Ašvieniai

Ašvieniai are divine twins in the Lithuanian mythology identical to Latvian Dieva deli and direct counterparts of Vedic Ashvins.[1] The both names derive from the same Proto-Indo-European root for the horse - *ek'w-.[2] Old Lithuanian ašva and Sanskrit ashva mean "horse". Ašvieniai are represented as pulling carriage of Saulė (the Sun) through the sky.[1] Ašvieniai, depicted as žirgeliai or little horses, are common motifs on Lithuanian rooftops[1] placed for protection of the house.[3] Similar motifs can also be found on beehives, harnesses, bed frames, and other household objects.[4] Ašvieniai are related to Lithuanian Ūsinis and Latvian Ūsiņš (cf. Vedic Ushas), gods of horses.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c Hamacher, Duane W.. "The Sumerians and Gemini: Sumerian Astronomical Interpretations as Origins of the Divine Horse Twins and Solar Chariots in Indo-European Mythology". p. 7. Archived from the original on 2010-10-31. http://www.webcitation.org/5tso8HIGS. 
  2. ^ Indo-European etymology
  3. ^ (Lithuanian) Dundulienė, Pranė (1991). Lietuvių etnologija. Mokslas. p. 50. ISBN 5420007134. 
  4. ^ (Lithuanian) Musteikis, Egidijus (2003-06-09). "Arklys tradicijose". Horse Museum – Branch of A. Baranauskas and A. Vienuolis-Žukauskas Memorial Museum. Archived from the original on 2010-10-31. http://www.webcitation.org/5tso3iY4G. Retrieved 2010-01-07. 
  5. ^ Leeming, David Adams (2003). From Olympus to Camelot: The World of European Mythology. Oxford University Press. pp. 125–126. ISBN 0195143612. http://books.google.com/books?id=myMgj6gUWUEC&pg=PT140.