Kosovo Myth

Lore & Background

The myth's central narrative involves Prince Lazar's choice between an earthly victory and a heavenly kingdom, symbolized by a grey hawk or falcon from Jerusalem. According to legend, Lazar chose martyrdom, positioning Serbs as a chosen people with a covenant with God. The battle is said to have occurred on Vidovdan, and key figures include Vuk Branković, who is portrayed as a traitor for withdrawing his troops, and Miloš Obilić, who assassinated Sultan Murad I before being executed. In reality, Branković fought valiantly to the end. The myth also features female characters like Princess Milica and the Kosovo Maiden, who symbolize loss and isolation during Ottoman rule.

Reader's Guide

The Kosovo Myth has been a central myth of Serbian nationalism, used to emphasize Serbian identity and claims to the Kosovo region. It was evoked during major historic events such as the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, World War I, the creation of Yugoslavia, and the Yugoslav coup d'état. The myth was especially used to bolster a Serbian victimization narrative during the rise of Serbian nationalism in the 1980s, the breakup of Yugoslavia, and the Kosovo War. It portrays Kosovo as the spiritual and cultural heart of Serbia and has been invoked to justify opposition to Kosovo's independence. The myth's development was influenced by French chanson de geste and was finalized by philologist Vuk Karadžić, who published the 'Kosovo Cycle' after collecting traditional epic poems. It has been perpetuated by artists such as Petar II Petrović-Njegoš, Ivan Meštrović, and Uroš Predić.

Did You Know?

• The myth includes the detail that Prince Lazar was visited by a grey hawk or falcon from Jerusalem offering a choice between an earthly or heavenly kingdom.
• In the myth, Vuk Branković is portrayed as a traitor, but in reality he fought valiantly to the end.
• The red color of the Paeonia peregrina flower symbolizes bloodshed in the Battle of Kosovo in Serbian tradition.
• The myth was primarily used to advocate Serbian nationalism and the unification of Serbs, though it was sometimes invoked in Yugoslav contexts.