Velinas : The God of the Dead

Velinas or Velnias

Introduction

Velnias or Velinas is a god of the Latvian velis or Lithuanian vles, which which can be compared to a modern day zombie. He is a one-eyed prophet who can raise whirlwinds and lead the souls of the dead through the skies. Like the Nordic or Germanic Wodan, he is similar to the Pickollos or Patollos from the Old Prussian and Lithuanian traditions.

Velnias was the assistant of the gods but his legend contains more than that. In the earliest layer of Baltic mythology, Velnias was seen as one of the cosmological creator beings and as one of the creators of the material world. His connection to death and reincarnation dates back to prehistoric times and Baltic ancestral worship.

Physical Traits

Velnias could appear in various forms, and in most Baltic folk tales, shape sifting is a common element. He was associated with reptiles, birds, and animals. He could also take the form of people from different professions and ages.

In folk tales, Velnias was described as a physically attractive man who seeks the love of women and sometimes even married them. Stories about Velnias and his relationship with women were very much disapproved by Christians which later on increased his questionable reputation.

In folklore, Velnias is regarded as a creature that’s capable of being both clever and stupid. Most commonly, it’s described as an anthropomorphic creature that features a tail, horns, and a pair of hooved feet. However, since the devil in Christian beliefs was also depicted in this form, it’s hard to tell the difference between the real and post-Christian version. Velnias is said to live in various locations, such as barns, ponds, caves, and marshlands. In folk tales, he is associated with stones, and he carries it in an attempt to throw it into a church.

Family

The singular entity known as Velnias is considered to be a giant, similar to Dievas, the sky god who has been said to be either his brother or father. They are two opposing forces of which Deivas creates everything that’s perfect, such as the plains and fields. On the other hand, Velnias creates everything that’s chaotic, such as the mountains and rocks.

Other Names

Velnias was also called Velinas, Vels, or Velns depending on the region that he was worshipped in.

Powers and Abilities

In Lithuanian mythology, Velnias is regarded as an antagonist of Perkunas, and he was associated with the treasures found within the Earth. He was also tasked with protecting the poor and punishing those who do evil deeds, such as drunkards, thieves, and dishonest individuals.

Velnias was helpful to people, helping them to build churches, bridges, and land. He also provided assistance to hunters and blacksmiths, and he would sometimes tempt them into committing sin. He additionally made fun of them, and he would sometimes harm them in various ways.

It is believed that Velnias is afraid of rowan, ivy, linden, hazel, juniper and candle light. Much like the traditional devil, Velnias is also fearful of all sacred things: the rosary, the cross and the holy bread.

Modern Day Influence

With the growth and spread of Christianity, the need to make both pagan and modern Christianity exist  side by side influenced many characters in Baltic mythology. Some characters like Velnias were merged with Christian understanding of Satan to provide relatability to the concept of death and the afterlife.