Her name is derived from gaubti (to cover, to protect)[1] or from St. Agatha (Russian: Гафия, Gafiya).
[2] Gabija is only mentioned in a list of Lithuanian gods by the Christian theologian Jan Łasicki in his treatise on idolatry (published in 1615).
[2] Gabija could take zoomorphic forms of a cat, stork or rooster,[1] or she could appear as a woman clothed in red.
Much folklore describes the ill fate of those who offended Gabija by stomping, spitting, or urinating on her.
[3] Matka Gabia is the Lithuanian goddess of the home, hearth, and patron of their care.