Cross-crafting and its Symbolism
Cross-crafting and its symbolism in Lithuania, a unique cultural tradition without analogues in the world, in 2001 was listed by UNESCO among the masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
A very specific tradition of cross-crafting and its symbolism started to develop in the 15th century, when Lithuania, the last pagan country in Europe, officially and entirely became a catholic country. For a long time new ideas of Christianity and antique local pagan traditions were very closely related in the local mentality. This dualism obviously was reflected in the cross-crafting tradition, where symbols of both religions could be found. Later, with incorporation of Lithuania into the orthodox Russian Empire in the 19th century or under the Soviet regime in the 20th century, typical wooden Lithuanian crosses became a symbol of national and religious identity.
The Lithuanian traditional crosses, pillar-type crosses, pillar shrines and shrines could be found not only in cemeteries and churchyards, but on the premises of almost every farmstead, along roadsides, in fields and villages, and even in forests. Cross-crafting, as a branch of traditional folk art, entails not only the making of the monument itself, but also the customs and rituals related to a particular monument.
The current panorama of cross-crafting in Lithuania is diverse, dynamic and subject to constant
change, as new crosses continue to be built. The bulk of these monuments were erected in the
second half of the 20th century and the beginning of this century. Against a background of the
modern monuments, the old ones – a live testimony to tradition – are of exceptional value.
The custom of erecting wooden monuments on graves of the deceased, near homesteads and in
villages, to mark a key event in one`s life, to express request, gratitude or veneration is deeply
rooted in the mind of Lithuanians. It is a custom that long periods of persecutions and prohibitions failed to eradicate. Therefore, today, Lithuania remains a unique exposition of cross-crafting in the open. One of the most significant monuments - now world famous Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai - is featuring thousands of crosses and has become a kind of symbol of Lithuanian cross-crafting.