Ancient Latvian Philosophy Web Site

Map of Ancient Latvian Philosophy Web Site
by Anda Vitols 1997

This is site explores the psycho-social influences on creation and maintenance of Ancient Latvian Philosophy.

This study does not imply causality. It is simply an observation and interpretation of correlations in movements of people and the archeological marks they left behind.

Foundation of a culture is based on values.
Foundation of values is based on the philosophies on how the universe works.

Unique factors of Latvian philosophy:
1) The Baltic languages, Latvian and Lithuanian, are the oldest indo-european languages still alive today. Sanskrit being a next-of- kin language.
2) Latvian philosophy itself is maintained by women in songs called "dainas". All other philosophy and history of culture have been primarily explained by men. As a result, the whole feel is different from what we are used to hearing today. Ironically, this structure appears to have been the norm troughout the human race, less the last 4000 to 6000 years.

Categorization of ancient ages

Stone age: Paleolith period - Old Stone Age (30,000 -> 10,000 BC)
Mesolith Period - Middle Stone Age (10,000 -> 8,000 BC)
Neolith Period - Late Stone Age (8,000 -> 3,000 BC)
Ancient World - Bronze Age & Iron Ages (3,000 -> 1,000 BC): Indo-European invasion (4,000 BC to 2,5000 BC)
Bronze Age (3,000 BC)
Iron Age (1,000 BC)

Bronze Age

Formation of Latvian philosophy and culture as we know it today occured during the bronze age.

Beliefs rooted in ancient Latvian philosophy

roots

The Natives living geographically in Latvia: Nemuna, Kunda, Narva cultures
The Invaders: Aryan Influence
Old Hindu Influence (pre-Vedic 2,500 BC)
Language roots

Synthesis of Ancient Latvian Philosophy

Assimilation of pre-2000 bc matriarch cultures in Latvian territory with Old Hindu language (Sanskrit) and Old Hindu philosophy before Aryan influence. Communicated through symbolic script (raksti) and songs (dainas).

structure

Summary of collective beliefs after invasions
Basic principles and assumptions: Monotheist polytheism, personification, maternal ideas, natures rules
Structure of ancient Latvian philosophy: Indo-Aryan structure vs Latvian structure
Saule as devine motive to live

dievini

Gods and goddesses - to help describe how the world works: Main devine trinity
Genesis of symbolic script and crosses
Devine triad of good versus bad (Indo-Aryan versus Latvian)
Zaļķis - link between heaven and earth
The pantheon of gods and goddesses gods

lifecycle

Philosophy of Life and Death

Interpretations Today

Dainas are used to pass down Latvian philosophy and culture from one generation to the next. Most phenmemon is described with analogies to nature.
See paper "Saule Sete Saites" by Anda Vitols

Ancient Latvian Calandar and Celebrations
Ancient Latvian Sun Calandar kalendars
Chart of Festivals festivals
Ancient Latvian Life celebrations (kustabas, Vedabas, Bedabas)