The Idol Linden of Valdemārpils (Elku liepa) is the largest and thickest superlative linden in the Baltic States, the age of which is estimated at 400–500 years. The linden grows next to the former manor house, reaching a circumference of 8.8 m. According to legends, the linden was an ancient cult tree with different rituals taking place at its feet. In Latvian mythology, linden is a symbol of the feminine; and a beautiful maiden is compared to a healthy linden tree. For girls, the cradle pole was always cut from the linden, and the bathhouse for washing the girl was fired with linden-firewood. At christening, when raising the girl up, they used to say: “Be as gorgeous as a linden!”.
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