Meaning & History
Derived from the Proto-Slavic root *jarъ (jar), from Proto-Indo-European *yōr-, *yeh₁ro-, ultimately from *yeh₁r-, meaning "spring; summer; strong; furious". This is the name of an East and South Slavic god of vegetation, fertility and springtime, son to lightning god Perun.As befitting an agricultural deity, Jarylo (or Yarilo) was associated with agricultural imagery, with grains and cereals: he wore a white cloak and a wheat wreath or a crown of flowers on his head and carried a wheat sheaf in his right hand.With the advent of Christianity, Jarylo became identified with St. George and St. John, because the festivals of these two saints fell within the period between first growth and harvest time in the great annual cycle of vegetation and fertility.