Venaoy

Venaoy ("island of veins"; /ˈveːnaˌø(y)/; officially known as Vanaoy, 1616–1685) is the largest island of Anseth – one of the Holy Lakes of Hurmu. A barren island, it has historically been used mainly for religious and cultural rites related to Anseth or death and sorrow. The name Venaoy ("island of veins") is believed to be derived from the dried out temporary riverbeds from torrential rain, giving the appearance of veins on the landscape.

In the 17th century, Storish Vanic interest was brought to the island, and the island was renamed Vanaoy ("island of Vanics") in 1616, with Hurmu religious practices being sidelined and replaced with Vanic rites. Following liberation in the mid 1680s, the name Venaoy was restored.