Gabija: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Gabija.jpg|thumb|Gabija, a mosaic by Vitolis Trušys (1978)]] |
[[Image:Gabija.jpg|thumb|Gabija, a mosaic by Vitolis Trušys (1978)]] |
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'''Gabija''' (also known as Gabieta, Gabeta) is the [[goddess]] of [[fire]] and of the [[hearth]] of homes in [[Lithuanian mythology]]. Sometimes she takes the [[zoomorphic]] form of a [[cat]] or a [[bird]]. People respected Gabija and feared her wrath. Gabija was identified with [[Agatha of Sicily|St. Agatha]] after [[Christianization]]. |
'''Gabija''' (also known as Gabieta, Gabeta) is the [[goddess]] of [[fire]] and of the [[hearth]] of homes in [[Lithuanian mythology]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.pantheon.org/articles/g/gabija.html|title = Gabija|accessdate = 2007-11-18|year = 2007|work = Encyclopedia Mythica|publisher = Encyclopedia Mythica Online}}</ref> Sometimes she takes the [[zoomorphic]] form of a [[cat]] or a [[bird]]. People respected Gabija and feared her wrath. Gabija was identified with [[Agatha of Sicily|St. Agatha]] after [[Christianization]]. |
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The fire of Gabija was cared for like a domesticated animal. Before laying the bed for a fire, people would leave a utensil filled with water. They believed that Gabija would use that to bathe her face. When the bed of the fire was laid, prayers would be said to the goddess of fire. |
The fire of Gabija was cared for like a domesticated animal. Before laying the bed for a fire, people would leave a utensil filled with water. They believed that Gabija would use that to bathe her face. When the bed of the fire was laid, prayers would be said to the goddess of fire. |
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Revision as of 15:37, 11 February 2009
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2007) |
Gabija (also known as Gabieta, Gabeta) is the goddess of fire and of the hearth of homes in Lithuanian mythology.[1] Sometimes she takes the zoomorphic form of a cat or a bird. People respected Gabija and feared her wrath. Gabija was identified with St. Agatha after Christianization.
The fire of Gabija was cared for like a domesticated animal. Before laying the bed for a fire, people would leave a utensil filled with water. They believed that Gabija would use that to bathe her face. When the bed of the fire was laid, prayers would be said to the goddess of fire.
The belief was that the fire would provide protection from unclean people. These included thieves and other reprobates. Unclean people also were women during their monthly period or for 40 days after the delivery of a child. The fire itself could become unclean -- then a new fire would have to be lit. Gabija sometimes is identified with Gabjauja, one of the Lithuanian household gods.
References
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