Žaltys
Carta Marina
, above the inscription LITVANIE PARS
A žaltys (Lithuanian pronunciation: [ʒɐlʲˈtʲǐːs], literally: grass snake) is a household spirit in Lithuanian mythology. As sacred animal of the sun goddess Saulė,[1] it is a guardian of the home and a symbol of fertility.[2] People used to keep it as a pet by the stove or other special area of the house,[1] believing that it would bring good harvest and wealth.[2] Killing žaltys was said to bring great misfortunes upon the household.[1] If žaltys was found in the field, people gave it milk attempting to befriend the creature and make it a sacred household pet.[3]
See also
- Eglė the Queen of Serpents
- Proto-Indo-European mythology
- Indo-European cosmogony
- Baltic mythology
- Prussian mythology
References
- ^ ISBN 1-59339-491-8.
- ^ a b Kiškienė, Elena (2008-05-09). "Uteniškių keiksmai". Šiaurės Atėnai (in Lithuanian) (892).
- ISBN 1-56718-149-X.
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