Fælværa
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Fælværa or Falvara (Ossetian: Фæлвæра, from the Greek: Φλώρος και Λαύρος - "Saints Florus and Laurus")[1] in Ossetian mythology is the protector of sheep and cattle.[2] He is identified with the deity of hunting Æfsati and has a rivalry with the deity of wolves, Tutyr.[3]
One of the earliest references to Fælværa is contained in an article by an anonymous author published in the newspaper "Terskiye Vedomosti" in 1870.[2] Fælværa is called here the "god of cattle", who was represented in the form of a ram and called "Fyrydzuar" or "Fyryzaed" (Iron: Фырыдзуар; Digor: Фырызæд), i.e. "holy ram"; he is asked to increase the number of livestock and in addition, women asked him to give them children.[2]
According to ethnographic research, a ram could serve as a ritual embodiment of Fælværa: among South Ossetians during a holiday dedicated to him in August a boiled ram's head, part of his back, part of a leg and a tail fat were placed in front of the elders, which was a symbol of the presence of the deity Fælværa at the meal.[4][5]
Fælværa's good-heartedness became proverbial: when an Ossetian wanted to praise someone for their humility and meekness he would say: “He looks like Fælværa” [6][7] - and the proverb has survived to this day.[8]
The Russian scientist Vsevolod Miller suggested that the name Fælværa comes from the names of the saints Florus and Laurus.[6] Vasily Abaev,[9][10] Georges Dumézil[11] and many other folklorists and ethnographers also agreed with this etymology.