Belovodye is the secret of a lost country, which still does not cease to attract the attention of people. In old Russian legends, it is described as a blessed land where there is no arbitrariness of the authorities, and people live peacefully and happily, as in paradise. This country is located in the east, behind high mountains, and is called Belovodie.
Legends about such lands existed not only among Russian peasants, but also among other peoples. Basically, these searches had a religious background. In ancient times, the land of paradise was Iriy – the pagan paradise of the Slavs, where the white Milk River flowed. Later, Iriy became a Christian paradise, and the geography of the location of the pagan centers – the geography of hidden lands.
The first legends about Belovodye date back to the 17th century, when Moscow Orthodoxy was going through hard times. The schismatics, the Old Believers, fled to remote places where the royal power had not yet reached, and composed legends about a blessed land where everyone lives happily ever after, knowing neither need nor disease. In the legends, Belovodye was called differently, but more often – “The Country of White Waters beyond the high mountains.” By the end of the 19th century, this cherished land received a name – Belovodie.
There are many theories about where Belovodie is located. One of the versions connects it with Altai and Tibet. However, no one can officially confirm the existence of this country. Some scholars attribute Belovodye to mythological images and believe that this is a symbolic country that embodies the ideal of happiness and prosperity.
However, despite the fact that Belovodye may be just a myth, it continues to attract people’s attention. After all, everyone wants to find their cherished land, where everyone lives peacefully and happily. As the saying goes: “It doesn’t matter where your paradise is, it’s important that you believe in it.”
