Ašvieniai

Ašvieniai are presented in the sources as the twin sons of a sky‑father figure (Dievs / Dyēus‑type). Accounts vary over maternal attribution or relational roles: in some traditions they are described as children or helpers of solar figures (Saulė / Saules Meitia) or associated with Lada; in comparative myth they are treated as Baltic reflexes of the Indo‑European Divine Twins mytheme (parallel to the Vedic Aśvins and Latvian Dieva dēli). The exact familial details differ between sources and versions, and multiple accounts record these relations rather than a single canonical origin.

In popular and material culture Ašvieniai most commonly appear as paired 'little horses' (žirgeliai) used as decorative and apotropaic motifs on rooftops, beehives, harnesses, bed frames and other household objects. Some versions note shape‑change or dual aspects, where the twins can appear in human form; in such accounts Usins is described as having white hair in human form, while both are described as white‑haired when appearing as horses. These human or hybrid descriptions are attested in some sources rather than universally.

Their primary cosmological role is to pull the Sun's chariot across the sky as the solar charioteers of Saulė. They are linked to seasonal functions through their individual identities: Usins is associated with spring and summer and with the festival Jurģi (April 23), while Martins is associated with autumn and winter and with Martini (November 10). In vernacular practice their depiction serves an apotropaic function — placed on roofs and household items to protect the house. Sources do not describe them as harmful nor record abilities framed as dangerous to humans.