/baltic/ - General Baltic Board

God, Sky, House, Man

A triangle pointed up.

As it is clear, it has the pointing motion to the sky. One needs to realize that it is not the house of The God, but as the god and sky itself. The unity of both meanings.

This sign was usually drawn in houses, usually on the roof. The roof is made in this exact form, so it is considered that you are living "under god".

This symbol "gives" you strength, stability and places you as one with the universe.

Māra/Mother/Unknown/Particular gods/Life and Death

Just as the first sign, it is a pointed triangle, but this time it is pointed down. This picture is just an example of how differently you can draw it, while still having the "pointing down" aspect.

One of the most difficult signs to understand, as the afterlife is not something Latvians were awfully concerned about, so "Death" might seem quite dark.

Also known as Māras sign, it is a sign of land and god, but, just as sky god, it is not a deity, but more of an essence of the idea and element. There are many gods of nature and most of them are women. Mother land, mother sea, mother wind, just as well mother milk and such. They are never drawn, because there is no such thing as in Greek pantheon where a man or a woman symbolizes the thing. Māra - she is the thing.

And also, as the unknown, it is considered to rule over the underworld. It is not clear what Latvians actually meant by that, as there are no signs pointing to anything like hell or the likes under the ground.

Sorry, my mistake. This is the sign of Māra.

Arrows of Laima/Brush of Laima/Conifer needles

Protection/Luck/Destiny

This is a sign that protects you, so it is smart to engrave it in places near your small child. Like cradle and bed.

Laima is the mother of your destiny. You can't ask particular luck from her in any single instance. You can encourage her to give you a peaceful and easy life without many hardships. The occasions you can use it for instant gain is when you feel that someone has cursed you, then this "broom" is said to clean the curse away.

This is the last sign of the most important 3 signs as for 3 gods. All other are important, but one can say that in these ones everything else is included

Cross of Thunder/ Firecross

Protection/Power

Like 2 crossed lighnings. A lot of people claim that when it goes clockwise, it has the old, great, glorified and respected meaning, but anti-clockwise it is just another sign balts use. That is basically not true. Old balts never pointed out to their children "do not draw it the other way, we are saving that one for other causes."

This is power.Winter really only ends when the first thunder has been heard in the spring, so it is considered that the Thunder god cleans everything out and gets everything ready for the spring.

This sign is drawn on swords and armor, as it is said to give one power. There were people who placed a bracelet of Thunder cross on their children when they were born and the grandchildren will take it off when he dies.

One of the funniest signs, as it is always nice to see Germans who see Nazzi hats offered to them in the market. Also, this is always shown in Russian media as proof that Latvians… Like hats or something.

Jumis

Prosperity

Combination of the Sign of Māra and the first sign.

This one has no double meaning at all, but is all about doubles.

It is a symbol of prosperity and every wheat or fruit that has grown together is a Jumis, as it shows "two fruits from one stem". This one is always drawn all around the house. If you look closely in an old home, you will notice it in kitchen, in granary, everywhere.

Whenever you want to loot and pillage, evade places with signs of Thunder cross and aim at a house where you see this sign. Then hope that it has worked for them.

Ūsiņš [oosynsh]

Safety/Horses

Like 2 "E" joined with their backs.

This is the sign for horses. Everything to do with horses, you add this sign. Get them ready for winter? Want to sell them? One is having birth? This sign.

It is used, of course, on all horse related things, but also on gloves. Gloves with this sign has a special name "atslēgaiņi" (unlockers or keyholders) and it is said to bring luck when traveling.

This is the third and last demi-god signs.