Red Ruthenia

Red Ruthenia or Red Russia ( or , , , ) is a historic term used since the Middle Ages for southeastern Poland and Western Ukraine. First mentioned in a 1321 Polish chronicle, it was the portion of Rus' incorporated into Poland by Casimir the Great during the 14th century. Its name reportedly derives from the old Slavonic use of colours for the cardinal points of the compass. The totem-god Svetovid had four faces; his northern face was white, his western face red, southern black and eastern green. However, Black Ruthenia is west of White Ruthenia. According to another theory, its name is related to the Cherven Cities; some settlements in the area have names related to the color red (cherv- root).