Austėja (given name)
| Gender | Female |
|---|---|
| Language(s) | Lithuanian |
| Origin | |
| Meaning | Lithuanian bee goddess |
Austėja is a feminine Lithuanian given name derived from the name of an ancient Lithuanian bee goddess. The name was really popular in 2005.[1]
Austėja name comes from a Lithuanian word “austi” meaning “to weave”. Honeycomb is like a woven fabric, the bees make noises like weaving and the bees are as hardworking as the weavers.
Beekeeping has strong traditions around the world. Lithuanians even call most dear friends “bičiulis“, which means “from bees” (bičių). If the Queen Bee leaves the hive and establishes a new one somewhere else, such families were bound together in a special relationship called “bičiulystė” (Eng. friendship).
We pray for Austėja and Žemyna (goddess of harvest and earth) when bees start to swarm. Both goddesses are responsible for regenerations, fertility, and growth. Another Austėja’s companion is her husband Bubilas (or Babilas). He is arguably a lesser god from the couple and is opposite to Austėja with destruction powers. Bubilas is also associated with mead and beer brewing. While Austėja is creating, Bubilas is consuming, enabling a never-ending cycle of beekeeping. We see Austėja as a powerful motherly goddess, representing sacred values.
Austėja is not mentioned in the folk songs but bees are often mentioned and worshiped in them. Folk music band Kūlgrinda has dedicated the whole album to the bee goddess.
References[edit]
- ^ Department of Statistics to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania (Statistics Lithuania). (February 11, 2006). Įdomioji statistika Archived 2008-02-21 at the Wayback Machine.
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