Latvian mythology
Encyclopedia
Latvian culture, along with Lithuanian, is among the oldest surviving Indo-European cultures. Much of its symbolism (an example is the pērkonkrusts or thunder cross) is ancient. Its seasons, festivals, and numerous deities reflect the essential agrarian nature of Latvian tribal life. These seasons and festivals are still noted, if not also celebrated today—for example, Jāņi
Jani
Jāņi is a Latvian festival held in the night from 23 June to 24 June to celebrate the summer solstice , the shortest night and longest day of the year. The day of Līgo and the day of Jāņi are public holidays, and people usually spend them in the countryside...

 is a national holiday.

The legacy of Latvian mythology is also seen in contemporary Christian holidays. Christmas is called Ziemassvētki
Ziemassvetki
In ancient Latvia, Ziemassvētki was a festival, celebrated on 21 December, which was one of the two most important holidays, the other being Jāņi. Ziemassvētki celebrated the Winter Solstice...

. Not only is Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...

 called Lieldienas
Lieldienas
In ancient Latvia, Lieldienas was the celebration of Vernal Equinox on March 23. The celebration usually lasted three or four days; each day was devoted to a specific deity, though no source gives the names of the respective deity. At least one day is probably dedicated to Māra.Lieldienas was a...

, but the pussy willow
Pussy Willow
Pussy willow is a name given to many of the smaller species of the genus Salix when their furry catkins are young in early spring...

 has supplanted the palm frond in Christian symbolism. Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is a Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in all four Canonical Gospels. ....

 is Pūpolsvētdiena, literally, Pussy Willow Sunday, and little children are awoken that morning by the ritualistic swats of a willow branch and the exclamation, "Apaļš kā pūpols, apaļš kā pūpols, apaļš kā pūpols!" ("Round like (the catkins of) a pussy willow!")
Also used "Apaļš kā pūpols, vesels kā pūpols!" - " Round like Pussy willow, healthy like Pussy Willow!" That way giving a blessing of good health for the year coming until Next Pussy Willow Sunday.

Historical sources

In AD 98, Tacitus, a Roman
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....

, mentioned the worship of a goddess-mother in the Baltic region (see Aesti
Aesti
The Aesti were a people described by the Roman historian Tacitus in his treatise Germania . According to this account, the Aestii lived on the shore of the Suebian Sea , eastward of the Suiones and westward of the Sitones. They were a population of Suebia...

). Reports of Christianization
Christianization
The historical phenomenon of Christianization is the conversion of individuals to Christianity or the conversion of entire peoples at once...

 give unbalanced information. We do know that some tribes had had their religious beliefs declining for some time, and accepted Christianity willingly. Others, such as the Curonians
Curonians
The Curonians or Kurs were a Baltic tribe living on the shores of the Baltic sea in what are now the western parts of Latvia and Lithuania from the 5th to the 16th centuries, when they merged with other Baltic tribes. They gave their name to the region of Courland , and they spoke the Old...

 and Semigallians
Semigallians
Semigallians were the Baltic tribe that lived in the southcentral part of contemporary Latvia and northern Lithuania...

, resisted Christianization. Later texts by authors who presumably knew nothing of Latvian beliefs, substituted supposedly authoritative work substituting Prussian deities, adding extremely unlikely explanations and etymologies
Etymology
Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time.For languages with a long written history, etymologists make use of texts in these languages and texts about the languages to gather knowledge about how words were used during...

.

Folklore

Latvian folklore was recorded mostly after the 19th century, therefore it sometimes can be quite Christianized. Still, the traditions are layered rather than merged. These records sometimes also contain the opinions of the mythographers, giving their ideas about how the folklore might have been transformed over time.

Folk songs

Latvian folk songs, named Dainas by Krišjānis Barons
Krišjanis Barons
Krišjānis Barons is known as the "father of the dainas" thanks largely to his systematization of the Latvian folk songs and his labour in preparing their texts for publication in Latvju dainas. His portrait appears on the 100-lat banknote, the only human face of a living person on modern Latvian...

, presumably could be the best sources due to the need to keep rhythm, and therefore are learned word by word, thus even in one song the first verse can speak of the same subject in singular while others refer to the subject in plural, indicating that there has been innovation.

Tales

Most tales contain folklorised reality – information of ancient events or archaeological sites, and mythological tales concerning good and evil. Despite that, they give slight outline to ancient mythology – it is quite clear that "devil" is used to describe anything pagan, thus describing ancient cult places, and in a few cases they give a better idea about the original beliefs than the folk songs do; i.e. the folk songs do not directly point to Mēness adultery as the tales do.

Folk beliefs and proverbs

Latvian beliefs and proverbs give insight into everyday rituals and folk medicine.

Seasons and festivals

Historically, Latvians recognized eight seasons to the year. The end of one season and the beginning of the next was marked by a festival.












































The Latvian Mythological Calendar
Modern SeasonLatvian EquivalentsBoundary Festivals
Winter Winter Time (Ziemas laiks) Ziemassvētki
Ziemassvetki
In ancient Latvia, Ziemassvētki was a festival, celebrated on 21 December, which was one of the two most important holidays, the other being Jāņi. Ziemassvētki celebrated the Winter Solstice...

 – Meteņi
Meteni
In ancient Latvia, Meteņi was a festival celebrated on February 23. The primary attraction was a feast which included all the parts of a pig, bread, barley and beer. The people also went sledding. The degree to which one celebrated Meteņi was believed to be proportional to the success of one's...

Winter Frost Time (Sērsnu laiks) Meteņi
Meteni
In ancient Latvia, Meteņi was a festival celebrated on February 23. The primary attraction was a feast which included all the parts of a pig, bread, barley and beer. The people also went sledding. The degree to which one celebrated Meteņi was believed to be proportional to the success of one's...

 – Lieldienas
Lieldienas
In ancient Latvia, Lieldienas was the celebration of Vernal Equinox on March 23. The celebration usually lasted three or four days; each day was devoted to a specific deity, though no source gives the names of the respective deity. At least one day is probably dedicated to Māra.Lieldienas was a...

Spring Spring Time (Pavasara laiks) Lieldienas
Lieldienas
In ancient Latvia, Lieldienas was the celebration of Vernal Equinox on March 23. The celebration usually lasted three or four days; each day was devoted to a specific deity, though no source gives the names of the respective deity. At least one day is probably dedicated to Māra.Lieldienas was a...

 – Jurģi
Jurgi
In ancient Latvia, Jurģi was a festival held on April 23. It was the beginning of summer, and the first day of outdoor farmwork and shepherding. It was sacred to the god Usins.Livestock were allowed to graze outside after this day...

Spring Planting Time (Sējas laiks) Jurģi
Jurgi
In ancient Latvia, Jurģi was a festival held on April 23. It was the beginning of summer, and the first day of outdoor farmwork and shepherding. It was sacred to the god Usins.Livestock were allowed to graze outside after this day...

 – Jāņi
Jani
Jāņi is a Latvian festival held in the night from 23 June to 24 June to celebrate the summer solstice , the shortest night and longest day of the year. The day of Līgo and the day of Jāņi are public holidays, and people usually spend them in the countryside...

Summer Threshing Time (Siena laiks) Jāņi
Jani
Jāņi is a Latvian festival held in the night from 23 June to 24 June to celebrate the summer solstice , the shortest night and longest day of the year. The day of Līgo and the day of Jāņi are public holidays, and people usually spend them in the countryside...

 – Māras
Maras
In ancient Latvia, Māras or Māras diena was a festival, celebrated on August 15, held in honor of Māra, the Latvian goddess. It marked the midpoint between Jāņi and Miķeļi...

Summer Autumn time (Rudens laiks) Māras
Maras
In ancient Latvia, Māras or Māras diena was a festival, celebrated on August 15, held in honor of Māra, the Latvian goddess. It marked the midpoint between Jāņi and Miķeļi...

 – Miķeļi
Mikeli
In ancient Latvia, Miķeļi was a festival held on September 22–September 24, during the dzelzs nedēļa meaning "the week of iron." The holiday was held sacred and associated with the gods Miķelis and Jumis....

Autumn Spirits Time (Veļu laiks) Miķeļi
Mikeli
In ancient Latvia, Miķeļi was a festival held on September 22–September 24, during the dzelzs nedēļa meaning "the week of iron." The holiday was held sacred and associated with the gods Miķelis and Jumis....

 – Mārtiņi
Martini
Martini may refer to:* Martini , a popular cocktail* Martini , a brand of vermouth* Martini , a Swiss automobile company* Martini , a French manufacturer of racing cars...

Autumn Ice Time (Ledus laiks) Mārtiņi
Martini
Martini may refer to:* Martini , a popular cocktail* Martini , a brand of vermouth* Martini , a Swiss automobile company* Martini , a French manufacturer of racing cars...

 – Ziemassvētki
Ziemassvetki
In ancient Latvia, Ziemassvētki was a festival, celebrated on 21 December, which was one of the two most important holidays, the other being Jāņi. Ziemassvētki celebrated the Winter Solstice...



Other minor historical holidays:
  1. Barbes Diena (also Barbanas Diena) was a festival held on December 1, celebrating the fertility of lambs and ewe
    Domestic sheep
    Sheep are quadrupedal, ruminant mammals typically kept as livestock. Like all ruminants, sheep are members of the order Artiodactyla, the even-toed ungulates. Although the name "sheep" applies to many species in the genus Ovis, in everyday usage it almost always refers to Ovis aries...

    s. Working with needles or other sharp objects was forbidden. Dumplings were eaten. Various rituals were performed to guarantee the health and fertility of the sheep.
  2. Bērtuļa Diena was a festival celebrated on August 24, commemorated the sowing of rye
    Rye
    Rye is a grass grown extensively as a grain and as a forage crop. It is a member of the wheat tribe and is closely related to barley and wheat. Rye grain is used for flour, rye bread, rye beer, some whiskeys, some vodkas, and animal fodder...

     and the first day of the mushroom
    Mushroom
    A mushroom is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus; hence the word "mushroom" is most often applied to those fungi that...

     season. It was unlucky to pour water inside barns. In addition, rain on this day would set off fires.
  3. Biezputras Diena ("Porridge day") was celebrated on February 4. It was held on the Sunday before Meteņi
    Meteni
    In ancient Latvia, Meteņi was a festival celebrated on February 23. The primary attraction was a feast which included all the parts of a pig, bread, barley and beer. The people also went sledding. The degree to which one celebrated Meteņi was believed to be proportional to the success of one's...

    . On this day, uneaten porridge is supposedly taken into the hills to feed the shepherds all summer. The porridge is actually replaced with water. A new shepherd is initiated by bringing the crock of "porridge" to the hills, then being doused in the water.
  4. Bindus Diena was a festival observed on March 18, the day after Kustoņu Diena ("Day of Critter
    Critter
    Critter may refer to:* A domesticated animal* An organism* A human* The mascot and call sign of ValuJet Airlines*Chinese Pangolin , one of the pets of the Raven FACs at their secret base in Long Tieng during the covert war in Laos...

    s"). It was later named Binduļa diena, in honor of St. Benedict
    Benedict of Nursia
    Saint Benedict of Nursia is a Christian saint, honored by the Roman Catholic Church as the patron saint of Europe and students.Benedict founded twelve communities for monks at Subiaco, about to the east of Rome, before moving to Monte Cassino in the mountains of southern Italy. There is no...

    . It was associated primarily with insects. Everybody must be awake before the sunrise. Water must not be poured inside barns. The backs of the cows, and the barns' ceilings, must be washed. Bears were believed to wake up on this day, but then fall back asleep. Bringing firewood in on this day will bring snakes with you. Rushes, twigs and straw will also attract snakes. Potatoes and cabbages can not be planted on this day. Alternative names include Binduļa diena, Benedikta diena, Bimbuļu diena.
  5. Dvēseļu diena ("Day of souls"), also called Visu Svēto Diena ("Day of all saints"). It was held on November 2. Families (supposedly, both living and dead members) gathered at their burial plots during the evening to commemorate the continuation of life.
  6. Jurģu Diena ("Day of Gregory") was a minor holiday, similar to Groundhog Day
    Groundhog Day
    Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter-like weather will soon end...

    . In this version, the fox
    Fox
    Fox is a common name for many species of omnivorous mammals belonging to the Canidae family. Foxes are small to medium-sized canids , characterized by possessing a long narrow snout, and a bushy tail .Members of about 37 species are referred to as foxes, of which only 12 species actually belong to...

     emerging from his den signals the start of spring, which will otherwise sleep for two more weeks. It was held on March 12.
  7. Jēkaba Diena ("Jacob's Day") was a festival held on July 24. It was the start of the harvesting season. The townsfolk held feasts from their freshly harvested grain and gave neighbors gifts of bread. Weddings were lucky if held on this day. A bright sun was also lucky; a cloudy day was a portent of snow; rain caused a low harvest yield. Unless it was a new moon, old seeds had to be sown. It was unlucky to walk through cabbage fields; if the cabbage heads hadn't appeared yet, they would not. Hay was not allowed to be brought into a barn, or thunder
    Thunder
    Thunder is the sound made by lightning. Depending on the nature of the lightning and distance of the listener, thunder can range from a sharp, loud crack to a long, low rumble . The sudden increase in pressure and temperature from lightning produces rapid expansion of the air surrounding and within...

     may come, according to a belief.
  8. Sv. Kazimira Diena
    Saint Casimir's Day
    Saint Casimir's Day is celebrated on March 4th, the anniversary of the death of Saint Casimir, the patron saint of Lithuania and Poland. The Kaziuko mugė, a folk arts and craft fair, is traditionally held on the Sunday nearest to March 4th....

    was a festival, held on March 24, which commemorated the return of the lark
    Lark
    Larks are passerine birds of the family Alaudidae. All species occur in the Old World, and in northern and eastern Australia; only one, the Shore Lark, has spread to North America, where it is called the Horned Lark...

    s.
  9. Kustoņu diena was held on March 17, followed the next day by Bindus diena. It was associated with insects. To ward against insects and reptiles, this day has to be free of plant planting activities. The flour mill was rotated nine times in the morning, when sparrows were driven from the homes, to ward against them for the summer. Spinning linen
    Linen
    Linen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum. Linen is labor-intensive to manufacture, but when it is made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather....

     was forbidden, because a belief is telling that this may attract wolves. Embroidering and sewing was forbidden, or else worms could infect crops and moles will dig holes, respectively. Alternative names include Ģertrūdes diena (Gertrude's Day).
  10. Labrenča diena was a festival celebrated on August 10.
  11. Pelnu Diena ("Ash day") was held on February 24. It was a celebration of the new year. Ashes were transported on this day from the homes of one generation, to the newly independent and married couple of the next, usually from the groom's father's fire to the new one.
  12. Septiņu brāļu diena ("Day of Seven Brothers") was a festival held on July 10.
  13. Septiņu gulētāju diena ("Day of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus") was held each year on July 27. Legend states that these Christian saints were Ephesians
    Ephesus
    Ephesus was an ancient Greek city, and later a major Roman city, on the west coast of Asia Minor, near present-day Selçuk, Izmir Province, Turkey. It was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era...

     from Asia Minor
    Asia Minor
    Asia Minor is a geographical location at the westernmost protrusion of Asia, also called Anatolia, and corresponds to the western two thirds of the Asian part of Turkey...

    , walled up by Roman Emperor
    Roman Emperor
    The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...

     Decius
    Decius
    Trajan Decius , was Roman Emperor from 249 to 251. In the last year of his reign, he co-ruled with his son Herennius Etruscus until they were both killed in the Battle of Abrittus.-Early life and rise to power:...

     in a cave for their faith in 250 CE. Found by masons in the year 479, the Ephesians had thought they were asleep for only one night, instead of 229 years that had actually elapsed. Once awake, Malchus
    Malchus
    In the Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Bible, Malchus is the servant of the Jewish High Priest, Caiaphas, who participated in the arrest of Jesus...

     made his way into town to buy bread for the others, rubbing the sleep of more than two centuries from his eyes. He was amazed to see Christian crosses placed on all the buildings. This was in stark contrast to the earlier times when they had been persecuted. (In 250 CE Roman gods were all that could be worshipped.) The bakers were amazed at the coins he offered, and thought that the young man had found treasure. Latvians believed that if it rains on this feast day, there will be seven weeks and seven days of rain.
  14. Teņa diena was a sacred holiday held on February 17. It was held in honor of pigs and was transferred to the feast day of St. Anthony
    Anthony the Great
    Anthony the Great or Antony the Great , , also known as Saint Anthony, Anthony the Abbot, Anthony of Egypt, Anthony of the Desert, Anthony the Anchorite, Abba Antonius , and Father of All Monks, was a Christian saint from Egypt, a prominent leader among the Desert Fathers...

     after Christianization
    Christianity
    Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...

    . A pig's head was placed atop a stone to protect the people from thunder and lightning. During the day, the townsfolk went to pig pens and sang songs glorifying the fertility of the pig. At lunch, pig's head and feet were eaten, and the remains were buried at the location, where the pigs would be herded the following year. Sewing or other needle-work was strictly prohibited, as was drinking at home. A foggy day was believed to bring floods; a sunny day indicated a good barley
    Barley
    Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods...

     crop; a dry day indicated drought
    Drought
    A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...

    , etc. Alternative names include Tuņņa diena, Tenīša diena, Cūkaušu diena, and Kunga diena ("Sir's day", "Master's day").
  15. Tipša diena was a festival held on April 15 to commemorate the beginning of the plough
    Plough
    The plough or plow is a tool used in farming for initial cultivation of soil in preparation for sowing seed or planting. It has been a basic instrument for most of recorded history, and represents one of the major advances in agriculture...

    ing of the fields.
  16. Urbanas diena was a festival held on May 25, the luckiest day to plant oat
    Oat
    The common oat is a species of cereal grain grown for its seed, which is known by the same name . While oats are suitable for human consumption as oatmeal and rolled oats, one of the most common uses is as livestock feed...

    s, barley
    Barley
    Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods...

    , flax
    Flax
    Flax is a member of the genus Linum in the family Linaceae. It is native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India and was probably first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent...

     and cucumber
    Cucumber
    The cucumber is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae, which includes squash, and in the same genus as the muskmelon. The plant is a creeping vine which bears cylindrical edible fruit when ripe. There are three main varieties of cucumber: "slicing", "pickling", and...

    s. Potato
    Potato
    The potato is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae family . The word potato may refer to the plant itself as well as the edible tuber. In the region of the Andes, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species...

    es, however, were not planted on this day. A sunny day signified a healthy crop, according to Latvian beliefs.
  17. Vēja diena ("Day of Wind") was a festival held on February 2. The day was regarded as a fiercely windy day, and various rituals were performed to ensure that the damage from the wind would not be too severe the following summer.
  18. Vīta diena or Saint Vitus' Dance Day was a medieval festival held on June 15 in ancient Latvia to commemorate the last day of planting. Rain on this day signified a bountiful crop, as well as the first appearances of bees and flies. "Saint Vitus dance" is another name for Chorea, an abnormal involuntary movement disorder.
  19. Zirgu Diena ("Day of the Horses"), on January 17.
  20. Zvaigznes diena ("Day of the Star") or Pagānu Svētdiena ("Pagan Sunday") was a festival held on January 6. Today it's still a tradition to leave the Christmas tree
    Christmas tree
    The Christmas tree is a decorated evergreen coniferous tree, real or artificial, and a tradition associated with the celebration of Christmas. The tradition of decorating an evergreen tree at Christmas started in Livonia and Germany in the 16th century...

     in a home from December 22 (the day of winter solstice
    Winter solstice
    Winter solstice may refer to:* Winter solstice, astronomical event* Winter Solstice , former band* Winter Solstice: North , seasonal songs* Winter Solstice , 2005 American film...

    ) til Zvaigznes day. Three pointed apple cakes were eaten. If a dog was heard barking, the direction was said to also be that person's future spouse. Weaving
    Weaving
    Weaving is a method of fabric production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. The other methods are knitting, lace making and felting. The longitudinal threads are called the warp and the lateral threads are the weft or filling...

     and wood-cutting was considered as bad luck in beliefs. A very sunny day (so sunny, to have heated up the back of all the horse
    Horse
    The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...

    s in the household) signified a year without war. After Christianization
    Christianization
    The historical phenomenon of Christianization is the conversion of individuals to Christianity or the conversion of entire peoples at once...

    , Zvaigznes Diena became Trīs kungu diena ("Day of Three Sir's", "Day of the Three Masters"). The three sir's refer to Caspar
    Biblical Magi
    The Magi Greek: μάγοι, magoi), also referred to as the Wise Men, Kings, Astrologers, or Kings from the East, were a group of distinguished foreigners who were said to have visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh...

    , Melchior
    Melchior
    Melchior is the name given in later legend to one of the Magi appearing in the Gospel of Matthew. It may also refer to:-First name:* Melchior Anderegg , Swiss mountain guide.* Melchior Berri , Swiss architect.* Melchior Broederlam Melchior is the name given in later legend to one of the Magi...

    u and Belceru. The initials "KMB" were carved on doors so that they would bless the house. Gypsies painted six-cornered stars on their foreheads. A clear night without clouds signified a good season in beliefs.

Gods and deities

  1. Auseklis
    Auseklis
    Auseklis was a Latvian god, and the personification of the celestial body Venus...

    – (from root aust- (dawn-)) also called Lielais Auseklis ("Great Auseklis"). He was associated with Venus
    Venus
    Venus is the second planet from the Sun, orbiting it every 224.7 Earth days. The planet is named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. After the Moon, it is the brightest natural object in the night sky, reaching an apparent magnitude of −4.6, bright enough to cast shadows...

    , and with both Mēness and Saule, the Moon and the Sun.
  2. Ceroklis – a fertility god, associated with agriculture
    Agriculture
    Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...

     and farm
    Farm
    A farm is an area of land, or, for aquaculture, lake, river or sea, including various structures, devoted primarily to the practice of producing and managing food , fibres and, increasingly, fuel. It is the basic production facility in food production. Farms may be owned and operated by a single...

    ers, and cognate with Latin Ceres. The Jesuit
    Society of Jesus
    The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...

     Joannis Stribingius discussed Cerklicing when he went to Eastern Latvia in 1606. The first bite of any food, and the first drop of any drink, was given to this deity. Alternative names include Dewing Cereklicing, Cerekling, Cercklicing, Greklicing, Cerekticing, Cerklicing, Cerroklis.
  3. Dēkla – (from dēt (to plant, lay (eggs))) was one of a trinity of fate goddesses that included her sisters Kārta
    Karta
    Karta can mean:Karta is the senior most and oldest person in Hindu Undivided Family who takes decisions regarding social and Economical aspects of Family. In the HUF Karta is the oldest person and all other males are his blood relatives. He has complete control over the family's welfare, wealth and...

     and Laima
    Laima
    Laima was the personification of fate and luck in the Latvian and Lithuanian mythologies. She was associated with childbirth, marriage, and death; she was also the patron of pregnant women...

    . However, all three may have been aspects of Laima and in many ways Dekla doubles with Laima. She was associated with children and infants and was often depicted with them at her breast
    Breast
    The breast is the upper ventral region of the torso of a primate, in left and right sides, which in a female contains the mammary gland that secretes milk used to feed infants.Both men and women develop breasts from the same embryological tissues...

    . In original Latvian mythology, as opposed to dievtuŗība
    Dievturiba
    Dievturība is a Neopagan religious movement, which claims to be a modern revival of the folk religion of the Latvians before Christianization in the 13th century. Adherents call themselves Dievtuŗi , literally "Dievs keepers", "people who live in harmony with Dievs".The Dievtuŗi movement was...

    , Dēkla was the goddess of fortune and destiny and was worshiped primarily in Western Latvia (as Courland
    Courland
    Courland is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. The regions of Semigallia and Selonia are sometimes considered as part of Courland.- Geography and climate :...

    ).
  4. Ūsiņš – was the god of horses, bees and light, mentioned by Jesuit
    Society of Jesus
    The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...

     Joannis Stribingius in 1606. He took care of horses during the summer, then transferred the power to Mārtiņš
    Martins
    -People:* Anderson Martins, Brazilian footballer* André Renato Soares Martins, Portuguese footballer*Corentin Martins, French footballer* Dênio Martins, Brazilian footballer*Gaspar Martins, Angolan ambassador*João Carlos Martins, Brazilian pianist...

     at the festival of Mārtiņi
    Martini
    Martini may refer to:* Martini , a popular cocktail* Martini , a brand of vermouth* Martini , a Swiss automobile company* Martini , a French manufacturer of racing cars...

    . He was especially associated with the festival Jurģi
    Jurgi
    In ancient Latvia, Jurģi was a festival held on April 23. It was the beginning of summer, and the first day of outdoor farmwork and shepherding. It was sacred to the god Usins.Livestock were allowed to graze outside after this day...

    . Alternative names include Deving Isching, Usins, Dewing Uschinge.
  5. Dievs – (God) was the supreme god. The same word refers to the Christian deity in modern Latvian. In ancient Latvian mythology, Dievs was not just the father of the gods, he was the essence of them all. Every other deity was a different aspect or manifestation of Dievs; this is most true with Māra and Laima
    Laima
    Laima was the personification of fate and luck in the Latvian and Lithuanian mythologies. She was associated with childbirth, marriage, and death; she was also the patron of pregnant women...

    . The name Dievs was also interpreted as Sky. Though it is told in ancient beliefs, that he courted Saule, no actual wife is known. His sons are known as Dieva dēli. He is historically associated with the father gods of Indo-European religions as Tyr, Zeus
    Zeus
    In the ancient Greek religion, Zeus was the "Father of Gods and men" who ruled the Olympians of Mount Olympus as a father ruled the family. He was the god of sky and thunder in Greek mythology. His Roman counterpart is Jupiter and his Etruscan counterpart is Tinia.Zeus was the child of Cronus...

    , Jupiter and Dyaus Pita
    Dyaus Pita
    In the Vedic pantheon ' or ' or Dyaus Pitar is the Sky Father, divine consort of the Prithvi and father of Agni, Indra , and Ushas, the daughter representing dawn. In archaic Vedic lore, Dyauṣ Pitṛ and Prithivi Matṛ were one, single composite dvandva entity, named as the Dyavaprthivi...

    .
  6. Jānis – (or John) was a deity associated with Jāņi
    Jani
    Jāņi is a Latvian festival held in the night from 23 June to 24 June to celebrate the summer solstice , the shortest night and longest day of the year. The day of Līgo and the day of Jāņi are public holidays, and people usually spend them in the countryside...

    , the Midsummer's Night
    Midsummer
    Midsummer may simply refer to the period of time centered upon the summer solstice, but more often refers to specific European celebrations that accompany the actual solstice, or that take place on a day between June 21 and June 24, and the preceding evening. The exact dates vary between different...

     festival. After Christianization
    Christianization
    The historical phenomenon of Christianization is the conversion of individuals to Christianity or the conversion of entire peoples at once...

    , he was associated with John the Baptist
    John the Baptist
    John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...

    , through a process of syncretism
    Syncretism
    Syncretism is the combining of different beliefs, often while melding practices of various schools of thought. The term means "combining", but see below for the origin of the word...

    . Once a year, Jānis came to bring luck and fertility to the people of Latvia. In modern Latvia, it is very popular male given name
    Given name
    A given name, in Western contexts often referred to as a first name, is a personal name that specifies and differentiates between members of a group of individuals, especially in a family, all of whose members usually share the same family name...

    .
  7. Jumis – (from root jum- roof-) was a god of sky and fertility. He is associated with "double-plants", such as two crop stalks or trees which have grown together and share a trunk or stem. During harvesting, some stalks of the crops are bent to the ground and secured in that location with stones. During his holiday, Miķeļi
    Mikeli
    In ancient Latvia, Miķeļi was a festival held on September 22–September 24, during the dzelzs nedēļa meaning "the week of iron." The holiday was held sacred and associated with the gods Miķelis and Jumis....

    , a ritual called the "Catching of Jumis" is performed, it involves a procession that carries some grains (symbol of "captured" Jumis) home, thereby ensuring the following year's harvest will be at least as successful. He is depicted as a short man with clothes that resemble ears of wheat
    Wheat
    Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...

    , hops
    Hops
    Hops are the female flower clusters , of a hop species, Humulus lupulus. They are used primarily as a flavoring and stability agent in beer, to which they impart a bitter, tangy flavor, though hops are also used for various purposes in other beverages and herbal medicine...

     and barley
    Barley
    Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods...

    .
  8. Kārta (layer) – was one of a trinity of fate goddesses that included her sisters Dēkla and Laima
    Laima
    Laima was the personification of fate and luck in the Latvian and Lithuanian mythologies. She was associated with childbirth, marriage, and death; she was also the patron of pregnant women...

    . All three may have been aspects of Laima. Alternative names include Kārtas māte.
  9. Laima
    Laima
    Laima was the personification of fate and luck in the Latvian and Lithuanian mythologies. She was associated with childbirth, marriage, and death; she was also the patron of pregnant women...

    – (laim- (luck-)) was a goddess in both Latvian and Lithuanian mythology
    Lithuanian mythology
    Lithuanian mythology is an example of Baltic mythology, developed by Lithuanians throughout the centuries.-History of scholarship:Surviving information about Baltic paganism in general is very sketchy and incomplete. As with most ancient Indo-European cultures Lithuanian mythology is an example of...

    . She is the personification of fate
    Destiny
    Destiny or fate refers to a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual...

     and of luck, both good and bad. She was associated with childbirth, marriage, death, proliferation, and domesticity. She was also the patron of pregnant women. Some sources proclaim three Laima's, which means that either this goddess had three aspects or this could have been general name for three deities. Alternative names include Laime, Laimė (Lithuanian), Laimas māte, Laimes māte ("Mother of Luck").
  10. Lauma
    Lauma
    Latvian: Lauma, Lithuanian: Laumė is a woodland fae, and guardian spirit of orphans in Eastern Baltic mythology. Originally a sky spirit, her compassion for human suffering brought her to earth to share our fate.-In Latvian mythology:...

    – (Fairy) is a beautiful naked maiden, that cannot have children
    Infertility
    Infertility primarily refers to the biological inability of a person to contribute to conception. Infertility may also refer to the state of a woman who is unable to carry a pregnancy to full term...

    . So she often steals other children and sours cows' milk. They are very strong and cannot be killed by man in a fight, however they can be killed by touching their milk pail.
  11. Māra – (Mary) is the highest-ranking goddess, a feminine Dievs. She may be thought as alternate side of Dievs (like in Yin Yang). Other Latvian goddesses, sometimes all of them, are considered her alternate aspects.
  12. Mārtiņš – was a god who protected the Latvian people and their livestock such as horses, during the winter months, from thieves, cold and starvation. He took over the function of protector of the horses from Ūsiņa diena on November 10, the festival of Mārtiņi
    Martini
    Martini may refer to:* Martini , a popular cocktail* Martini , a brand of vermouth* Martini , a Swiss automobile company* Martini , a French manufacturer of racing cars...

    .
  13. Mēness – (Moon) was the god of the moon and war. According to beliefs and national songs, he was one of the suitors of Saules meitas ("The Daughters of Sun"). Mēness counted the stars and determined that Auseklis
    Auseklis
    Auseklis was a Latvian god, and the personification of the celestial body Venus...

     was missing, and stole Auseklis' bride. He was usually a rival of Saule, the Sun, his wife who sheared him in pieces after discovering his adultery. Alternative names include Mėnulis/Mėnuo in Lithuanian mythology
    Lithuanian mythology
    Lithuanian mythology is an example of Baltic mythology, developed by Lithuanians throughout the centuries.-History of scholarship:Surviving information about Baltic paganism in general is very sketchy and incomplete. As with most ancient Indo-European cultures Lithuanian mythology is an example of...

    .
  14. Metenis – was a mysterious deity, connected with the festival Meteņi
    Meteni
    In ancient Latvia, Meteņi was a festival celebrated on February 23. The primary attraction was a feast which included all the parts of a pig, bread, barley and beer. The people also went sledding. The degree to which one celebrated Meteņi was believed to be proportional to the success of one's...

    , into which he rode during the celebrations on his sleigh. He has five sons and five daughters.
  15. Meža vīrs – was the god of the forests, associated with wolves. Alternative names include Meža Tēvs, Meža Dievs.
  16. Miķelis – was one of the Sons of Dievs, the supreme god. He was a god of astronomy
    Astronomy
    Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...

    , prophecy
    Prophecy
    Prophecy is a process in which one or more messages that have been communicated to a prophet are then communicated to others. Such messages typically involve divine inspiration, interpretation, or revelation of conditioned events to come as well as testimonies or repeated revelations that the...

     and abundance
    Abundance
    Abundance may refer to:In science and technology:* Abundance , the opposite of scarcities* Abundance , growing food with plentiful resources that will not run out -- sunshine, CO2, and waste or brine water....

    .
  17. Pērkons – (Thunder) was the common Baltic and Slavic
    Slavic mythology
    Slavic mythology is the mythological aspect of the polytheistic religion that was practised by the Slavs before Christianisation.The religion possesses many common traits with other religions descended from the Proto-Indo-European religion....

     god of thunder
    God of Thunder
    God of Thunder is a 2D platform/top-down freeware puzzle game created by Ron Davis and published by Software Creations in 1993. It was previously a shareware product but was released as freeware in 2002 or earlier. The game chronicles the quest of Thor, son of Odin and god of thunder as he tries...

    , one of the most important deities in the Indo-European
    Indo-European
    Indo-European may refer to:* Indo-European languages** Aryan race, a 19th century and early 20th century term for those peoples who are the native speakers of Indo-European languages...

     pantheon. In Baltic, Slavic and Finnish mythology, he is documented as the god of thunder, rain, mountains, oak trees, fire and the sky. In India he is known as Indra
    Indra
    ' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...

    , the chief of the Deva
    Deva (Hinduism)
    ' is the Sanskrit word for god or deity, its related feminine term is devi. In modern Hinduism, it can be loosely interpreted as any benevolent supernatural beings. The devs in Hinduism, also called Suras, are often juxtaposed to the Asuras, their half brothers. Devs are also the maintainers of...

    s.
  18. Ragana – (witch) was a prophetess and sorceress, and a goddess of magic. After Christianization
    Christianity
    Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...

    , she was turned into a minor witch bringing bad luck to humans and animals. She is also a Lithuanian goddess.
  19. Saule – (the sun) was the goddess of the sun and fertility, patron goddess of the unlucky, including orphans. She was the mother of Saules meitas and lived on top of a mountain and flew across the sky on her chariot. At night, she sailed across the sea. She is a beloved Baltic Sun Goddess sometimes recognised as a red apple, setting in the west. Saule is reborn as her daughter, the morning star at the Winter Solstice. Saulė is also a Lithuanian goddess.
  20. Zalktis – (Grass Snake
    Grass Snake
    The grass snake , sometimes called the ringed snake or water snake is a European non-venomous snake. It is often found near water and feeds almost exclusively on amphibians.-Etymology:...

    ) was a god of well-being and fertility, about whom little is known. He was associated with snakes.

Mātes

Many female deities were known by the title mātes, which translates as 'mothers'.
  1. Ceļa māte – (Mother of the Road) protected travelers on the road.
  2. Dārza māte – (Mother of the Garden) was governing gardens. She is described in Paul Einhorn
    Paul Einhorn
    Paul Einhorn was a famous historian of the Latvians and a Lutheran pastor.He was a pastor from 1621 and superintendent of Courland from 1636. He is described as an ardent Lutheran, and he spent much effort fighting against superstition...

    's Historia Lettica
    Historia Lettica
    Historia Lettica - one of the oldest historical books about Latvia, Latvian mythology and Latvian language. Was written by Lutheran priest Paul Einhorn in 1649.Historia Lettica was published in Königsberg in 1649 in German language....

    , 1649, as one of the 'mothers' presiding over the practical aspects of everyday life.
  3. Gaušu mate – (Mother of the Sluggish) was a goddess representing laziness.
  4. Jūras māte – (Mother of the Sea) was the goddess of the sea. She was the patron of fishermen, sailors and healers (particularly invoked to heal bleeding). She protected ships, when sailors worshiped her, and sunk those who displeased her.
  5. Kapu māte – (Mother of Graves) presided over cemeteries
    Cemetery
    A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...

     and graves.
  6. Krūmu māte – (Mother of Bushes) presided over bushes, shrub
    Shrub
    A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...

    s and saplings.
  7. Lapu māte – (Mother of Leaves) a goddess who presided over the changing colors of the leaves in autumn.
  8. Lauku māte – (Mother of Fields) a goddess of fields. Farmers sacrificed to her in order to ensure a bountiful harvest.
  9. Lazdu māte – (Mother of Hazel-Trees) a goddess of hazel
    Hazel
    The hazels are a genus of deciduous trees and large shrubs native to the temperate northern hemisphere. The genus is usually placed in the birch family Betulaceae, though some botanists split the hazels into a separate family Corylaceae.They have simple, rounded leaves with double-serrate margins...

     trees.
  10. Lietus māte – (Mother of Rain) a goddess of rain.
  11. Linu māte – (Mother of Flax) a goddess of flax
    Flax
    Flax is a member of the genus Linum in the family Linaceae. It is native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India and was probably first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent...

    .
  12. Lopu māte – (Mother of Livestock) presided over cattle and other livestock
    Livestock
    Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...

    . She may have been equivalent to Māra.
  13. Meža māte – (Mother of the Forests) a patron goddess of forests, the animals within it and hunters and woodcutters.
  14. Miglas māte – (Mother of Fog) held dominion over fog. She was especially venerated by sailors.
  15. Pirts māte – (Mother of the Bathhouse) a ruler of bathhouse
    Public bathing
    Public baths originated from a communal need for cleanliness. The term public may confuse some people, as some types of public baths are restricted depending on membership, gender, religious affiliation, or other reasons. As societies have changed, public baths have been replaced as private bathing...

    s, which were the scene of many important rituals and ceremonies marking births, deaths, marriages and other occasions.
  16. Rijas māte – (Mother of the Threshing house) oversaw the shelling of grain
    Cereal
    Cereals are grasses cultivated for the edible components of their grain , composed of the endosperm, germ, and bran...

     and other threshing-related activities.
  17. Sēņu māte – (Mother of Mushroom
    Mushroom
    A mushroom is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus; hence the word "mushroom" is most often applied to those fungi that...

    s
    ) presided over mushrooms and mushroom gathering.
  18. Smilšu māte – (Mother of Sands) held dominion over death.
  19. Sniega māte – (Mother of Snow) held dominion over snow.
  20. Tirgus māte – (Mother of the Market) held dominion over a marketplace
    Marketplace
    A marketplace is the space, actual, virtual or metaphorical, in which a market operates. The term is also used in a trademark law context to denote the actual consumer environment, ie. the 'real world' in which products and services are provided and consumed.-Marketplaces and street markets:A...

     and commerce.
  21. Ūdens māte – (Mother of Water) presided over small bodies of water such as well
    Water well
    A water well is an excavation or structure created in the ground by digging, driving, boring or drilling to access groundwater in underground aquifers. The well water is drawn by an electric submersible pump, a trash pump, a vertical turbine pump, a handpump or a mechanical pump...

    s and pond
    Pond
    A pond is a body of standing water, either natural or man-made, that is usually smaller than a lake. A wide variety of man-made bodies of water are classified as ponds, including water gardens, water features and koi ponds; all designed for aesthetic ornamentation as landscape or architectural...

    s.
  22. Upes māte – (Mother of Rivers) presided over rivers.
  23. Vēja māte – (Mother of Wind) a goddess of the wind, forests and birds, as well as a patron of sailors.
  24. Veļu māte – (Mother of Veļi) a goddess of the dead and Queen of Viņsaule, the world of the dead. She is clothed in a white, wool
    Wool
    Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....

     cape. Veļu māte is also called Kapu māte ("Graveyard mother"), and is said to receive the dead at cemeteries
    Cemetery
    A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...

    . She is also identified with the fertility goddess Zemes māte ("Mother of the Soil"). An expression in Latvian stated that "When a rainbow appears in the sky, Veļu Māte is dancing amongst the graves".
  25. Zemes māte – (Mother of the Soil) a fertility goddess, who was also identified with Veļu mate, the goddess of the dead.
  26. Ziedu māte – (Mother of Flowers) presided over blossoms and flowers.
  27. Kuka māte – (Mother of Kuks (ancient name for wine)) presided over drinking and smoking.

Spirits and demons

  1. Mājas gari – was the name given to protective household spirits. They brought prosperity and good luck to the family living in the household, if they were properly placated with gifts. Alternative names include Mājas kungs.
  2. Pūķis (Dragon)– was a household spirit. Pūķis flew, stealing items for its master. They can be bought, bred or stolen. Alternative names include Pukys, Puhkis. Today word "Pūķis" means dragon or kite (toy).
  3. Vadātājs – (literally Leader, Driver) was a type of demon
    Demon
    call - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...

     responsible for getting people lost. He can be either visible or invisible. If the vadātājs is in its invisible form, the victim realises that he or she is walking in circles. In visible form, the vadātājs appears as friendly being such as a child or dog and leads victim straight toward death. If a victim stopped following vadātājs they would realise that they had stopped one step from deep water.
  4. Veļi – were dead souls, associated with Velns and clouds. The underworld was called Viņsaule. The Veļi visited their old homes during autumn.
  5. Velns – (Devil) was a demon
    Demon
    call - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...

    . He was married to Ragana. In many stories, the evil Velns was stupid and easily outwitted by shepherds and small boys. Alternative names include Jods.
  6. Vilkacis – (literally "Wolf-eye") was a type of monster, similar to a werewolf
    Werewolf
    A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...

    , that was originally a person. In Latvian and Lithuanian mythology, the vilkacis was a good natured creature, who wanted to participate in the folk songs mentioned animal digging of Daugava river. But he failed in every task and upset Dievs. He is described as a clumsy creature, who can be easily fooled by a child or farmer. Occasionally, a vilkacis brought treasure or was otherwise beneficial. Alternative names include Vilkatas, Vilkatis.

Other terms and concepts

  1. Austras Koks – (Tree of the East or Tree of the Dawn) was a tree that grew from the start of Saules' (the Sun's) daily journey across the sky. It is usually considered to be an oak
    Oak
    An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...

    . Austras Koks had silver
    Silver
    Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...

     leaves, copper
    Copper
    Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...

     roots and gold
    Gold
    Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...

     branches and is located on the shores of the Daugava River (Courland
    Courland
    Courland is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. The regions of Semigallia and Selonia are sometimes considered as part of Courland.- Geography and climate :...

    ), Vidzeme
    Vidzeme
    Vidzeme is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. Literally meaning "the Middle Land" it is situated in north-central Latvia north of the Daugava River...

     or Latgale
    Latgale
    Latgale is one of the four historical and cultural regions of Latvia recognised in the Constitution of the Latvian Republic. It is the easternmost region north of the Daugava River...

    .
  2. Debeskalns – (Sky mountain) was the mountain upon which the various gods and goddesses lived. Notwithstanding their homes on Debeskalns, it was believed that deities often walked among mortals posing as ordinary people. Debeskalns has many analogues among European myths, including Mount Olympus
    Mount Olympus
    Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece, located on the border between Thessaly and Macedonia, about 100 kilometres away from Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city. Mount Olympus has 52 peaks. The highest peak Mytikas, meaning "nose", rises to 2,917 metres...

     in Greek mythology
    Greek mythology
    Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...

     and Asgard
    Asgard
    In Norse religion, Asgard is one of the Nine Worlds and is the country or capital city of the Norse Gods surrounded by an incomplete wall attributed to a Hrimthurs riding the stallion Svadilfari, according to Gylfaginning. Valhalla is located within Asgard...

     in Norse mythology
    Norse mythology
    Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...

    .
  3. Dieviņš – (Minor god) was an epithet
    Epithet
    An epithet or byname is a descriptive term accompanying or occurring in place of a name and having entered common usage. It has various shades of meaning when applied to seemingly real or fictitious people, divinities, objects, and binomial nomenclature. It is also a descriptive title...

     applied to several male deities, including Ceroklis (Dewing Cereklicing) and Ūsiņš (Dewing Uschinge)
  4. Dieva dēli – were the sons of Dievs and suitors of Saules meitas. Their number varied in different accounts. Alternative names include Ašvieniai
    Ašvieniai
    Ašvieniai are divine twins in the Lithuanian mythology identical to Latvian Dieva deli and direct counterparts of Vedic Ashvins. The both names derive from the same Proto-Indo-European root for the horse - *ek'w-. Old Lithuanian ašva and Sanskrit ashva mean "horse". Ašvieniai are represented as...

     in Lithuanian mythology
    Lithuanian mythology
    Lithuanian mythology is an example of Baltic mythology, developed by Lithuanians throughout the centuries.-History of scholarship:Surviving information about Baltic paganism in general is very sketchy and incomplete. As with most ancient Indo-European cultures Lithuanian mythology is an example of...

    .
  5. Dieviņi – refers to the minor gods, collectively. They were primarily patrons of households and other specific functions. They were more frequently honored by worshippers than the deities of more power and importance, who were only invoked for emergencies.
  6. Dievturība
    Dievturiba
    Dievturība is a Neopagan religious movement, which claims to be a modern revival of the folk religion of the Latvians before Christianization in the 13th century. Adherents call themselves Dievtuŗi , literally "Dievs keepers", "people who live in harmony with Dievs".The Dievtuŗi movement was...

    – is a modern revival of the traditional religion.
  7. Lāčplēsis
    Lacplesis
    Lāčplēsis is an epic poem by Andrejs Pumpurs, a Latvian poet, who wrote it between 1872-1887 based on local legends. Lāčplēsis is regarded as the Latvian national epic.-Synopsis:...

    is an epic poem
    Epic poetry
    An epic is a lengthy narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation. Oral poetry may qualify as an epic, and Albert Lord and Milman Parry have argued that classical epics were fundamentally an oral poetic form...

     by Andrejs Pumpurs
    Andrejs Pumpurs
    Andrejs Pumpurs was a poet who penned the Latvian epic Lāčplēsis and a prominent figure in the Young Latvia movement.Growing up on both banks of the Daugava river, he was one of three children from the civil...

    , a Latvian poet, who wrote it between 1872-1887 based on local legends. Lāčplēsis is regarded as the Latvian national epic
    National epic
    A national epic is an epic poem or a literary work of epic scope which seeks or is believed to capture and express the essence or spirit of a particular nation; not necessarily a nation-state, but at least an ethnic or linguistic group with aspirations to independence or autonomy...

    .
  8. Māte
    Mahte
    In Latvian mythology, Māte , sometimes written in English as Mahte, was an epithet applied to some sixty-seventy goddesses. They were clearly distinct goddesses in most or all cases, so the term definitely referred to the mother-goddess of specific phenomena.Alternative: Mate#Bangu mate#Cela...

    – (Mother) was an epithet applied to some sixty-seventy goddesses. They were clearly distinct goddesses in most or all cases, so the term definitely referred to the mother-goddess of specific phenomena. Alternative spellings include mahte, maate, mate.
  9. Saules meitas – were the daughters of Saule, the Sun. They were known primarily from their interaction with suitors, including the Dieva dēli.
  10. Viņsaule – (Beyond the Sun) was the land of the dead, ruled by Veļu mate. The shades of people were called veļi. Alternative names include Aizsaule.

External links

Most sites which can be considered an authoritative source are in Latvian.
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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