The visual and the mythical-poetic interpretations of sky luminaries in Lithuanian traditional textiles
Volume 10 (2008): Astronomy and Cosmology in Folk Traditions and Cultural Heritage, pp. 78–85
Pub. online: 20 December 2008
Type: Article
Open Access
Received
2 November 2007
2 November 2007
Revised
30 November 2008
30 November 2008
Published
20 December 2008
20 December 2008
Abstract
This paper analyses some interconnected aspects of Lithuanian folk astronomy. The same mythical–poetic images linking sky luminaries, things in the natural world, and mythological beings as well as human beings are present in Lithuanian mythicalpoetic folklore and in the names of textile ornamentations. Their semiotic net generally comprises flowers, plants, wild and domestic animals, celestial luminaries and mythical people as well as human beings and their artefacts. The investigation of images reveals the mythical-poetic linkage between all the celestial luminaries and concepts of light, marriage and fertility that belong more generally to the Sun Maiden mythology complex.