Adgilis deda
Encyclopedia
Adgilis Deda — literally, the "mother of locality" or "place-mother" — is a deity in the pre-Christian
Georgian pantheon
, especially revered by the mountaineers of northeast Georgia
, such as the Khevsurs, as a protective spirit of a place (genius loci
) and also as a deity of fertility of humans and livestock alike.
The ancient Georgians believed that each place — mountain, hill, ravine — had a "mother" which they called the "place-mother". She was portrayed as a beautiful lady with silver jewelry who patronized not only the location but also the foreigners who travelled in this area. With the advent of Christianity
, this cult became closely associated with that of the Virgin Mary (Mother of God). They share some common features of rituals and Adgilis Ghvtismshobeli ("Mother of God of the Place") is still worshipped as a patroness of the community among the Georgian highlanders.
Pre-Christian
Pre-Christian may mean:*before Christianization**historical polytheism *BC**Classical Antiquity**Iron Age...
Georgian pantheon
Georgian mythology
The article is about the mythology of the country of Georgia.Georgian myths and legends are preserved mainly as popular tales. Many of them have eventually fused with Christian legends after Christianization of Georgia more than fifteen centuries ago....
, especially revered by the mountaineers of northeast Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
, such as the Khevsurs, as a protective spirit of a place (genius loci
Genius loci
In classical Roman religion a genius loci was the protective spirit of a place. It was often depicted in religious iconography as a figure holding a Cornucopia, patera and/or a snake. There are many Roman altars found in Western Europe dedicated in whole or in part to the particular Genius Loci...
) and also as a deity of fertility of humans and livestock alike.
The ancient Georgians believed that each place — mountain, hill, ravine — had a "mother" which they called the "place-mother". She was portrayed as a beautiful lady with silver jewelry who patronized not only the location but also the foreigners who travelled in this area. With the advent of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, this cult became closely associated with that of the Virgin Mary (Mother of God). They share some common features of rituals and Adgilis Ghvtismshobeli ("Mother of God of the Place") is still worshipped as a patroness of the community among the Georgian highlanders.