Latvian Symbols. Before Latvia, there were the Latgallians. Located across the Vidzeme region, the tribe dates back to the Iron Age. They were one of the first Indo-European tribes, and where most Latvians can trace their heritage back to. Although the Latgallian language has since evolved to Latvian, there are some traces that have prevailed across history: its folklore and mythology. Specifically, the symbols that represent different parts of their stories.
Pagan in nature, Latvian symbols are connected to its mythology. These symbols typically include geometric shapes. These symbols tend to depict gods, mythical figures and natures, and serve as a testament to the rich heritage that Latvia possesses. Many of the symbols have multiple variations, especially in ornamental form. Many of the symbols are an important representation of gods, their protection and power as well as their connection to agriculture. Latvians continue to use these ancient symbols in everyday life to ward off evil spirits and to seek protection from ancient gods.
Latvian Symbols - Latvian Meanings - Latvian Vectors
The Cross of The Moon
The moon is seen as a paternal figure in Latvian folklore. The Cross of the Moon is related to agriculture and a sign of growth and disasters. Farmers identify with this symbol since the moon is related to crop growth. It is also seen as a symbol of protection for soldiers and was often found sewn on battle uniforms.
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Austra’s koks
A depiction of world order. Austra’s koks is a symbol of guarding what is beautiful and valuable. It is seen as representing luck and success. Austra’s koks is a stylized oak tree, to show the “tree of life” and its three worlds: past, present, and future.
Zvaigzne
Zvaigzne is a representation of the world in motion. Seen as an eternal symbol, it represents the balance of life and death. Zvaigzne is seen as protection against evil. It is also seen as a symbol of the morning star.
Thunder cross
The thunder cross is a representation of the god Perkons, who controls Thunder. Perkons is the second most important deity, following Dievs. The thunder cross is a symbol of light, fire, and health. It is known as the Cross of the Thunder, and a positive sign of prosperity.
Māra’s earth
Māra’s earth is a symbol of the material world, Mara is a defender of women and the rule of both earth and underground. A goddess-mother, Mara holds special importance in Latvian mythology. The Mother of Earth protects the dead and Mara is also the ruler of other goddesses such as Wind, Sea, and Milk. A symbol of maternal love and power, Mara is a strong force in Latvian folklore.
Maras zeme – Earth mother
Maras zeme is a depiction of Mara, the mother goddess, and her land. It is a symbol of peace and stability. She is seen as the protector of women, and the goddess of children and childbirth. Maras zeme is a representation of her power and reach, and her role as the goddess of the land.
Slipais Krusts
Also a cross of God. Slipais Krusts is a symbol of world order. It also depicts movement and productivity. It is a symbol of balance between the past and present. Slipais Krusts is a dynamic symbol to show development.
Krusts
A cross of the god, Krusts is representative of harmony. It is seen as a symbol of unity. It is also seen as representing luck and energy. Krusts is also seen as protection against sickness and envy.
Krupitis
Literally translated as the toad, Krupitis is the symbol of the subconscious. It represents knowledge and wisdom. It is also representative of the importance of intuition. Krupitis is also seen as a balance between the world of dreams and desires.
Metenis
Metenis symbolizes a new beginning. Metenis is an ancient Latvian spring holiday that preserves an ancient tradition of celebrating New Year in February. It is a holiday of eating and drinking. It is also believed that the longer it is celebrated, the longer harvest season will be.
Aka
Aka is also referred to as a double-cross. The aka is a representation of the sun and the earth. It also healds the beginning of the harvest season. Aka is seen as a symbol of experience, knowledge, and wisdom. Some also see it as a symbol of unity and harmony.
Martina
Martina is seen as a sign of light and fire. It shows two roosters that are awake in the early morning and are the light messengers. It is a sign of warmth and light that holds particular important in the winter. Martina is also representative of a new beginning in winter when life may seem gone but it is growing in the ground.
Janis
Janis is a a summer solstice deity and known as a son of God. He is known to bring luck and fertility to Latvians. June 23rd is a Midsummer Night’s Festival held in Latvia to celebrate his coming and is also known as Jagi. Janis is essentially known as the god of summer.
Auseklis – Morning star
A male god, Auskeklis is under Mēness but competes for the Saule’s daughter. Auseklis is a representation of light defeating dark. It is also seen as a symbol for the protection of men. It can be also be seen as a rising sun, rising star or rising moon.
Mēness
Known as the Moon God, Mēness is one of the gods of the heavens. The symbol represents the cycle of life. It is a representation of creation and destruction, and the natural life forces. In Latvian folklore, Mēness courted the daughters of Saule.
Saule
A representation of health and harmony. Saule is translated as the sun, and therefore represents light. It is also a symbol of eternity and its endlessness. Saule is considered a protecting force.
Ugunskrusts – Firecross
Ugunskrusts is generally seen as a symbol of protection against evil. It is also a representation of health and well-being. It is also known as the Cross of the Fire. The Fire cross is related to the Sun, Laima (fates) and Thunder.
Māra’s cross
A maternal goddess, Mara’s cross is a representation of fertility, completeness, fire, and the home. Often found on fresh-baked bread and fireplaces, it was seen as a way to sacrifice to Mara and earn her blessing. Mara is also associated with childbirth and children, and a protector of women.
Zalktis – Grass snake
An ancient symbol, Zalktis is representative of a serpent goddess. An ancient deity, she is considered a grandmother goddess in folklore. Her powers life in healing, both physical and mental and in her wisdom. Zalktis is associated with general health and well-being.
Ūsiņš
Also known as Dzīvība, is responsible for horses and light. In Latvian folklore, Ūsiņš is their God. Seen as a paternal figure, he is believed to be one of the Sky’s Gods. Usins is a symbol that relates to spring and a way to signal to peasants to care for their horses. It is believed to be a symbol of light and strength. It represents strength to those who are weak and a safe journey.
Jumis
A sign of fertility, Jumis is a symbol of the end of spring and summer – hence the twin sign. The two together represent harvest season and a sign of fortune and fertility. Generally, Jumis is seen as a symbol of strength, wealth and success. It denotes the beginning of well-being and abundance.
Laima
Laima and her mother are known as the Fates in both Latvian and Lithuanian mythology. The symbol of Laima depicts the external influence that humans have on their lives. It is meant to show the power of the fates on the lives of humans. The pattern itself is meant to resemble the needle pattern that pine trees have. It is a symbol of life and the seasons as well as divine fortune.
Dievs – Sign of God
Dievs is a symbol depicting everything that is up – from the heavens to the gods. As a symbol of the sky, heaven and gods, Dievs as a symbol is very important. It depicts the housing of powerful entities such as the gods. The sky holds special meaning in Latvian mythology since this is where the gods dwell.
