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Ancient Lithuanian Ancient LithuanianMythology and ReligionMythology and Religion

The main sources of knowledge of the LithuanianThe main sources of knowledge of the Lithuanianreligion and mythology are the archaeological andreligion and mythology are the archaeological andetnographic data, as well as various writtenetnographic data, as well as various writtensources, toponymy and other objects of linguisticsources, toponymy and other objects of linguisticstudy.study.

ALDONA DROSEIKIENE GENERAL SECRETARY LITHUANIA 003702609068 mai: laumada@yahoo.com

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The history of Lithuanian faith and mythology can The history of Lithuanian faith and mythology can be subdivided into three epochs be subdivided into three epochs

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The first epoch is that of the early matriarchal tibalThe first epoch is that of the early matriarchal tibalsystem, during which religious imagery (totem,system, during which religious imagery (totem,animist and craft cult imagery) connected withanimist and craft cult imagery) connected withfeminine supernatural beings appeared in thefeminine supernatural beings appeared in thehunters' and gatherers' society (the Upperhunters' and gatherers' society (the UpperPalaeolithic and the Mesolithic).Palaeolithic and the Mesolithic).

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The second epoch was that of the late matriarchalThe second epoch was that of the late matriarchaltribal system, based on hoe agriculture, duringtribal system, based on hoe agriculture, duringwhich religious imagery connected with the cult ofwhich religious imagery connected with the cult offeminine deities of the Sun, the Moon, the Earthfeminine deities of the Sun, the Moon, the Earthdeveloped as well as those representing fertility anddeveloped as well as those representing fertility andwater. In the period of matriarchy the goddesseswater. In the period of matriarchy the goddesseswere responsible for the birth, existence and deathwere responsible for the birth, existence and deathof man, fauna and flora. Those deities took care thatof man, fauna and flora. Those deities took care thatthe continuity of life and fecundity be maintained inthe continuity of life and fecundity be maintained inthe Universe through constant interchangeability ofthe Universe through constant interchangeability oflife and death. The goddesses supervised the sky,life and death. The goddesses supervised the sky,the earth, water, fire and the atmosphere. Art,the earth, water, fire and the atmosphere. Art,especially the symbolic art, was created in theespecially the symbolic art, was created in thesphere of the cult of feminine divinities, while thesphere of the cult of feminine divinities, while therites of this cult was performed by womenrites of this cult was performed by womenthemselves survived into the the period of patriarchythemselves survived into the the period of patriarchy