Baltic Symbols

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Svetlana Ryzhkova wrote a monograph for her doctorate called "The language of ornament in Latvian culture. (2002)".
Svetlana was a student of V. Toporov. She published on Latvian ethnography and myphology extensively.

This is an academic book.
Language: Russian.
Book: http://vk.com/doc357374_156059649?hash=2aaa6054bf175ad691&dl=28aabb49a7217e1962
The pictures of symbols start at page 315



Ancient symbols in Lithuania Folk Art (1958) Marija Gimbutas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marija_Gimbutas).
Language: English
Book: http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.32000007810338;view=1up;seq=1

[inactive_member]

Latvian mittens were given as gifts on special occasions. There're some 5,500 different patterns found on Latvian mittens according to the author on this website : http://westplains-mon.blogspot.com/2012/01/blog-post_22.html



The story of a thousand year old Latvian mitten

A short history

Latvia is famous for the fact that the oldest mittens have been found here by archaeologists. They are estimated to be approximately ten centuries old. The tradition of knitting mittens stems from the cold weather of Northern Europe; although it is worth mentioning that centuries ago mittens played a decorative role as well. By fastening them behind the waistband, they were worn in summer as a bijouterie and adornment. For several centuries they were the main form of gift and endowed with magical significance.

Nowadays Latvian mittens, so diverse in their colours and patterns are still an essential part of our winter clothing. Although there is always the possibility to wear synthetic gloves, the originality, tradition, warmth and sense of Latvia that is knitted into a mitten will be always worth a compliment.

To fit together like a hand and a glove – mitten traditions at weddings


Mittens are a very important part of several Latvian traditions. Probably the most popular role played by mittens is at a wedding.

Tradition says that before an unmarried girl entered into marriage she had to fill a hope chest. Mittens were an important part of the chest. The most lavish chests contained several hundred pairs of hand made mittens. They were given as gifts. Early tradition calls this giving process dedicating or devoting. The mittens were given to the mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, and other people involved in organising the wedding. They were dedicated to cows, sheep, and horses and left in places where the newly-weds were going to live. The most exiting fact is that every mitten had to be knitted in a different design using different patterns; otherwise the maids were laughed at. This could not have been done if not for the rich and diverse Latvian ethnographical culture. The symbolism within the mittens

Every mitten has its own story, as every pattern knitted has its own meaning and brings with it its own wish. Most of these patterns have been derived from the Latvian tradition of deities and gods. Every deity and god had its own tasks and mission and it was represented by one or more symbols that characterised it.
http://www.rigasummit.lv/en/id/cats/nid/697/







Some of the oldest known ornaments and symbols have been found on Latvian mittens. Here are some examples:





http://s23.postimg.org/8j69ag0e3/3548.jpg (http://postimage.org/)




http://s23.postimg.org/rmuzd1nuj/3582.jpg (http://postimage.org/)




http://s23.postimg.org/c03pzoa2j/aeaeae_IMG_6531.jpg (http://postimage.org/)




http://s23.postimg.org/zd1ri6q63/af_IMG_6332.jpg (http://postimage.org/)




http://s23.postimg.org/lbudadbzv/aiaiai_IMG_6456.jpg (http://postimage.org/)




http://s23.postimg.org/4x51bjjej/Clip3.jpg (http://postimage.org/)




http://s22.postimg.org/h62grmucv/616.jpg



http://s24.postimg.org/l26lvvddh/cimdi.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/7l9nd031t/full/)



http://s24.postimg.org/j7tre4qd1/Clip1.jpg (http://postimage.org/)



http://s24.postimg.org/64y4uv051/Clip2.jpg (http://postimage.org/)











Wedding gloves



http://s18.postimg.org/qawhrb255/P1250004.jpg (http://postimage.org/)





Gloves for everyday



http://s2.postimg.org/vd6xdykg9/aaaaaa_IMG_6592.jpg (http://postimage.org/)






The ornament on these gloves has been reconstructed by archaeologists.



http://s9.postimg.org/f5flnjbvz/Clip264.jpg (http://postimage.org/)






The cross of Mara or the cross of crosses



http://s13.postimg.org/i569fvyxj/Clip33_1a.jpg (http://postimage.org/)



http://s9.postimg.org/47i4akrfz/Clip51.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

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Water of Mara



http://s7.postimg.org/xeowg9747/Clip25_mara.jpg



http://s2.postimg.org/ch5u7v7yh/Clip35.jpg (http://postimage.org/)



http://s22.postimg.org/bef7myqsx/Clip37.jpg (http://postimage.org/)







The symbol of goddess Laima.



http://s8.postimg.org/6i2fxangx/Clip26_laima.jpg (http://postimage.org/)




http://s8.postimg.org/siisdx651/Clip40.jpg (http://postimage.org/)






Austra's Tree



http://s12.postimg.org/otafryni5/Clip29_austras_tree.jpg (http://postimage.org/)




(Wedding gloves)



http://s12.postimg.org/99321fddp/Clip41.jpg (http://postimage.org/)



http://s12.postimg.org/s2ouyfblp/Clip43.jpg (http://postimage.org/)





Solar symbols




http://s23.postimg.org/so09zab5n/Clip47.jpg (http://postimage.org/)




http://s23.postimg.org/p5oa2wa9n/Clip48.jpg (http://postimage.org/)





The symbol of moon



http://s13.postimg.org/9okztkfbr/Clip46.jpg (http://postimage.org/)





Auseklis



http://s21.postimg.org/52x3giz2v/Clip57.jpg (http://postimage.org/)







The symbol of grass snake (zalktis)




http://s16.postimg.org/7gn7qs70h/Clip21.jpg (http://postimage.org/)




http://s16.postimg.org/rcj76bo1x/Clip52.jpg (http://postimage.org/)




http://s9.postimg.org/3ksecj9bj/Clip53.jpg (http://postimage.org/)




The god of light (Usins)



http://s8.postimg.org/6txofa829/Clip28_Usins.jpg (http://postimage.org/)






http://s10.postimg.org/wxi02cr5l/Clip55.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[LouisFerdinand]

Banner of Lithuanian symbols
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/127860076890538935