Lauma - in Lithuanian Mythology

In Lithuanian Mythology

Laumės are the very oldest goddesses of Lithuanian mythology. The image of these goddesses may have formed during historical Mesolithic period, just after the Ice Age. Laumės could appear in form of animals - as she-goats, bears, brown bitches or mares. Later on they had an antropomorphic appearance: usually had birds’ claws for feet, appear like women with a heads or lower body of she-goats, half human / half bitch or half mare (like Centaurs), had only one eye (like Cyclops), had large breasts with stone nipples (pieces of Belemnitida found on ground were called Laumės nipples). Laumės were dangerous, especially to men. They could tickle or tweak them to death and then eat their bodies. That's how they were similar to Lamia of Greek Mythology. They were afraid of tools made from Iron. The old myth claimed Laumės kept some huge cows, which could be milked by all the people. However, once after very cold weathers all cows of Laumės had died and pieces of Belemnitida are actually are remains of their udders.

Laumės can bee considered as atmospheric goddesses. It is said that Laumė was a beautiful goddess, who lived in clouds and had a diamond throne. Some myths claimed, Laumė was a bride of thunder god Perkūnas, however, they did not became married because Laumė fell in love with the Moon (which was considered a male god in Lithuania) or the bride was stolen by Velnias (devil) named Tuolius. That's why Laumė liked moonshine. In other myth, the bride of Perkūnas was a Laumė called Vaiva. The rainbow was called the ribbon of Vaiva. Despite her marriage she had a belowed singer named Straublys. Straublys had stolen the ribbon of Vaiva. During the rain, Straublys streches the ribbon of Vaiva across the sky, while Perkūnas is angry and shouts in thunder. It was believed it is the rainbow that cause the rain, while Lithuanian shepherds had a prayer or curse by which the rainbow had to turn to pieces and make the rain go away. The other myth claimed Laumė fell in love with a beautiful young man down to earth. They both had a son named Meilius (name derrived from word 'Meilė' - love). Laumė descended to sky to feed her son with her breasts from time to time. However, the highest God found out about the son of sacraligous love, smashed him into highest place of the sky and gave him a place between stars. After that he cut Laumės breasts, and so, stone pieces of it can be found on Earth.

Laumės descended from sky to Earth. They lived near by lakes, abandoned bath-houses, in islands of lakes or dense forests. Lots of names of water pools in Lithuania are named after word Laumė. Laumės liked to gather near rivers, lakes, swamps, in meadows, there dew falled in night in New Moon or Full Moon. They danced and enjoyed themselves, leaving circles (like Fairy Ring) in the grass. Usually, Laumės were most powerful at Friday of New Moon, at the most rainy days of month in Lithuania. Laumės could cause hail, storm or rain by singing, dancing or by curses. Laumės song was traditionally performed during weddings up until 19th century. The song was performed by girls dancing in circle, with one in the middle. The dance and song was also said to cause rain.

Later on, Laumės were depicted as very beautiful women, who appeared both naked or with very fine clothing. The Rainbow was often called a ribbon lost by Laumės. What's how they were associated with weaving. Laumės usually appeared in groups of three. They were able to do women’s work perfectly, as are especially skilled in weaving and spinning. They love children, respect industriousness and help those in need. They punish those who ridicule them, and those who are lazy. Following are two example folk tales featuring Laumės: