"choppa (valentine's day)"

i got fascinated by lightning a couple of years ago and as i dove into reading about folklore and mythology surrounding it, i came across a paper detailing beliefs surrounding lightning from hundreds of years ago in the caucuses region. i learned about the “royal graves of thunder” and how being struck by lightning was an honor and you were considered touched by god. i learned that there was a special burial rite for those struck by lightning. the dead were put in caskets and placed on carts pulled by two white-spotted oxen, and then animals were allowed to roam where they pleased. the place where the oxen stopped was the burial spot. the dead were placed on a bed of stones, and then stones were placed on the casket. a ring of fire was started around the casket. a pole was planted in the ground and on that were hung the lightning victim’s clothing. on another pole was placed the head of a sacrificed goat. then, a feast and celebration was held with dancing and singing and joy. they would also chant, “choppa.”

this painting is about and portrays a couple that was struck by lightning and buried together.

it is a valentine’s day painting.