Meness

by Aldis Putelis

 
The Moon. In a number of texts – protector of travelers and soldiers, probably as the source of light at night.
In Latvian tradition – masculine, opposed to many other Indo-European mythologies, although there are linguistic data (G. F. Stender. Neue vollstaendige Lettische Grammatik. – Braunschweig 1761; J. Lange. Vollstaendiger lettisch-deutsches Lexicon. – 1773.) supposedly proving the feminine aspect of Meness.

Meness (“moon”) is one of the suitors of the sun goddess Saule or her daughters, Saules meitas. He appears in several mythological motifs: he counts the stars, and finds out that Auseklis is missing; he is in hostile relations with the Sun because he stole Auseklis’ bride. He also appears as a counterpart of Saule, the one who shines at night. Although Meness is generally masculine in modern language, still in a number of variants a feminine form appears.

 
Article details:
· Also known as:
Mèness
Mehness