#latvian mythology

[mythologyolympics]

Mythology Olympics tournament round 1

Propaganda!

Lietuvēns or lietonis is a mythological creature in Latvian folklore. According to Latvian folk epics and omens, lietuvēns is the soul of a murdered (strangled, drowned or hanged) person cursed to live in this world as long as it has been meant to live. By some beliefs, it is the soul of an unbaptized child. It attacks both people and domestic animals. Sleep paralysis is thought to be torture or strangling by a lietuvēns. When under attack, one must move the toe of the left foot to get rid of the attacker. It is also said that lietuvēns is able to penetrate into houses, even through keyholes and, aside from nightmares, can strangle the victim.

Propaganda from the submitter:

Apparently ancient latvians had sleep paralysis too and this is the guy that causes it. Folk wisdom says to wiggle your toe to make him go away, but why would you want to? Hes just a little guy! Wikipedia describes him looking as "a labored wretched child" - just like me fr. Vote lietuvēns guys

Aulë was a Vala and one of the Aratar, also known as the Smith and Smith of the Valar, concerned with rock, metal, nature of substances and works of craft. Aulë governed the substances of the Ambar and he delighted in all works and crafts all of which he was master, from small works of skin to the forging of all lands and mountains and basins of the sea. He made the rocks, the gems and all minerals. He enjoyed devising and making new things, and being praised. In these thoughts and powers he was like Melkor, as Ilúvatar gave him scarce less skill and knowledge. Aulë had always been faithful to Eru and submitted all his creations to His will. He was never jealous of others' creations, but sought and gave counsel. He enjoyed the things he has created and in act of making itself and passed ever to some new work, without hoarding or possessing. For this, there was much strife between him and Melkor who envied him; Melkor always marred his work and Aulë always sought to repair them.

[madam-of-lithuania]

Here's my another art work from my art school 🏫 💖 ✨️ 💓 💛 💕

I gonna call this painting Saulė The Goddess of the Sun

Saulė is The Goddess of the sun from my Baltic Lithuanian culture mythology and also Latvian mythology too

[vikaflora-margarita]

Dēkla. The goddess of fate, Laima.

Laima is arguably the most prominent and well-known latvian pagan deity. She decides a person's fate from the moment they are born. In some folk songs she is said to cry over her duty, a trait no other god of fate has been recorded to share with her.

Dēkla is an another name Laima went by in the region of Courland. At first, it was thought that she was one of the three sisters of fate (a common motif in many indoeuropian religions), but no substantial evidence was found in favour of this theory in more recent years.

I decided to call her Dēkla, because her clothes were inspired by Curonian folk costume.

If you want to learn more about Laima and/or Dēkla, I warmly recommend reading this latvian mythology/folklore archive (in latvian)

[theaskew]

Andrejs Bovtovičs (Latvian b. 1959), Laima and Mara, acrylic on canvas.

[chrysocomae]

The Daughters of Saule (1912)

[macabreeeee]

Jumis

[dpedeciswriter]

The Latvian God of Spring

A father deity Illustration by Jēkabs Bīne  (1895 – 1955) To me he looks a bit like Atilla the Hun. The back to back E is one of Ūsiņš symbols. He and his horses are the bingers of the sun .You would expect that the day honoring the god of spring would be the equinox on March 20th. However, Ūsiņa diena (Ūsiņš day) is celebrated on April 23. I don’t know the reason for this discrepancy. So, I’m…

[marejadilla]

Jana Brike, for her Solo exhibition "Children of the Sun" opening on November 23 at @beinartgallery, Australia.   Jana Brike was born in year 1980 in Riga, Latvia.

[grungeincluded]

An interview/podcast with the front man & guitarist of Skyforger - Pēteris Kvetkovskis. The folk, pagan and black metal band originates from Northern Europe, specifically Latvia where they have been playing since 1995. In these two-part podcast episodes you can learn more about the importance of pagan music for Skyforger; their influence in music and the nature of the environment the band originates from.

''Politicians have shown interest in our music. We have been asked to participate in concerts during the voting period of the political parties, when they tried to gain votes. But we have not participated in such things. That's not our thing. We don't want to be used as clowns or be used as idiots, for them to get some kind of benefit from our music. The Latvian Government has supported us. ''

''Our motto would be to do what you like. Live as you want, as long as it you don’t disturb other people. I have often wondered to myself and thought that young people never listen to the old ones. The youth lives in their own world. If I can give any advice, for those who want to play- Find your own path. Try as best as possible to not copy your idols or popular music which is listened to by thousands of people. I know that it is pleasant, to play like your idols, because you feel like your equal to them. But another Metallica is not needed, make your own music.'' - Pēteris Kvetkovskis.

© BALTIC PAGROCK

[twoheadedoddity]

ah, my greatest enemy. my own autism

[uupiic]

Jumis ir, kad ātri pagatavojamos makaronos atrodi nevis vienu, bet divas garšvielu paciņas.

[jupiter-reimagined]

While I was going to eat lunch, Devil!Stone told me that his name is Lucifer II. Which makes sense since he's a demon, so he wouldn't have a regular name like Vikram. I do find it a little funny that Lucifer named Devil!Stone after himself when Bharat traded baby Devil!Stone for refuge in Hell, but I'm not entirely surprised.

He and Grim Reaper!Stone can bond over having the same name as their father/father figure.

lucifer 2... its kinda cute ngl. but also. seriously??? not even diablo?? or whatever other names for the devil there are in other languages???

[mythsyourteacherhated]

For Folklore Sunday, we’re going back to Latvia for the continuing saga of Lacplesis the Bearslayer! What lurks beneath the catacombs of an ancient castle? Even older libraries and monsters of course! Then in Gods and Monsters, a white deer will turn the tables.

[unhonestlymirror]

Out of context Lāčplēsis

[theaskew]

Janis Rozentāls (Latvian 1866-1916), Nāve (Death), 1897. Oil on canvas, H 69 cm (27.1 in) x W 98 cm (38.5 in). (Source: Latvijas Nacionālais mākslas muzejs, Riga, Latvija)

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

To celebrate the winter solstice, Latvians disguise as animals, gypsies, or devils, and go house to house singing & dancing. This brings luck & chases away evil spirits.

(Photo via Spekozols)

[Strange Company]

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“Our personal mythologies intermingle with the myths of the land. We become part of a place and its history. And even when we do not originate from a place, dwelling with intention helps us be of a place. We become local. In other words, to dwell with intention is an act of homecoming.” ― Solstice, The Earth Spirit Hearth and Home