Māra is the female counterpart of God and she is the top goddess in Latvian mythology. She was believed as the alternate aspects of Dievs, Lopu māte, Piena Māte (Mother of the Milk), Veļu Māte (mother of the souls/spirits), Zemes Māte (Mother of the Earth) and other “mothers”.
She is known as the patroness of all feminine duties, economic activities, money, and markets. When one dies, Māra takes the body of the person while Dievs take the soul. She is also the goddess of land. In the western and some parts of Latvia, Māra is linked with Laima.
Every August 15, the Māras festival was held in honor of Māra. With the Christian influence, she was identified with Mary, whose main festival was also held on the same date.
Other names: Māre, Mārīte (diminutive), Mārša, Māršava (Western Latvia)