Water in Lithuanian traditions by Vainius Zajankauskas

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any

use which may be made of the information contained therein

Content

• Is water life?• Water’s role in tales.• Massacre place – well?• Tears• Importance of water in Lithuanian celebrations.• Water and love

Objective

• To present the importance of water in Lithuanian traditions.

Is water life?

• Water is life. This is demonstrated by Lithuanians wish and will to relate water with the birth of a child, beginning of life and nature.

• It was even a tradition to throw a stick to the well and hope for a child coming from it! This crazy idea wasn’t the only one. There were thousands of them and they all were a little bit strange and curious.

The role of water in tales

• In tales water is represented pure and fresh. It is related with the birth of a child, the beginning of life. Lithuanians believed that water is a great medicine from infertility. If a couple couldn’t start a family, men gave their women drink some magic water. They even took their women to the river or lake and told them to wash clothes there. It was believed that while washing women can find their babies in the water. They also believed that sometimes a child can be caught with a rod or net...

Massacre place – wells?

• There are stories which say that a well is a thing which can make a child unborn. People believed that if you do not want a child you just have to put a little bit of blood into a dry well and then you won’t have any children at all in your whole life! Kind a creepy, huh?

Tears

• In tales tears are also demonstrated as a help for children to be born. There is a story which tells us about God’s tear. Once the God was crying and one tear fell to the earth. That tear became a child…

The importance of water in Lithuanian celebrations.

• Water is very important in celebrations like St. John’s day or Easter. Also we all know that kids are christened not with juice or coffee but with water.

• Talking about St. John’s day we can remember that the very first John was a Baptist of Jesus.

Water is love <3

• On St. John’s day people make wreaths were float them in rivers and lakes to show the world that their love is the strongest in the world.

• Also Lithuanians believed that on this day water gains a magic power and can heal sickness or make you feel the warmest and most wonderful feelings and emotions.

Thank you for your attention!!!