The Sacred Stones in Ancient Greek and Macedonian Folk Traditions

Lidija Kovacheva

Abstract: This paper provides a comparative interpretation of sacred stones in ancient Greek and Macedonian folk traditions. The analysis examines how these images are understood today, first as a mythological figure in the case of Hermes, and second as a belief in the power of sacred stones in both the Ancient Greek and Macedonian folk traditions. The goal of this research is to show the differences, similarities and parallels of these two characters, both in terms of mythology and folk religious interpretations and their vestiges in modern society. By comparing the interpretation of the sacred stones in ancient Greek and Macedonian folk traditions, and then through the comparison of the days that mark their celebration, the aim of this paper is to show that rudiments of Macedonian folk beliefs and customs, although modified, are still strongly present in the folk traditions on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia.

Keywords: Sacred stones, Greece, R of Macedonia, folk traditions, folk beliefs