Pikullos (Pikollos, Or Potollos)

Pikullos (Pikollos, Or Potollos)

Pikullos (Pikollos, or Potollos)

was the destroying principle, the third person of the trinity among the Lithuanians, or ancient heathen Prussians, being the opposite of Potrimpos, the preserving principle. An image of this god stood at Romowe, in a hollow of the sacred oak-tree. He was represented as an old bearded man with pale face, the head bound by a white cloth. Three skulls, one of a man, another of a horse, and the third of a bull, were his symbols. Human beings, cattle, horses, and goats, were sacrificed to him, and their blood was poured out at the foot of the great oak-tree to cause its constant growth. Potrimpos was loved, Pikullos feared. He found joy in men's misery. He was not worshipped among other nations, but was compared with Pluto, and with the moon, Loke, Hel, and Odin of the Scandinavians.