Baltic mythology: a living ancient cultural tradition

Unique historical heritage

An 8-day trip

Did you know that crusades of the Teutonic Knights took place to Lithuania and that Lithuania was the last country in Europe to convert to Christianity? Did you know that mythological traditions are still alive? Would you like to know the meaning of these traditions? Then this trip on Baltic mythology is something for you.

Lithuanians preserved their traditional pagan religion until the 14th and 15th centuries. Although every effort was made to destroy the so-called ‘Baltic religion', many stayed faithful these traditions through the centuries. The Baltic mythological rituals are one of the most active and living traditions in the Lithuanian culture. The current rituals are based on historical sources and traditions and folklore that remained in vogue.

The Baltic mythology was a polytheistic religion and had little in common with Christianity. At the top of the Baltic Panteon stood Dievas who lived in heaven. Dievas was the father of the heavenly family. He was considered the creator of order in the world. Dievas formed together with Perkūnas, the god of thunder, and the gods of the sun (Saule) and the Moon (Menes), the morning star and the stars of the heavenly family. There were also a number of lesser gods who influenced the various aspects of nature and everyday life.

The Baltic mythology had a season-related cycle of eight festivals; the solstices and equinoxes plus four other festivities associated with agriculture. Besides the festival rituals there were also rituals, for instance, for the naming of newborns, weddings and funerals. Some of the festivals are still held.

The most important ritual in the Baltic mythology was the 'fire ritual'. This sacred fire was lit at each festival. During the lighting of the fire ritual hymns were sung. The ritual hymns were passed from generation to generation.

The Baltic priests performed traditional rituals under 'holy oaks' and on the hillsides where the sacred fire was burning in an altar. The mythological significance and function of the holy places was closely related with the gods.