Auseklis
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Auseklis (derived from root aus - "dawn" or "orient" and Latvian: sēkla - "seed",) was a Latvian god, and the personification of the celestial body Venus. He is third most popular deity in Latvian mythology after Saulė and Mēness, but is only mentioned in dainas and probably was invented by Krišjānis Barons.
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). Few dainas suggest that Auseklis probably 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.
An eight-pointed star (a regular octagram), which became the symbol of the third Latvian National Awakening, is named Auseklis.[citation needed] It is also known as a cross of Lietuvēns (an evil spirit).[citation needed]
[edit] References
- Latvijas Enciklopēdija, Rīga 2002, ISDN 9984-9482-0-X (1-8)
