SIGNS OF MORNING STAR AUŠRINĖ IN THE BALTIC TRADITION: REGIONAL AND INTERCULTURAL FEATURES

Abstract

The present research aims to clarify a certain visual and mythical–poetic elements of Lithuanian folk culture

as codified images and symbols associated with the mythology of Baltic Aušra, Aušrinė (Morning star, Sun

Maiden and Sunrise) and to highlight previously unnoticed systemic relations between investigated cultural

phenomena, based on the tradition of the mythical world–view. Forms of particular rake type patterns in

folk textiles, their ancient archaeological analogues, and their folk names are analysed. Comb/rake pattern

forms and folk names are investigated as elements of mythical–poetic images, related to a combing action, in

folklore and customs associated with textile techniques. Ethnographic, folkloric and archaeological data, and

other local cultural and transcultural material is examined from an interdisciplinary perspective, using

historical and typological comparative and semiotic approaches, and from ethnological and mythological

points of view. The investigation of the Aušrinė image mythical–poetic context of wedding folklore, customs,

textile technologies and patterns reveals that its semantic field embraces folkloric extraordinary maidens,

divine virgins, characterised by the attributes of comb and rake, and the actions of hair combing and hair

braiding, and hay raking. Magic–symbolic hair combing and braiding actions were very important in Baltic

wedding rites of passage. This kind of textile technique, as well as the comb pattern on sashes in this context,

are interpreted as a codification of the wedding transformation related to Morning Star mythology.