Hiie (Hiis)

Grove, sacred grove, sacred spot in general: stone, tree, hill, spring. There seems to be a line going across the country with sacred groves, hiied, being slightly more common in the northern half. Named after some extremely old trees nearby (see Hiidtamme). The term seems to derive from Proto-Finnic *hiici, thought originally to mean ‘burial ground’ and evolving into Finnish hiisi, devil, forest spirit, hell, etc. (but see Hiiela), or perhaps a loan from Proto-Germanic *χīđiz, for den or thicket. Hiie põik formerly known as Hõbemäe (silver mountain/hill).