The Vitore ( sq-definite, Vitorja, also ''Gjarpni i Votrës'', ''Gjarpni i Shtëpisë'', ''Bolla e Shtëpisë'' or '' Ora e Shtëpisë'') is a

household A household consists of one or more persons who live in the same dwelling. It may be of a single family or another type of person group. The household is the basic unit of analysis in many social, microeconomic and government models, and is im ...

divine serpent (''gjarpër'' or ''bollë'') in Albanian mythology and folklore, associated with human

destiny Destiny, sometimes also called fate (), is a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual. Fate Although often used interchangeably, the words ''fate'' and ''destiny'' ...

good fortune Good Fortune may refer to: * ''Good Fortune'' (film), a film by Aziz Ansari * "Good Fortune" (song), a song by PJ Harvey * ''Good Fortune'' (Brotherhood of Man album) * ''Good Fortune'' (78 Saab album) See also * Good fortune, the concept ...

and the souls of the ancestors. In folk beliefs the household serpent is strongly related to the cult of the hearth (

vatër The (or ; sq-definite, vatra or ) is the domestic hearth in Albanian culture. The fire of the domestic hearth (') holds divine attributes in Albanian beliefs, being considered the sustainer of the continuity between the world of the living an ...

) and it is especially considered the guardian of the family and the house.

Etymology

The name ''Vitore'' has been analyzed as descendant from the

Albanian Albanian may refer to: *Pertaining to Albania in Southeast Europe; in particular: **Albanians, an ethnic group native to the Balkans **Albanian language **Albanian culture **Demographics of Albania, includes other ethnic groups within the country ...

> > /, "

loom A loom is a device used to weaving, weave cloth and tapestry. The basic purpose of any loom is to hold the Warp (weaving), warp threads under tension (mechanics), tension to facilitate the interweaving of the weft threads. The precise shape of ...

", thus meaning "a spinster, a woman who spins", related to the

weaving Weaving is a method of textile production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. Other methods are knitting, crocheting, felting, and braiding or plaiting. The longitudinal ...

fate Destiny, sometimes also called fate (), is a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predeterminism, predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual. Fate Although often used interchangeably, the words wiktionary ...

. The Albanian terms ''gjarpën/gjarpër'' ( def.: ''gjarp(ë)ni''/''gjarp(ë)ri'') and ''bollë'' (def.: ''bolla'') mean 'serpent, snake', ''

'' (def.: ''vatra'') means 'hearth' and ''shtëpi/shpi'' (def.: ''shtëpia/shpia'') means 'house'.

Beliefs

The serpent is an animal

totem A totem (from or ''doodem'') is a spirit being, sacred object, or symbol that serves as an emblem of a group of people, such as a family, clan, lineage (anthropology), lineage, or tribe, such as in the Anishinaabe clan system. While the word ...

of the

Albanians The Albanians are an ethnic group native to the Balkan Peninsula who share a common Albanian ancestry, Albanian culture, culture, Albanian history, history and Albanian language, language. They are the main ethnic group of Albania and Kosovo, ...

, especially in the north. The belief of the personification of the souls of the ancestors in household serpents has been handed down from prehistoric times. The widespread cult of the serpent among Albanians is related to Illyrian beliefs. Vitorja is usually described 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 Nëna e Vatrës or Nana e Votrës ("The Mother of the Hearth") is an Albanian mythological figure, the protector of the hearth (), associated with the household fire worship, the cult of the ancestor and family life. She is sometimes regarded as ...

. Vitorja is also identified with Fatia in southern folklore and Ora in central and northern folklore.; ; . 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 extinction of the family. The household serpent is said to walk around the house marking the territory it guards.

References

Bibliography

* * * * * * * * * {{Albanian mythology Albanian paganism Albanian legendary creatures Albanian mythology Domestic and hearth deities Snake deities