| H₂weh₁-yú | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Equivalents | |
| Greek equivalent | Anemoi |
| Roman equivalent | Venti |
| Hinduism equivalent | Vayu |
| Zoroastrian equivalent | Vayu-Vata |
| Baltic equivalent | Vėjas |
H₂weh₁-yú is the reconstructed word for wind in Proto-Indo-European.
The deification of the wind is attested in most Indo-European traditions. The root *h₂weh₁ ("to blow") is at the origin of the two words for the wind: *H₂weh₁-yú- and *H₂w(e)h₁-nt-.[1][2] The deity is indeed often depicted as a couple in the Indo-Iranian tradition. Vayu-Vāta is a dual divinity in the Avesta, Vāta being associated with the stormy winds and described as coming from everywhere ("from below, from above, from in front, from behind"). Similarly, the Vedic Vāyu, the lord of the winds, is connected in the Vedas with Indra—the king of Svarga Loka (also called Indraloka)—while the other deity Vāta represents a more violent sort of wind and is instead associated with Parjanya—the god of rain and thunder.[2] Other cognates include Hitt. huwant-, Lith. vėjas, Toch. B yente, Lat. uentus, Ger. *windaz, or Welsh gwynt.[2] The Slavic Viy is another possible equivalent entity.[3]
He is hypothesized to have been linked to life and death through adding and taking breath from people.[3]
Etymology edit
The name H₂weh₁-yú is derived from the reconstructed Proto-Indo-European root *h₂weh₁-, meaning "to blow" or "to breathe".[1][2]
See also edit
References edit
Sources edit
- Mallory, James P.; Adams, Douglas Q. (2006). The Oxford Introduction to Proto-Indo-European and the Proto-Indo-European World. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-929668-2.
- West, Martin L. (2007). Indo-European Poetry and Myth. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-928075-9.
Category:Wind deities
Category:Reconstructed words
Category:Proto-Indo-European gods