|
photo fom Vilnius Univ. website
|
Prior to the coming of Christianity to Lithuania, pagan Lithuanians used an upright post in front of their homes with skulls and other pagan symbols to gain the protection of their ancient gods.
With the coming of Christianity, the ancient posts were replaced by crosses decorated with symbols of the sun and the moon and mini-shrines housing a wood carving of a pensive Christ. Many such crosses and shrine-posts can be found at waysides. Although similar traditions can also be found in neighboring countries like Poland, wayside crosses and shrines are especially numerous in western Lithuania.
More images:
example 1
example 2
example 3
example 4
|