XIX a. pabaigos - XX a. pradžios Lietuvos kaimo gyvenamojo trobesio gerosios kertės (krikštasuolės) simbolika

ENThe main problem of the article is the explication of the relics of the Lithuanian building ritual in the second half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century by stressing the ceremonial laying of the first foundation timber of a living house. The investigation has been carried out by the structural-functional method based mainly upon the analysis of narrative pieces and folk beliefs taken down during ethnographical fieldwork. The conclusion is: the Lithuanian building ritual as well as ritual implements laid inside the first-sacred corner of foundation timbers are most probably conceived as a symbolic magic expression of actual social relations and behaviour. They refer to transcendent spiritual reality and ultimate values of the tnaditional peasant community. It was believed that no building would stand safely enough if its foundations, expecially the first-sacred corner timbering, were laid without sacred implements, for example, a candle, bread and salt, a green bough, a silver coin, etc. These ritual implements served as symbols of apotropeic, similic and productive magic, for instance: to endow a new building with good fortune, to protect the house against fire, to secure it against the assaults of evil spirits, etc. The symbolism of building rituals and the meaning of the implements of sacred corners were based upon a syncretic (mixed pre-Christian and Christian) belief system and public psychology of traditionally integrated Lithuanian peasant community.