Veles is an important figure in Slavic mythology, known as the god of the earth, underworld, magic, and trickery. He is often depicted as a horned serpent or a bear, and is sometimes associated with wolves or dogs.
Veles was a complex figure in Slavic mythology, sometimes portrayed as an enemy of Perun, the god of thunder and lightning. In some stories, he is said to have stolen Perun’s cattle or his wife, and the two gods engaged in epic battles to settle their disputes.
Despite his reputation as a trickster, Veles was also seen as a powerful and important deity. He was often associated with fertility and prosperity, and his worship was closely tied to the cycles of nature and the changing of the seasons.
In Slavic mythology, Veles was believed to rule over the underworld, where he guarded the souls of the dead and presided over the realm of the ancestors. His association with the earth and its bounty also linked him to agricultural practices and the cycles of growth and harvest.
Veles was revered by many Slavic tribes, who offered him sacrifices and made offerings to appease his power. Even after the Christianization of the Slavic people, Veles remained a prominent figure in their folklore and traditions, and his image was often associated with the natural world and the power of magic.