Ausrine, a significant deity in Lithuanian mythology, represents the morning star, Venus. As a feminine figure, she symbolizes the dawn and is often associated with beauty and light. In contrast to her counterpart, Vakarine, the evening star, Ausrine’s presence ushers in the beginning of each day.
The origins of Ausrine’s cult can be traced back to the Indo-European dawn goddess, Hausos. This connection illustrates the common thread shared by various mythologies, such as Latvian Auseklis, Greek Eos, Roman Aurora, and Vedic Ushas. Ausrine’s important role in Lithuanian legends highlights the reverence given to her as a symbol of new beginnings.
As a daughter of the god in Lithuanian folklore, Ausrine occupies a unique place in the pantheon of deities. Her influence extends not only to the celestial sphere, but also to the everyday lives and rituals of the Lithuanian people, making her a lasting figure in their cultural heritage.
Origins of Ausrine
Aušrinė is a goddess in Lithuanian mythology, known as the deity of the Morning Star or Venus. Her origins can be traced back to the Indo-European dawn goddess Hausos, and she shares connections with the Latvian Auseklis, Greek Eos, Roman Aurora, and Vedic Ushas.
In folklore, Aušrinė is the antipode to Vakarinė, the Evening Star, and is often associated with beauty, love, and youth. Each morning, Aušrinė and her servant Tarnaitis prepare the way for Saulė, the Sun goddess, and it is believed that she lights the way to paradise.
Her cult was widespread in ancient Lithuania, and its influence can still be seen in many traditional folkloric beliefs and customs today.
Ausrine in Lithuanian Mythology
Association with the Morning Star
Aušrinė is a significant goddess in Lithuanian mythology, often associated with the planet Venus. As the Morning Star, she holds an important place in the Lithuanian pantheon, symbolizing beauty, love, and youth. Aušrinė’s association with the morning star possibly stems from the Indo-European dawn goddess Hausos, linking her to Latvian Auseklis, Greek Eos, Roman Aurora, and Vedic Ushas.
Myths and Legends
In Lithuanian mythology, Aušrinė is believed to be the daughter of Saulė, the sun goddess. There are tales of the moon god, Menuo, having an affair with her, leading to a strained relationship between Saulė and Menuo. Aušrinė is also connected with health, rebirth, and new beginnings. Later on, after Lithuania was Christianized, her cult merged with Christian imagery, and her symbolism closely resembled that of the Virgin Mary.
Worship and Rituals
Ancient Practices
In ancient Lithuania, Aušrinė was revered as the goddess of beauty, love, and youth. Her worship was closely tied to the symbolism of the Morning Star, Venus, and the dawn. She was associated with health, re-birth, and new beginnings.
Common rituals at the time included offerings and prayers to Aušrinė for guidance, protection, and favor. As the daughter of Saulė (the sun goddess) and an important figure in Lithuanian mythology, her worship was significant in the daily lives of pre-Christian Lithuanians.
Modern Revival
With the resurgence of interest in Lithuanian mythology and culture, the worship of Aušrinė and other deities has experienced a revival. Modern adherents often practice rituals inspired by ancient Lithuanian customs.
Some of these practices include:
- Honoring the Morning Star: Recognizing the appearance of Venus in the morning sky, and offering a moment of gratitude or prayer.
- Celebrations: Holding festivals or gatherings during significant periods in Aušrinė’s mythology, such as solstices and equinoxes.
- Artistic expressions: Creating artwork, music, or poetry inspired by Aušrinė and her mythology, to keep her stories and influence alive.
This modern revival serves as a means to connect with Lithuania’s cultural heritage, creating a bond between the nation’s past and present. Through these revived practices, Aušrinė remains an important symbol of beauty, love, youth, and new beginnings.
Symbols and Iconography
Aušrinė, a goddess associated with the morning star (Venus), plays a vital role in Lithuanian mythology. Her status as a feminine deity representing the dawning light makes her a symbol of hope and renewal. Lithuanian folklore often portrays her as a radiant figure, embodying brightness and shining light.
In iconography, Aušrinė is often depicted with her celestial counterpart, Vakarinė, the goddess of the evening star. Both goddesses are occasionally illustrated as celestial sisters or representing a dual aspect of the same deity. They are also connected with other goddesses of dawn from various mythologies, such as Greek Eos, Roman Aurora, Latvian Auseklis, and Vedic Ushas.
Lithuanian depictions of Aušrinė typically integrate symbols of light and the morning star, with representations such as torch, light rays, and stars. These symbols emphasize her connection with the dawning light and help convey the feelings of hope, vitality, and renewal that she embodies.
Influence on Culture
Literature and Folklore
Aušrinė, the goddess of beauty, love, and youth, has played a significant role in Lithuanian culture. In mythology, Aušrinė was depicted as a beautiful woman associated with health, rebirth, and new beginnings. After Lithuania’s Christianization, the cult of Aušrinė merged with Christian images and the symbolism of the Virgin Mary1.
In literature and folklore, Aušrinė was mentioned by 16th-century Polish historian Jan Łasicki2. In addition, she has been portrayed in various creative works related to Lithuanian mythology, often referred to as the planet Venus3. Fluidity in the accounts of Baltic religion and an overlap with ancient Indo-European beliefs led to the survival of elements of these mythological figures even after Lithuania’s conversion to Christianity[^4^].
Contemporary Representations
In the modern world, Aušrinė has continued to influence art, music, and even popular culture. Various contemporary artists and designers have been inspired by her attributes and mythology when creating posters, paintings, and other artistic expressions. Songwriters often incorporate folklore and mythology into their lyrics, paying tribute to Lithuania’s rich cultural heritage steeped in pre-Christian mythologies.
Source List:
- Aušrinė – Wikipedia2
- Lithuanian mythology – Wikipedia[^4^]
- AUSRINE – the Lithuanian Goddess of the Evening Star (Lithuanian mythology)3
- List of Lithuanian gods and mythological figures – Wikipedia[^5^]
Comparative Mythology
Aušrinė, also known as Ausrine, is a feminine deity in Lithuanian mythology. She represents the morning star, Venus, and serves as an antipode to Vakarinė, the evening star. Aušrinė’s role in the pantheon exhibits similarities to sacred figures in other mythological systems.
In neighboring Latvian mythology, the morning star is associated with a male god called Auseklis. The differences in gender representation between Latvian and Lithuanian interpretations of the dawn deity suggest regional variations. Despite this, both cultural traditions consider the morning star as a prominent and meaningful figure.
Several connections can be made, such as Aušrinė’s link to the Hindu goddess Ushas, who is also associated with the dawn. Furthermore, Auštaras, another Lithuanian deity, shares some ties with Aušrinė, as they both have responsibilities involving light. The presence of celestial bodies and deities who illuminate the world can be found across various mythologies around the globe.
Academic Perspectives
Aušrinė, a prominent figure in Lithuanian mythology, is the goddess of the morning star (Venus). Goddess Aušrinė is the antipode to “Vakarinė”, who represents the evening star. Her cult is believed to have originated from the Indo-European dawn goddess Hausōs, with ties to similar figures in other mythologies such as the Latvian Auseklis, Greek Eos, Roman Aurora, and Vedic Ushas2.
Researchers have explored Lithuanian mythology and its deities, including Aušrinė, as part of a broader academic interest in pre-Christian polytheism. As part of the Lithuanian pantheon, Aušrinė shares her divine significance with other gods and goddesses such as Dievas, Gabija, Laima, Mėnuo, and Perkūnas1.
Though most historic accounts of Lithuanian gods come from the 16th century, linguistics and comparative studies have assisted in reconstructing the ancient beliefs. Aušrinė’s characterization as both a fascinating and endearing deity highlights the importance of nature and celestial bodies within the context of Lithuanian mythology3.