Merab Mikeladze

Tbilisi, Georgia

Wine – the Symbol of Georgian Identity

The title of the conference presentation is “Wine - The Symbol of Georgian Identity,” which presents the religious code associated with vines and wine preserved in Georgian folklore and beliefs. The presentation is divided into six parts and covers the following topics:

Kvevri – The Matrix: This section describes the relationship between the form and content of this ancient and national wine vessel.

Wine – The Sun’s Essence: This part refers to the ancient and life-giving sun cult that has always been intertwined with the culture of vines and wine.

Vine – The Tree of Life: In this section, the vine is depicted as a prominent manifestation of the tree of life in Georgian life, whose fruit has revitalizing and redemptive power. Evidence of this is seen in Saint Nino’s Christianization of Georgia through the vine cross.

Georgian Marani – The Earthly Image of Paradise: in Georgian consciousness, the marani (wine cellar) is considered a sacred place, akin to a church, where numerous significant rituals were performed (e.g., wedding ceremonies). Furthermore, the marani is where, through Georgian folklore, the vine emerges as a sacred entity, and the nightingale sings on its branches. The presence of the mother post, regarded as the essence of life, further indicates its sacredness.

Dionysus and the Guardians of Wine: This part discusses the anthropomorphic deities associated with the culture of vines and wine. In the Georgian context, one such deity is the god Aguna. Alongside the Anatolian cult of Dionysus, it also examines small bronze artifacts discovered in archaeological excavations, which are perceived as representations of wine deities based on their attributes and forms.

Bread-Wine, the Ritual of Korbegela, and Multitudinous Celebrations: This concluding part highlights the close religious connection between two crucial cultures in Georgian life – wheat and wine – since the Neolithic period and their sacred unity in rituals. It also discusses the religious significance of the Korbegela ritual, which, alongside the wheat harvest, symbolizes the vine as the Tree of Life honored at God’s altar.