: for toothache, with difficulty urinating in boys, as well as for the treatment of infants in lactating women.
Now the "chicken god" is used as a talisman to attract good luck. A thread is passed through its hole and worn around the neck.
