Auseklis
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In Latvian mythology, Auseklis (derived from root aus- - "dawn") was a Latvian god, and the personification of Venus. He is third most popular deity in Latvian mythology after Saule and Mēness, but is only mentioned in dainas.
Auseklis as a god
Crosses of Lietuvēns: Auseklis (above) and the pentagram (below) had to be drawn without lifting one's hand.
Auseklis is closely associated with Mēness ("moon"). They both are Dieva dēli ("sons of God"), and are thus confused with each other and with other male deities. Auseklis is the groom of Saules meita ("daughter of the sun", Lithuanian Aušrinė). His few dainas probably suggest that Auseklis is too young to ride a horse, so respectively a horse for him is bought. However, it is said that "a son doesn't need it yet". It isn't clear if the word "son" refers Auseklis himself, his son, or the horse.
Auseklis as sign
An eight-pointed star, which became the symbol of the third Latvian National Awakening, is named Auseklis. It is also known as a cross of Lietuvēns (an evil spirit). The other symbol is the pentagram, which symbolizes Venus in other cultures. Thus, both signs could have been symbols of Auseklis, originally used for protection against evil spirits. Later, the pentagram became a symbol of evil spirits. Both signs had to be drawn without lifting the hand. This task can be quite tricky. The picture to the right shows how to do it step-by-step.Trivia
In the 19th century, the poet Mikus Krogzemis took Auseklis as his pseudonym.References
- Latvijas Enciklopēdija, Rīga 2002, ISDN 9984-9482-0-X (1-8)
- [Dainuskapis.lv]
See also
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