Auseklis
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In Latvian mythology, Auseklis (derived from root "aus-" - "dawn") was a Latvian god, impersonation of Venus. He is third most popular deity in Latvian mithology after Saule and Mēness, still he is mentioned almost only in dainas.
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Auseklis as god
Image:Lietuvena krusts.pngAuseklis is closely associated with Mēness ("moon"), they both are Dieva dēli ("sons of God"), thus being confused with each other and other male deities. He is groom of Saules meita ("daughter of sun", Lithuanian Aušrinė). Few dainas probably suggest that Auseklis is to young to ride a horse, respectively a horse for him is bought, but a son doesn't need it yet, however it isn't clear if "son" is Auseklis himself, his son or the horse.
Auseklis as sign
An eight-pointed star, which became symbol of the third Latvian National Awakening, also is named Auseklis. It is also known as one of two crosses of Lietuvēns (an evil spirit), other being pentagram, which symbolizes Venus in other cultures, thus both signs could have been symbols of Auseklis, originally used for protection against evil spirits, but later pentagram became rather a symbol of the said spirit. Both signs had to be drawn without lifting the hand, this task can be quite tricky, therefore picture on right shows how to do it step-by-step.
Trivia
In the 19th century, the poet Mikus Krogzemis took Auseklis as his pseudonym.
References
- Latvijas Enciklopēdija, Rīga 2002, ISDN 9984-9482-0-X (1-8)
- http://www.dainuskapis.lv