Vitore

The Vitore (definite Albanian form: Vitorja, also Gjarpni i Shtëpisë, Bolla e Shtëpisë or Ora e Shtëpisë) is a household deity in Albanian mythology and folklore, associated with human destiny and good fortune. Vitorja is usually depicted as a small, colourful and benign golden horned serpent. However, in some traditions Vitorja is described also as an old woman, a mythological figure similar to Nëna e Vatrës. Vitorja is also identified with Fatia in southern folklore and Ora in central and northern folklore.[1][2][3]

Etymology

The name Vitore has been analyzed as descendant from the Albanian vejtare > vektare > vek/vegj, "loom", thus meaning "a spinster, a woman who spins", related to the weaving of fate.[4]

Beliefs

As a serpent, when Vitorja dwell in the walls of a house, it is believed to bring good luck, so the inhabitants treat it with much respect. Its hissing announces important events to the family. The death of the household serpent brings bad luck and even the extintion of the family.[1][3]

References
  1. Elsie 2001, p. 260.
  2. Tirta 2004, pp. 147–149.
  3. Poghirc 1987, p. 179.
  4. Doja 2005, p. 456.

Bibliography
  • Doja, Albert (2005). "Mythology and Destiny" (PDF). Anthropos. 100 (2): 449–462. JSTOR 40466549.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Elsie, Robert (2001). A Dictionary of Albanian Religion, Mythology and Folk Culture. London: Hurst & Company. ISBN 1-85065-570-7.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Poghirc, Cicerone (1987). "Albanian Religion". In Mircea Eliade (ed.). The Encyclopedia of Religion. 1. New York: MacMillan Publishing Co. pp. 178–180.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Tirta, Mark (2004). Petrit Bezhani (ed.). Mitologjia ndër shqiptarë (in Albanian). Tirana: Mësonjëtorja. ISBN 99927-938-9-9.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)


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