Ancient and holy oak trees in Kurzeme are thought to have existed since the age of the ancient Curonians, who used them for the performance of various rituals. Some of them have names such as Holy Oak and Sacrificial Oak. It is believed that no one was allowed to break off a branch from the holy tree, because that would mean sickness and even death. The oak tree symbolises strength and masculinity in Latvian mythology. Some of the ancient sacred trees still stand in Kurzeme, and this may relate to newer traditions that come from the Curonians. One of the best known is the Mundigu sacrificial oak, which stands in a lovely place on the shore of Lake Mundigu. Its circumference is 7,8 m.
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