Alchera |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
Literally, 'dream time.' It is the remote period in time in which the
ancestral spirits of aboriginal tribes walked the earth. These ancestors
are believed to have returned to their abode underground. |
Altjira |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
The sky father of the Aranda tribes of Central Australia |
Anjea |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
An animistic fertility spirit of the aboriginals of Queensland. |
Brolga |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
Her name means "Native Companion." She is honored by the Aborigines of
Australia. A dancer of great fluidity and beauty, she was taken away by
the dancers of nature, the whirlwinds. |
Eingana |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
Mother Eingana, the world-creator, the birth mother, maker of all water,
land, animals, and kangaroos. This huge snake goddess still lives, they
say, in the Dreamtime, rising up occasionally to create yet more life. |
Erathipa |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
A huge boulder in the shape of a pregnant woman bears this name. It is
said that the souls of dead children reside within it, and that if a woman
of child-bearing age walks by a soul slips from the boulder and into her
womb to be reborn. |
Galeru |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
A mythical giant rainbow-snake from Arnhemland in northern Australia.
Galeru is the symbol of the maintenance of life. |
Gnowee |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
The sun goddess of an aboriginal people of southeast Australia. |
Julunggul |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
This rainbow serpent, Julunggul, is a great Goddess of the Aborigines of
Australia. |
Kalseru |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
The northwestern Australian rainbow serpent associated with fertility and
rain. |
Kondole |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
Kondole, the largest of them all, becomes a whale who, ever since, has
spouted water from the spear-wound in his head |
Kunapipi |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
The mother goddess of the aboriginal tribes of northern Australia. She
once travelled across the world with a band of heroes and heroines, and a
rainbow serpent heralded her approach. |
Kutjara |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
Kutjara, with Wati, the two male ancestors of mortals who taught the
people to keep in touch with Dreamtime. |
Makara |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
The Makara are seven sisters who became the constellation Pleiades. |
Mokoi |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
An evil spirit, in the mythology of the Murngin of northern Australia, the
Mokoi is said to strike down a person due to the black magic of a
sorcerer. |
Nogomain |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
The Australian giver of spirit children. |
Pundjel |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
The southeastern Australian creator who made all things, including the
ceremonies. Pundjel figures prominently in the initiation rites of boys. |
Tjilpa |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
The ancestral totemic cat-men of Australia. |
Tjinimin |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
The Australian totemic ancestor. |
Walo |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
The Australian aboriginals called the sun goddess by this name |
Wawalag |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
A pair of fertility goddess of Arnhemland in north Australia. |
Wuriupranili |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
This sun goddess was said to light bark into a torch, carrying the flame
through the sky from east to west. |
Yhi |
Aboriginal |
Aboriginal |
The goddess of light and creator goddess of the Karraur, an Australian
aboriginal group, she lay asleep in the Dreamtime before this world's
creation, in a world of bone-bare, windless mountains. |
Ankotarinja |
Aboriginal |
Aranda |
He is the Dreaming hero who first emerged from the ground to create the
world. |
Karora |
Aboriginal |
Arandan |
The creator, according to the Bandicoot clan of the Arandan aborigines of
Australia. |
Inapertwa |
Aboriginal |
Arunta |
Rudimentary creatures from which two Numbakulla, or self-existing sky
deities, made animals, birds, and plants, which they then formed into
human beings. |
Ulanji |
Aboriginal |
Binbinga |
One of the snake ancestors of the Binbinga of northern Australia, Ulanji
was said to have climbed rocks in order to bite the heads off flying
foxes, and he also took out two of his ribs and his heart. |
Dhakhan |
Aboriginal |
Kabi |
Ancestral spirit of the Kabi tribe of Queensland (north-east Australia).
He is half fish, half snake and when Dhakhan moves himself, he appears in
the sky as a rainbow. The spirit resides in deep water holes. |
Baiame |
Aboriginal |
Kamilaroi |
An ancient sky god and 'father of all things', he was master of life and
death -- the archetypal medicine-man. |
Dilga |
Aboriginal |
Karadjeri |
The earth goddess of the Karadjeri of northwestern Australia, she avenged
the murder of her two sons, Bagadjimbiri, by drowning the killers in her
milk, which at the same time restored her sons to life. |
Bunjil |
Aboriginal |
Kulin/Wurunjerri |
According to the traditions of the Kulin he taught mankind the arts of
life, while the Wurunjerri traditions state that he created mankind. |
Djunkgao |
Aboriginal |
Murngin |
The Djunkgao sisters named on their travels the clan countries and
animals. The sisters are associated with the rainy season floods and the
movements of the ocean. |
Minawara |
Aboriginal |
Nambutji |
One of the two ancestral heroes of the Nambutji tribe of Central
Australia, Minawara and his brother Multultu are kangaroo men, who emerged
from a heap of debris carried by the flood. |
Daramulum |
Aboriginal |
Wiradyuri/Kamilaroi |
He is the intermediary between his father and humans. Daramulum
("one-leg") is associated with the moon, and the one of the sources of
supernatural power accessible to medicine men. |
Sakarabru |
African |
Agni |
God of Medicine, Justice and Retribution |
Rugaba |
African |
Ankore |
An aloof God who rules by spiritual division |
Anotchi |
African |
Asante |
The amazing medicine man who sided with the Asante tribe and, just for
them, brought down an incredible golden stool from the sky. |
Dubiaku |
African |
Asante |
Legendary Hero Kid of the Asante people, and the only mortal to outwit
Death. |
Kabezya |
African |
Baluba |
Part of creation god name |
Imana |
African |
Banyarwanda |
Creator God with very long arms to distance himself from humanity. |
Khodumodurno |
African |
Basuto |
Huge shapeless Evil Demon Creature. |
Alouroua |
African |
Baule |
Creator God of the Baules. All-powerful but extremely shy, no-one knows
what he looks like, and no-one is allowed to know either. |
Ghekre |
African |
Baule |
He judges the souls of the dead |
Orunmila |
African |
Benin |
He's a Spirit of Divinity and Wisdom. |
Bomazi |
African |
Bushongo |
Ancestor-god of the Bushongo |
Nyiko |
African |
Cameroon |
Heroic Spider God. |
Gamab |
African |
Damara |
Supreme Creator God of Life, Death and Seasonal Renewal. |
Abuk |
African |
Dinka |
Garden Goddess. |
Nhialic |
African |
Dinka |
Creator god. God of sky and rain; ruler of other spirits |
Nialith |
African |
Dinka |
God of Sky and Rain. |
Ruwa |
African |
Djaga |
God of the Djaga tribe |
Amma |
African |
Dogon |
Top Dogon Sky God and Creator of the Universe. |
Andumbulu |
African |
Dogon |
Spirit of the Underworld, along with YEBAN. |
Yeban |
African |
Dogon |
Spirit of the Underworld |
Abassi |
African |
Efik |
Nigerian Creator God and Lord of the Sky. |
Atai |
African |
Efik |
Nigerian Creator Goddess and inventor of Deadly Arguments. |
Fa |
African |
Fon |
The far-reaching God of Fate and Destiny. |
Legba |
African |
Fon |
Trickster God of Language and Destiny. |
Azrail |
African |
Hausa |
God of Death among the Hausa people of Tunisia. |
Mukuru |
African |
Herero |
The First Human |
Njambi |
African |
Herero |
Supreme Creator God. He placed the primordial OMUMBOROMBONGA tree upon the
Earth, from which MUKURU, the first human emerged. |
Alla |
African |
Ibo |
Earth Mother Goddess of Fertility and Death. Thus she has a hand in the
beginning of life and its end. |
Chuku |
African |
Ibo |
God of restoration, immortality |
Woyengi |
African |
Ijaw |
A Creator Goddess who came down to Earth on a streak of lightning. |
Cagn |
African |
Kalahari Bushmen |
A Shape-Changing God of many parts and capabilities. |
Biblouk |
African |
Khoikhoi |
Female version of Haiuri |
Gagorib |
African |
Khoikhoi |
A legendary monster who sat by a deep hole in the ground and dared
passers-by to throw rocks at him. The rocks would bounce off and kill the
passer-by, who then fell into the hole (Ga-gorib) |
Gamab |
African |
Khoikhoi |
Supreme god of the Khoikhoi |
Gunab |
African |
Khoikhoi |
God of evil. |
Haiuri |
African |
Khoikhoi |
An agile, jumping creature who is partially-invisible and has only one
side to its body (one arm and one leg). It eats humans and is comparable
to the Tikdoshe of the Zulu people and the Chiruwi of Central Africa. (Hai-uri). |
Heitsi |
African |
Khoikhoi |
Legendary hunter, sorcerer and warrior |
Heitsi Eibib |
African |
Khoikhoi |
Nature and Animal God. |
Tsui |
African |
Khoikhoi |
God of sorcerery and sorcerers. He is also credited with being the god of
rain and thunder. |
Ngai |
African |
Kikuyu |
Creator God. He created the Sky and the Earth, and made animals, plants
and stones. |
Ajok |
African |
Lotuko |
Chief God of the Lotuko tribe. He's also a God of Rain and Resurrection. |
Khuzwane |
African |
Lovedu |
Creator God of the Transvaal. |
Kamunu |
African |
Lozi |
The first human being |
Nyambe |
African |
Lozi |
Creator god, means "he who does not speak". |
Adro |
African |
Lugbara |
The Evil Half of Creator God ADROA. Swam the rivers of the world,
producing evil ADROANZI offspring from a slit in his side |
Adroa |
African |
Lugbara |
Creator god that appeared with both good (tall and white) and evil (short
and black) aspects. |
Adroa |
African |
Lugbara |
A God of Two Halves. In fact he is a Creator God, half good and half evil. |
Adroanzi |
African |
Lugbara |
Nasty sneaky snaky creatures born of ADRO the evil water snake God. |
Kalumba |
African |
Lumba |
Creator God who built a road from Heaven to Earth. |
Were |
African |
Luo |
Supreme Creator God. |
Ajok |
African |
Lutuko |
Chief god; kind and benevolent |
Engai |
African |
Maasai |
Supreme Ruling Sky God of the Maasai people |
Enkai |
African |
Maasai |
Chief diety with dual nature |
Nanyokie |
African |
Maasai |
Reg god; vengeful; part of Enkai |
Narok |
African |
Maasai |
Black god; benevolent; part of Enkai |
Neiterkob |
African |
Maasai |
Minor god; known as the mediator between God and man |
Olapa |
African |
Maasai |
Goddess of the Moon, married to Enkai |
Ndrian |
African |
Malagasy |
The Supreme Creator God. His name means 'Life Comes From Me' |
Faro |
African |
Mande |
Purified the earth by sacrificing himself to atone for his twin Pemba's
sin. |
Evus |
African |
Mitsogo |
Trickster God of Irritation if not Evil in the Bwiti religion-cult. |
Massim Biambe |
African |
Mundang |
God of Reincarnation |
Akongo |
African |
Ngombe |
An all-powerful and benevolent deity, he created humans and tried to live
on Earth with them in harmony. Failed. |
Mbokomu |
African |
Ngombe |
Ancestor Goddess |
Obambou |
African |
Nkami |
A West African Devil, an evil spirit who inhabits people of an insane
disposition. |
Buk |
African |
Nuer |
Goddess of Rivers and Streams, and the source of life. |
Candit |
African |
Nuer |
River Goddess. |
Kwoth |
African |
Nuer |
He is one of those unseen Gods who is everywhere but nowhere. |
Soko |
African |
Nupe |
Supreme God |
Waaqa |
African |
Oromo |
Supreme Omnipotent Monotheistic Creator God of the Oromo people. |
Tore |
African |
Pygmy |
God of Woods, Animals and Hunting. |
Dziva |
African |
Shona |
Creator Goddess. Also known as The Deceiver. |
Mwari |
African |
Shona |
Supreme Creator God from Zimbabwe. He's distant and invisible, but still
cares in a vague philosophical kind of way. |
Minga Bengale |
African |
Shongon |
God of Hunting. |
Badimo |
African |
Tswana |
Ancestral Spirits of the Tswana people, the ghosts of deceased relatives
and long-dead heroes. |
Modimo |
African |
Tswana |
Supreme God of the Tswana |
Chimbwe |
African |
Tumbuka |
Hyena |
Chiuta |
African |
Tumbuka |
All-powerful, omniscient and self-created. He is also a god of rain and
fertility. |
Kalulu |
African |
Tumbuka |
Hare |
Tulu |
African |
Tumbuka |
Tortoise |
Chiuta |
African |
Tunbuka |
Great Bow of Heaven. The Owner of All. The Creator. God |
Oghene |
African |
Urhobo |
Very remote Nigerian Supreme Creator God. |
Anansi |
African |
West Africa |
Spider Trickster God. |
Aigamuxa |
African |
Xhosa |
Man-eating monsters. Eyes are in the soles of their feet. They can't see
you during a chase |
Ga Gorib |
African |
Xhosa |
Demon. He used to sit on the edge of a large pit and taunt people. |
Gaunab |
African |
Xhosa |
The Evil One. Responsible for all misfortune, disease and death. |
Haiuri |
African |
Xhosa |
Half A God. He is only half-there, having one eye, one ear, one arm and
one leg. |
Qamata |
African |
Xhosa |
Top God of the Xhosa people |
Tsui Goab |
African |
Xhosa |
To populate the world, he transformed into all the plants and animals in
turn, shedding his skin like a snake to become the next item. |
Abiku |
African |
Yoruba |
Ravenous People-Eating Demons. Male |
Babalu Aye |
African |
Yoruba |
God of Healing, and one of the ORISHAS |
Bayanni |
African |
Yoruba |
Goddess of a ceremonial headpiece encrusted with cowrie shells. |
Egungun Oya |
African |
Yoruba |
Goddess of Divination. |
Elegua |
African |
Yoruba |
Trickster God of Crossroads, Beginnings and Opportunity. |
Jakuta |
African |
Yoruba |
God of Thunderstorms and Lightning. |
Morimi |
African |
Yoruba |
Goddess of the Bush Burning Ceremony. |
Ochosi |
African |
Yoruba |
God of Hunting and Justice. |
Olodumare |
African |
Yoruba |
Top Sky King of Yoruba mythology in Nigeria. He's God of Peace, Justice |
Orixa |
African |
Yoruba |
Guardian spirits under the collective patronage of top God OLORUN |
Oshe |
African |
Yoruba |
God of Thunder and Lightning |
Oshun |
African |
Yoruba |
Goddess of Love, Creativity and Sensuality. |
Sopona |
African |
Yoruba |
Scarlet-robed God of Smallpox |
Yansan |
African |
Yoruba |
The Yoruba Creator Goddess. |
Yemaya |
African |
Yoruba |
She is the Mother of Waters and Childbirth |
Oduduwa |
African |
Yoruba |
Last minute Creator of Earth |
Shango |
African |
Yoruba |
God of Thunder, Drums and Dance, having been elevated from being a famous
warrior and the fourth King of the Yoruba. |
Chitauli |
African |
Zulu |
God like race arrived from the sky in terrible flying machines shaped like
bowls and that made a great sound and looked like a great fire in the
sky. |
Intulo |
African |
Zulu |
Lizard |
Thixo |
African |
Zulu |
Unkulunkulu is the highest God and is the creator of humanity. Another
name given for the supreme being is uThixo. |
Tikoloshe |
African |
Zulu |
A dwarf-like water sprite, said to be fond of poker. They have only one
arm and one leg, the face of an old man on a boy's body. They are
considered a mischievous and evil spirit. Gouged out eyes. Bites off
sleeping people's toes. |
Uhlanga |
African |
Zulu |
Goddess of the Swamp. |
Aneirin |
Arthurian |
Arthurian |
Northern British bard, mentioned in the Historia Brittonum (one of
several). Most likely lived in the sixth- early seventh century. His most
renowned work is the Gododdin, a string of laments for the nobles killed
at the battle of Catraeth, the culmination of a doomed expedition against
the Angles around 600. He claimed to have been with the troops and was
spared only because of his fine songs. Though elaborated over time and by
scribal addition, the authentic passages are some of the most valuable
specimens of Old Welsh poetry that illustrates the style of composition in
which Arthurian legend began to take form. The work contains an allusion
to Arthur, that if not the result of embellishment, is the earliest know
mention of him by name. |
Avalon |
Arthurian |
Arthurian |
According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, the enchanted isle where Arthur's sword
was forged and where he is conveyed after his last battle to be healed.
Geoffrey calls it Insuls Avallonis which he translates as "isle of
apples," apples no doubt being a paradisal symbol in contrast to the Welsh
Ynys Avallach which supposedly takes it's name from it's lord, Avallach. |
Baraton |
Arthurian |
Arthurian |
In Arthurian romance, the King of Russia. |
Carlisle |
Arthurian |
Arthurian |
Cumbrian city of Roman origin. It managed to exist for years after the
retreat of the Empire. The old name, Luguvallum, is suggestive of a link
to the Celtic god Lugh. The name abbreviated over time with the Welsh
prefix for city, "caer", added. |
Dioneta |
Arthurian |
Arthurian |
The name of two persons mentioned in the fourteenth-century Welsh Birth of
Arthur. The first is a daughter of Gorlois and Igraine, half-sister to
Arthur. The second is a daughter of Gwyar and Lleu (Lot), sister to
Mordred and Gwalchmai |
Elergia |
Arthurian |
Arthurian |
In the Tavola Ritonda a witch who imprisoned King Arthur. He was rescued
by Tristan. |
Ermeleus |
Arthurian |
Arthurian |
In Beaudous, the cousing of Gawain whom Biausdous defeated and sent as a
captive to Arthur. He was the son of the King of Orkney. |
Galahad |
Arthurian |
Arthurian |
Son of Lancelot and Elaine of Corbenic. Pelles the Grail-keeper is her
father. Pelles orchestrates by magical means the sexual encounter between
his daughter and Lancelot by making her appear to him as Guinevere. He
does this in order to insure that the destined Grail-achiever would carry
the blood of Joseph of Arimathea. Upon coming of age, Galahad comes to
court where several signs reveal him to be this destined knight. He is the
only one capable of sitting in the Siege Perilous and he can withdraw a
sword, fixed by Merlin long ago, from a block of stone. |
Guinevere |
Arthurian |
Arthurian |
Arthur's queen. According to Giraldus Cambrensis, the inscribed cross from
the royal grave at Glastonbury named her as Arthur's second wife. Nothing
is known of this first wife. Since the only surviving drawing of the cross
only depicts one side and, presumably, any allusion to the queen was on
the other, the claim of Giraldus is unverifiable. Those who believe Arthur
died and was buried at Glastonbury generally accept that Guinevere was
buried with him. |
Lohengrin |
Arthurian |
Arthurian |
Parzival's son in Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival. He must keep his
identity and history a secret. His wife, the Princess of Brabant, insists
on questioning him and breaks the spell and Lohengrin is borne away by a
great swan. Further treatment can be found in the 13th century German
romance Lohengrin. In Richard Wagner's opera, it is explained that the
Grail gives it's guardians magical powers that depend upon them
maintaining their anonymity. |
Mordred |
Arthurian |
Arthurian |
Traitorous leader of the rebellion that leads to Arthur's downfall.
Originally named Medraut, a legendary and possibly historical Welsh figure
who diasgrees with Arthur and does battle with him at Camlann, with fatal
results for both. However, the Welsh do not make him plotting or evil.
Geoffrey of Monmouth is responsible for the villainous role he assumes in
later medieval literature. Possibly revealing an other than Welsh
influence, Geoffrey changes the name to Modred, a Cornish or Breton name.
Modred is Arthur's nephew who rules jointly with Guinevere during Arthur's
campaign in Gaul. Modred persuades the Queen into an aldulterous affair
and usurps the throne, making peace with the hated Saxons, whom Arthur had
destroyed at Badon.Arthur speeds home and engages him by the River Camel
in Cornwall. The rebellious usurper is killed and Arthur is borne to
Avalon. |
Pharamond |
Arthurian |
Arthurian |
In the Arthurian romances, a Knight of the Round Table, said to have been
the first king of France and have reigned in the early 5th century.
Pharamond was the son of Marcomir and father of Clodion. |
Ryons |
Arthurian |
Arthurian |
A king who, according to the Vulgate Cycle, descended from Heracles. In
Malory, he pursues a custom of trimming his cloak with the beards of his
defeated enemies. When he attempted to add King Arthur's beard to his
collection, the King defeats and kills him, assisted by Balin and Balan. |
Tristan |
Arthurian |
Arthurian |
His name derived from the Pictish Drust or Drostan (though it appears
early in southern Britain), Tristan is best known as the lover of Iseult
due to Wagner's opera, Tristan und Isolde, though his adventures are many
and only somewhat related to the famous love affair. |
Yvain |
Arthurian |
Arthurian |
The son of Urien, King of Rheged. Yvain appears in the Book of Taliesin
and then in The Dream of Rhonabwy, in which he plays a game with Arthur.
In Chrétien de Troyes's Yvain (Le Chevalier au Lion) and the Welsh Owein
he kills a woman's husband, marries her, loses and eventually regains her
love. He also appears in a number of later romances, among which Le Morte
d'Arthur, where his is one of the last knights to die (at Mordred's hand)
before the death of the King himself. |
Acolmiztli |
Aztec |
Aztec |
An Aztec god of the underworld. |
Amimitl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
An Aztec god of lakes and fish hunters. |
Atl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec god of water. |
Atlacoya |
Aztec |
Aztec |
An Aztec goddess of drought. |
Atlatonin |
Aztec |
Aztec |
One of the names of the Aztec mother-goddess. |
Atlaua |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The powerful Aztec water god, called 'lord of the waters'. He is
associated with the arrow |
Ayauhteotl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec goddess of the haze and mist which can be seen at night and
early in the morning. She is associated with vanity and fame. |
Camaxtli |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec god of war, hunting, and fate, and creator of fire. |
Centeotl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec maize god, who appears to have been a maize goddess at an
earlier time. |
Chalchiuhtlicue |
Aztec |
Aztec |
This Aztec Goddess, whose name means "jade skirt" or "lady precious gren",
was matron of lakes and streams. |
Chalchiutotolin |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec god of pestilence. |
Chalmecatl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
An Aztec god of the underworld. |
Chantico |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec goddess of hearth fires and volcanic fires. |
Chiconahui |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec hearth-goddess, and guardian of the household. |
Cipactli |
Aztec |
Aztec |
A primordial sea-monster in Aztec mythology. From this creature, a
fish-like crocodile, the gods created the earth. |
Citlalicue |
Aztec |
Aztec |
"Star Garment". An Aztec creator goddess. She is the consort of
Citlalatonac, and together they created the stars. |
Ciucoatl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
An Aztec goddess of the earth. |
Ciucoatl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
An Aztec goddess of the earth. |
Ciuteoteo |
Aztec |
Aztec |
In Aztec mythology, the Ciuteoteo were spirits of the underworld |
Civatateo |
Aztec |
Aztec |
These Mexican vampires date back to the of the days of the Aztec and are
believed to be the servants of the gods. Thus, they have the magical
powers of a priest. |
Coatlicue |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec earth goddess of live and death, mother of the gods, and mother
of the stars of the southern sky. |
Cochimetl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec god of merchants and commerce. |
Ehecatl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
In Aztec mythology, Ehecatl ("wind") is the god of the winds. |
Huehueteotl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
"The Old God", a god of fire. |
Ilmatecuhtli |
Aztec |
Aztec |
"The Old Princess." An Aztec mother goddess. During her winter festival, a
woman's heart was cut out and the severed head carried during a
procession. |
Itzli |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec stone knife god, and god of sacrifice. |
Itzpapalotl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
"Obsidian butterfly." A local fire-goddess of the Aztecs. |
Ixtlilton |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec god of healing and medicine, as well as feasting and games. |
Malinalxochi |
Aztec |
Aztec |
A sister of Huitzilopochtli, and a sorceress with special powers over
scorpions, snakes and other stinging, biting insects of the desert. |
Metztli |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec moon-god. |
Mextli |
Aztec |
Aztec |
Hundreds of human beings were offered to him annually as sacrifices.
Mexitli was the god of war and storms, and was born fully armed. |
Mictlan |
Aztec |
Aztec |
In Aztec mythology, this is the lowest layer of the underworld, situated
in the north. Every soul, except those of fallen warriors and women who
died giving birth, have to descend to the underworld. |
Mictlantecuhtli |
Aztec |
Aztec |
Mictlantecuhtli ("lord of the realm of the dead") is the ruler of Mictlan,
the lowest layer of the Aztec underworld. |
Mixcoatl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec god of the hunt and war, and god of the polar star |
Nagual |
Aztec |
Aztec |
An Aztec tutelary spirit in the shape of an animal or a plant. Every god
and human has his personal Nagual with whom he shares his fate until
death. |
Nanauatzin |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec god who sacrificed himself in a fire so that the sun should
continue to shine over the world. |
Omacatl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
"Two Reeds". The Aztec god of feasts and joy. |
Omecihuatl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
An Aztec creator goddess. |
Opochtli |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec god of fishing, hunting, and bird snaring. |
Talocan |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The home of the Aztec gods. |
Tepeyollotl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec earth and cave god. He causes earthquakes. |
Tezcatlipoca |
Aztec |
Aztec |
Tezcatlipoca was the Aztec god of night and all material things. |
Tlaloc |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec god of rain, agriculture, fire, and the south. |
Tlaltecuhtli |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec earth monster god. |
Tonacacihuatl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
An Aztec goddess. She is the wife of the creator god Tonacatecuhtli. She
is the female principle. |
Tonantzin |
Aztec |
Aztec |
An Aztec mother-goddess. |
Tonatiuh |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec sun-god, god of warriors. Those who die in his service are
rewarded with eternal life. He presides over the fifth (present) Aztec
world age. |
Tzizimime |
Aztec |
Aztec |
"The-Monsters-Descending-From-Above." The generic name that is given to
the various malevolent stellar deities. |
Xipe Totec |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The mysterious Aztec god of agriculture, spring and the seasons, the
symbol the death and rebirth of nature. |
Xiuhcoatl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec fire-snake and the personification of drought and scorched
earth. |
Xochiquetzal |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec goddess of the earth, flowers, plants, games and dance, but
mainly she is a goddess of love. |
Xocotl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
Xocotl is the Aztec god of fire and of the stars. |
Xolotl |
Aztec |
Aztec |
In Aztec and Toltec mythology, Xolotl is the god of lightning who guides
the dead to the Mictlan. |
Yacatecuhtli |
Aztec |
Aztec |
The Aztec god of travelling merchants. |
Aatxe |
Basque |
Basque |
A Basque evil spirit in the form of a bull, but occasionally in the form
of a human being. At night, especially during stormy weathers, he emerges
from his cave. |
Argiduna |
Basque |
Basque |
In Basque folklore, it is a spirit or imp that is light-like and appears
at night. |
Begizko |
Basque |
Basque |
In Basque folklore, it is an evil force that is usually transmitted using
Betadur (sight power). This is a very common belief spread in several
cultures. |
Betadur |
Basque |
Basque |
According to the Basque beliefs, there is a lot of force in the eyes. A
look can be magical, and it can affect other people. This magic power of
the sight is called Betadur. |
Eguzku |
Basque |
Basque |
She is a very positive and good-willing being, protector of Humans and
terror of the evil spirits. She is particularly powerful against witches,
nocturne spirits and lamia. The Sun is often called "grand-mother", and
always saluted at sunset. As the Moon and the Stars, she travels through
Ostri (the Sky) and at the end of her travel, sinks into Itxasgorrieta
(the Reddish Seas) and from there, deep into the Earth's womb, her mother.
There, the Sun continues its travel through the subterranean dwellings, to
rise again next morning at the other side the planet. Also called Eki,
Eguzki, Iuski, Iguzki, Iduzki or Eguzku. |
Erge |
Basque |
Basque |
A Basque spirit who takes the lives of men. It ends a human terrestrial
life when the right moment has come. |
Etsai |
Basque |
Basque |
A spirit of knowledge in Basque mythology, his name means "devil" or
"fiend". He teaches in a cave, and knows a great deal, but he is feared
because, at the end of his lectures, he requires one of his students to
remain at his service forever. Atarrabi and Mikelats were once his pupils.
At the end of their studentship, Etsai asked Mikelats to stay and serve
him. Atarrabi, the good son of Mari, proposed instead that he should take
his brother's place. Etsai agreed, but was suspicious of his servant, and
thus often called Atarrabi's name. And he would answer "I am here". But in
the meantime, Atarrabi taught a flour weevil to talk and answer for him,
and he managed to escape Etsai's cave |
Gaixtoak |
Basque |
Basque |
Their name means "the Evil Ones". In Basque mythology, they are bad
spirits that possess a person that has fallen victim to a malediction.
They enter his or her body, and send illnesses, melancholy, depression,
sadness, and bad mood. |
Gaizkin |
Basque |
Basque |
A spirit of Basque mythology that causes all illnesses. |
Gaueko |
Basque |
Basque |
"He of the night." It is a male personification of the Night and all its
dangers. If daytime is for the humans and the living, the night is for the
spirits and the dead. Thus Gaueko, when finding a man awaken and out at
night, will warn him against performing some tasks when there is no light,
and will urge him to go home quickly and stay there until sunrise. Nothing
will happen if this person obeys, but if he or she defies or despises the
night, Gaueko will be angered and punish this human. |
Gorritxiki |
Basque |
Basque |
Reddish spirits of Basque folklore that run very rapidly on some
mountains. |
Hodei |
Basque |
Basque |
In Basque mythology, Hodei is the personification of the storm cloud, the
genie of thunder. As such, it is also named Ortzantz or Ozkarri. In some
other legends, Odei is just acknowledged as being the spirit of the
clouds, which, depending on their nature, can be good or bad for people.
Odei's sister is Laino. |
Ieltxu |
Basque |
Basque |
Also named Iritxu, it is a nocturne spirit of Basque folklore that appears
either as a human or as a bird. It is nevertheless immediately
recognisable, because it exhales fire. |
Ilazki |
Basque |
Basque |
Although her image is quite ambiguous, sometimes good, sometimes evil, she
is treated with uttermost respect and called Ilargi-Amandre (Lady Mother
Moon or Grand-Mother Moon), Illazki, Ilargi, Iretargi, Iratargi, Ilargia,
Idargi, Argizagi or Goikoa. Her name means "light of the dead" (hil argia)
as she lits the ghosts of the deceased. She is intimately linked to them,
and them to her. Thus, to die when the moon was close to the first quarter
was considered as a good omen for the afterwards life, because the soul of
the departed would grow with the orb. The Moon has also a great influence
on plants and trees, and some should or should not be cut or collected,
depending on Ilazki's phase. |
Intxixu |
Basque |
Basque |
Small demons of Basque folklore. |
Itsaso |
Basque |
Basque |
The Sea in Basque mythology, it is an evil feminine being that attracts
all the water to her. |
Itxasgorrieta |
Basque |
Basque |
Literally, it means "the Reddish Seas". In Basque mythology, it is the
place where the Sun disappears at sunset to return to the Earth and start
its travel into the subterranean world. |
Jain Goikoa |
Basque |
Basque |
The Basque seem not to have had an elaborate mythology, but they did
believe in a universal god, Jain Goikoa. He created the three principles
of life: Egia, the light of the spirit; Ekhia, the sun, the light of the
world; and Begia, the light of the body. There is no evidence of an
extensive cosmogony such as that of the Indo-Europeans. |
Laminak |
Basque |
Basque |
Basque fairies, related to the Celtic little people. The Laminak live
underground in beautiful castles. |
Mozorro |
Basque |
Basque |
Imp used by Men to reach their aim or do some tasks. |
Oaztargi |
Basque |
Basque |
One of the personifications of lightning in Basque folklore. |
Ortzadar |
Basque |
Basque |
Also named Ostadar or Ortzeder, it is the Personification of the rainbow
in Basque mythology. This spirit is mostly a guide for the soul of people.
When a person dies, the soul escapes the body and, using the rainbow as a
ladder, reaches the Moon. From there, the soul is transformed into rain
that will eventually fall on the land. Then, the soul will reincarnate. |
Ortzantz |
Basque |
Basque |
Odei as thunder sprite. |
Ozkarri |
Basque |
Basque |
Odei as thunder sprite. |
Sakre |
Basque |
Basque |
In Basque folklore, it is a bad genie that possesses a person that has
been cursed and hurts him or her. It is also known has "Birao", and
sometimes is allusive only to the malediction itself. |
Tartaro |
Basque |
Basque |
A Cyclop-like being from Basque folklore. It is usually described as a
giant having one eye in the middle of his forehead. At other times he
appears as a great hunter or shepherd living in the mountains. Yet in a
few other stories, Tartaro is simply a grotesque animal. |
Tronagarru |
Basque |
Basque |
In Basque mythology, they are the spirits of the hurricanes that come from
the sea. |
Tximistarri |
Basque |
Basque |
One of the personifications of lightning in Basque folklore. |
Zezengorri |
Basque |
Basque |
Adult reddish bull genie that, according to Basque mythology, lives in
subterranean dwellings and guards them. |
Zuberoa |
Basque |
Basque |
In Basque mythology, she is the feminine equivalent of the Basajaun. Yet,
she is not to be mistaken with the Basa andere, which is the Basajaun's
wife. |
Andraste |
Celtic |
Britain |
The goddess of war in Celtic Britain. In 61 CE, the leader of a rebellion
against the Roman occupation -- Queen Boudicca (Latin: Boadicea) --
sacrificed captive Roman women to this goddess. |
Brigantia |
Celtic |
Britain |
The Celtic (British) tutelary goddess of the Brigantes in Yorkshire and
the goddess of the rivers Braint and Brent, which were named after her.
Brigantia was also a pastoral goddess associated with flocks and cattle.
During the Roman occupation she was associated with the Roman goddess
Caelestis as Caelestis Brigantia. |
Condatis |
Celtic |
Britain |
A River god of Celtic Britain, personification of water. |
Coventina |
Celtic |
Britain |
The Celtic (Britain) goddess of water and springs. She was known locally
in the area of Carrawburgh (Roman Brocolitia) along Hadrian's Wall. She
personified a holy spring that had healing powers. |
Setlocenia |
Celtic |
British |
"Goddess of long life; long-lived one." An early British goddess of minor
importance who was invoked at Maryport, Cumberland. She seems to be
similar conceptually with the Irish goddess Búanann. |
Agrona |
Celtic |
Celtic |
The Cetic goddess of strife and slaughter. The river Aeron in Wales is
named after her. |
Ancamna |
Celtic |
Celtic |
A water goddess from Continental Celtic mythology. |
Cethlion |
Celtic |
Celtic |
The prophetess of the Fomorians who warned of their impending doom at the
hands of the Tuatha Dé Danann. |
Creidhne |
Celtic |
Celtic |
Creidhne was the god of metal working. One of the trio of craft-gods of
the Tuatha Dé Danann, as were Goibniu and Luchta. |
Cyhiraeth |
Celtic |
Celtic |
The Celtic goddess of streams. She later entered folklore as a spectre
haunting woodland streams. Her shriek was said to foretell death (see:
Banshee). |
Grannus |
Celtic |
Celtic |
The continental Celtic god of healing, associated with mineral springs.
The center of his cult was Aquae Granni (Achen, Germany). His consort is
the fertility goddess Sirona. The Romans identified Grannus with their
Apollo. |
Leucetios |
Celtic |
Celtic |
A Continental Celtic god of thunder. |
Macha |
Celtic |
Celtic |
One of three aspects of the Morrigan, goddess of war. Macha feeds on the
heads of slain enemies. |
Maponos |
Celtic |
Celtic |
The Celtic god of youth. |
Morrigan |
Celtic |
Celtic |
The Morrigan is a goddess of battle, strife, and fertility. Her name
translates as either "Great Queen" or "Phantom Queen," and both epithets
are entirely appropriate for her. The Morrigan appears as both a single
goddess and a trio of goddesses. The other deities who form the trio are
Badb ("Crow"), and either Macha (also connotes "Crow") or Nemain
("Frenzy"). The Morrigan frequently appears in the ornithological guise of
a hooded crow. She is one of the Tuatha Dé Danann ("Tribe of the goddess
Danu") and she helped defeat the Firbolg at the First Battle of Mag
Tuireadh and the Fomorians at the Second Battle of Mag Tuireadh. |
Nemetona |
Celtic |
Celtic |
The Celtic goddess of sacred groves or shrines (nemeton, "shrine"). |
Ogyruan |
Celtic |
Celtic |
The Celtic god of bards. Father of Gwenhwyar. |
Rhiannon |
Celtic |
Celtic |
Rhiannon (her name is either "Maid of Annwn" or a variant of Rigatona,
"Great Queen"), a version of the horse-goddess Epona and of sovereignity.
She was mistress of the Singing Birds. She appeared to Pwyll, lord of
Dyfed, as a beautiful woman in dazzling gold on a white horse. Pwyll sent
his fastest horsmen after her, but could not catch her. On the third day,
he spoke and she told him she wanted to marry instead of her espoused
husband Gwawl. Pywll was to meet her in a year and a day. |
Saone |
Celtic |
Celtic |
A Celtic river deity. |
Tamesis |
Celtic |
Celtic |
The Celtic goddess of fresh waters. Her name survives in the English River
Thames and in Tamise, a French name for the Schelde (Scheldt). |
Uathach |
Celtic |
Celtic |
Uathach ("terrible one") is the daughter of Scathach and fellow teacher at
her school for warriors. When she meets the hero Cuchulainn, she
immediately fancies him, but is put off by her mother, who wants him first
for herself. When she makes advances to him, stroking his hair, Cuchulainn
gets angry and breaks one of her fingers. Cochor Crufe, one of Scathach's
warriors, tries to avenge her, but is slain by Cuchulainn. Scathach treats
Cuchulainn like a servant because of this, but Uathach nevertheless
teaches Cuchulainn a "cles" (special martial feat) named "leap of the
salmon" which he can use to enter the yew where Scathach trains her sons
in secret martial arts, under the condition of getting her mother to grant
and fulfill three wishes, one of them being to marry her. |
Andarta |
Celtic |
France |
A Gallic warrior and fertility goddess in Celtic France. |
Cenn Cruaich |
Celtic |
Gaelic |
A Gaelic heaven-god, akin to Zeus. |
Deirdre |
Celtic |
Gaelic |
In Irish Gaelic literature, folklore, and mythology, a legendary heroine.
Deirdre, who was renowned for her beauty, was brought up by Conchobar,
King of Ulster, who planned to marry her. However, she fell in love with
his nephew Noíse and they fled to Scotland, accompanied by his two
brothers. Emissaries of the king induced them to return to Ireland, and
when they did, Conchobar had the three brothers treacherously killed.
Deirdre then died of grief. |
Alisanos |
Celtic |
Gaul |
A local god in Gaul who is mentioned in inscriptions found in the Côte
d'Or (central France). Attempts have been made to identify him as a
mountain-ash god or a god of rowan trees. The ancient Gaulish city of
Alesia, now called Alise-Sainte-Reine, may well be connected with him. |
Belenus |
Celtic |
Gaul |
Belenus is the Gaulish/Celtic god of light, and referred to as 'The
Shining One'. His cult spread from northern Italy to southern Gaul and
Britain. Belenus is in charge of the welfare of sheep and cattle. His wife
is the goddess Belisama. They can be compared with the continental Apollo
and Minerva, but Belenus can also be identified with the Irish god Bile.
His festival is Beltine ("Fire of Bel"), celebrated on May 1. On this day,
purifying fires were lit and cattle driven between them before being
allowed out onto the open pastures. |
Belisama |
Celtic |
Gaul |
The Gaulish/Celtic goddess of light and fire, the forge and of crafts. She
is the wife of the god Belenus. |
Camulus |
Celtic |
Gaul |
A Gaulish war god mentioned by the Romans, who associated them with Mars.
He gave his name to the Roman town of Camulodunum (Colchester). |
Luxovius |
Celtic |
Gaul |
The Gaulish god of the waters of Luxeuil. Consort of Bricta. |
Segomo |
Celtic |
Gaul |
The Gaulish (Continental Celtic) god of war and victory. |
Sirona |
Celtic |
Gaul |
The Gaulish goddess of astronomy, and goddess of the Mosel Valley. |
Taranis |
Celtic |
Gaul |
"Thunder". The thunder-god of ancient Gaul, and master of the sky. He may
be compared to the Roman Jupiter, although his place in the Celtic
pantheon was not as prominent as that of Jupiter in the Roman pantheon.
His attribute is the wheel, which could be the symbol of thunder. The
Romans described as receiving human sacrifices. |
Teutates |
Celtic |
Gaul |
Teutates is an ancient Celtic god who was worshipped especially in Gaul.
He is the god of war, fertility, and wealth. His name means "the god of
the tribe", from the Gallic touta which means "tribe" or "people" (similar
to the Celtic tuatha). Teutates is also known under the names of Albiorix
("king of the world") and Caturix ("king of the battle"). Human sacrifices
were made to appease him. He is the equivalent of the Roman god Mars. |
Vosegus |
Celtic |
Gaul |
The Gaulish god of the Vosges Forest in France. |
Turiacus |
Celtic |
Grovi |
The god of power of the Grovi people (a people from the historical
Portuguese province of Entre Douro e Minho). |
Abarta |
Celtic |
Irish |
An Irish/Celtic god, a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann. |
Achtan |
Celtic |
Irish |
The Irish heroine who bore Cormac, the king. |
Aimend |
Celtic |
Irish |
An Irish sun-goddess. |
Airitech |
Celtic |
Irish |
An Irish creature of the Otherworld whose three daughters took on the
shape of werewolves, but they were eventually killed by the warrior Cas
Corach. |
Balor |
Celtic |
Irish |
In the Celtic-Irish mythology, Balor is the god of death and the king of
the Fomorians, a race of giants. He was the son of Buarainech and the
husband of Cethlenn. Balor had only one eye, which he kept closed because
anything he looked at would die instantly. |
Bronach |
Celtic |
Irish |
An Irish goddess of cliffs. |
Cessair |
Celtic |
Irish |
A great magician, she became the first queen of Ireland. She and her band
of female followers inhabited the land after the Great Flood. |
Cu Roi |
Celtic |
Irish |
A sorcerer from Irish myth who was able to transform himself into various
guises. |
Dagda |
Celtic |
Irish |
The Irish-Celtic god of the earth and treaties, and ruler over life and
death. Dagda, or The Dagda, ("the good god") is one of the most prominent
gods and the leader of the Tuatha Dé Danann. He is a master of magic, a
fearsome warrior and a skilled artisan. Dagda is a son of the goddess Danu,
and father of the goddess Brigid and the god Aengus mac Oc. The Morrigan
is his wife, with whom he mates on New Years Day |
Fianna |
Celtic |
Irish |
Also known as the Champions of the Red Branch, Fianna Éireann, and the
Fenians. The Fianna were a legendary army of Irish warriors serving under
the Ard Righ, or "High King", of Ireland. Many of their exploits are
documented throughout the Fenian Cycle which took place circa the 3rd
century CE. One of two Celtic classes of fighters, they lived in the
borderlands, fighting in large groups. They obeyed only their own laws and
those of the High King. Their last and greatest leader was Finn mac
Cumhail, also know as Finn mac Cool, who was later glorified as an Irish
hero. |
Goibniu |
Celtic |
Irish |
An Irish/Celtic smith god, son of the goddess Danu. He manufactures swords
that always strike true, and he possesses the mead of eternal life. He
makes the arms for the Tuatha Dé Danann together with Credne and
Luchtainel. As a brewmaster he was unsurpassed and his beer gave the
drinker immortality. The Welsh called him Govannon. |
Lasair |
Celtic |
Irish |
In Irish mythology, Lasair ("Flame") is the eldest of three sisters, a
goddess triad representing the growing, ripening and harvesting of crops.
Lasair, goddess of the spring budding, has beautiful long black hair and
wears a silver crown, silver jewelry and armbands. She lives in a Red
Castle (another reminder of her fiery nature) with an orchard. The god
Flann brought her the Rose of Sweetness that never withers, the Comb of
Magnificence, and the Girdle of Truth. She is alternately named Lassar
Fhína, Lasairíona (the latter two meaning "flaming wine") or Crobh Dearg
(Red Claws). Later on, she became a Christian saint and her well is at
Lough Meelagh, Ireland. Her feast day is May 1st, the old Bealtaine
festival. Her sisters are called Inghean Bhuidhe and Latiaran. The three
goddesses are said to be daughters of Douglas and Scáthach. |
Murigen |
Celtic |
Irish |
A minor Irish lake goddess, probably another form of the Morrigan. |
Niamh |
Celtic |
Irish |
Niamh is the daughter of Manannan Mac Lir, the sea god. She was the queen
of Tir na n-Og, the Land of Eternal Youth. She fall in love with the great
bard Oisin (Ossian) and she went to Ireland across the sea on her magic
horse, to take Oisin with her. The horse, named Embarr ("imagination"),
could run on the waves, so soon the young lady arrived on the west coast
of Ireland. |
Tethra |
Celtic |
Irish |
In Irish myth, king of the Fomorians, as well as the sea god and god of
the otherworld. He was killed in the first battle of Mag Tuireadh. Since
then he rules Mag Mell. |
Tlachtga |
Celtic |
Irish |
Tlachtga ("Earth-Spear"), is the daughter of the blind druid/sun god Mog
Ruith and Dron, and sorceress or patronness of druidic skills. She belongs
to the race of the Firbolg. She learns all her magic from her father and
creates several obviously magic items – a rolling wheel for a man named
Trian, the stone of Forcathu, and the famous Cnamhcaill ("Bone damage"),
from a part of her fathers wheel. The stone is said to kill all who touch
it, blind those that look upon it and deafen those that hear it. Some
think it a thunderbolt emerges from the stone, so it would be a magic
weapon which could be used against Mog Ruith's and Tlachtga's enemies. |
Runesocesius |
Celtic |
Lusitanian |
Runesocesius is the Lusitanian god of darts. |
Arnemetia |
Celtic |
Roman |
A goddess who was worshiped in Roman times at Aquae Arnemetiae, the
present-day Buxton Spa (north-west Derbyshire). Her name is connected with
nemeton, "sacred grove." |
Abnoba |
Celtic |
Romano |
Romano-Celtic forest and river goddess (Black Forest area). Source of the
English river name "Avon" and its cognates in continental Europe. Also
goddess of the hunt (similar to the Roman Diana). |
Cailleach |
Celtic |
Scotland |
Cailleach is referred to as the "Mother of All" in parts of Scotland. Also
known as Scotia, she is depicted as an old hag with the teeth of a wild
bear and boar's tusks. She is believed to be a great sorceress. |
Dia Griene |
Celtic |
Scotland |
The daughter of the sun in ancient Scotland. She appears in a folktale in
which, held captive in the Land of the Big Women, she is freed by the
Cailleach, disguised as a fox, and a helpful young bumbler named Brian. |
Scathach |
Celtic |
Scotland |
Scathach ("the shadowy one"), is a warrior queen and mistress of a school
for young warriors. The school is located in Scotland on the island of
Skye, reputedly named after Scathach; other sources say she's living in
the Alps. She initiates young men into the arts of war, as well as giving
them the "friendship of her thighs", that is to say, initiating them
sexually. She grants three wishes to the hero Cuchulainn, because her
daughter Uathach, being in love with him, has told him how to make her do
it. The three wishes are to train him in the arts of war, to marry her
daughter Uathach and to tell his fortune which she does by using imbas
forosnai ("charm of the palms"), party foretelling the events of the Tain
Bo Cuailgne (Cattle Raid of Cooley) in dark terms. |
Amaethon |
Celtic |
Welsh |
The Welsh god of agriculture, son of the goddess Don. He is directly
responsible for the war between the deities of the underworld, led by
Arawn, and the Children of Don. In the Battle of the Trees (Battle of Cath
Godeau) Amaethon's brother Gwydion transformed trees into warriors with
whose help the deities of the underworld were defeated. |
Avalloc |
Celtic |
Welsh |
Found in Welsh pedigrees as the father of the goddess Modron. His own
status is unclear. He is occasionally mentioned as the king of the
otherworldly kingdom of Avalon. |
Govannon |
Celtic |
Welsh |
The Welsh smith god, the equivalent of the Irish Goibniu. Govannon is a
son of the goddess Don and the brother of Gwydion and Amaethon. He slew
the sea god Dylan, not knowing who he was. |
Hafgan |
Celtic |
Welsh |
In Welsh mythology, Hafgan battled with Arawn for the dominion of the
underworld. When Arawn traded places with Pwyll for a year and a day,
Pwyll defeated Hafgan at the end of this period. |
Modron |
Celtic |
Welsh |
A Welsh goddess, daughter of Avalloc, derived from the Celtic goddess
Matrona. She is regarded as a prototype of Morgan (from Arthurian
Legend). |
Dha Shi Zhi |
Chinese |
Buddhist |
A female bodhisattva of Chinese Buddhism, whose name means "the
Strongest". Through the power of her love she managed to break the circle
of rebirth for everyone. |
Er Lang |
Chinese |
Buddhist |
A Chinese guardian god who dispels evil spirits by setting the Hounds of
Heaven (the Tian-gou) on them. |
We Duo |
Chinese |
Buddhist |
The Chinese Buddhist divine general of the ruler of the southern
hemisphere. He is represented as a young soldier in splendid armor. |
Fan Kui |
Chinese |
Chinese |
Fan-kui is the Chinese god of butchers. |
Fei Lian |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese god of the wind, which he carries in a bag. He is a
trouble-stirrer, but he is kept in check by Shen Yi, the heavenly archer. |
Feng Huang |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese phoenix and the personification of the primordial force of the
heavens. Feng-huang has the head and the comb of a pheasant and the tail
of a peacock. |
Fu Xing |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese god of Happiness, one of the San-xing. He is most frequently
portrayed in the blue clothes of a civil servant and in the company of
children, or in his symbolic form of a bat. |
Gao Yao |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The ancient Chinese god of judgment. On his quest for injustice he is
accompanied by a ram. He is also known as Ting-jian. |
Geong Si |
Chinese |
Chinese |
Jiang Shr (Putonghua) or Kuang Shi (Cantonese) are the zombies of Chinese
myth. They have physical bodies, but they are not alive, nor have they
will or thought. They are closer to Haitian zombies than to anything else
in widely-known Western folklore. |
Gong De Tian |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese goddess of luck. In her left hand she holds a
'wish-fulfilling' pearl. With her right hand she makes a gesture of
boldness. She shows many similarities with the Hindu goddess Lakshmi. |
Gou Mang |
Chinese |
Chinese |
A messenger of the Chinese sky-god. Gou Mang is associated with the east,
and he brings spring and happiness. The dragon is his attribute. |
Gui |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese term for the spirits of the dead, formed of the negative yin
components of a person's soul (i.e., the po souls) after death. Literally:
ghost, spirit, demon. |
Gui Xian |
Chinese |
Chinese |
One of the Ling, the four Chinese magical beings. The turtle Gui Xian is a
symbol of happiness. |
Hac Tao |
Chinese |
Chinese |
"Black Way" is the literal translation of Hac Tao. It is easy to render
this phrase as "black magic," since this area of folklore (or spiritual
technology) has much in common with Western magic. Hac Tao is the generic
name for the whole range of dirty tricks of Chinese spiritualism: healing,
cursing, fertility and barrenness spells and the making and counteracting
of poisons, or at least very bad luck. |
Heng O |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese moon goddess, symbol of the cold and dark principle yin. |
Hou Tu |
Chinese |
Chinese |
Chinese God of Earth and Soil; Sovereign Earth. He is part of the imperial
cult. |
How Chu |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese god of the air. |
Hu Jing De |
Chinese |
Chinese |
A Chinese guardian god, one of the Men-shen. He was originally a general
from the Tang Dynasty. |
Huang Chuan |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Underworld to which yin souls return after death. It is traditionally
believed to be a watery place, situated in the north. Literally "yellow
springs". |
Huang Fei Hu |
Chinese |
Chinese |
Originally a Chinese earth-god in the shape of a one-eyed bull with the
tail of a snake. Later he became a mountain-god who rules the holy
mountain of Tai Shan in eastern China. He judges the souls of the deceased
who come to this mountain. |
Huang Lao Jun |
Chinese |
Chinese |
An important deity of early Taoism and main god of the Way of Supreme
Peace (dai-bing dao). He was regarded by the common people as the ruler of
the world who descends to Earth to guide and assist mankind. |
Ji Nu |
Chinese |
Chinese |
A Chinese stellar goddess. |
Jian Lao |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese god of the earth and permanence. |
Jiang Shr |
Chinese |
Chinese |
Jiang Shr (Putonghua) or Kuang Shi (Cantonese) are the zombies of Chinese
myth. They have physical bodies, but they are not alive, nor have they
will or thought. They are closer to Haitian zombies than to anything else
in widely-known Western folklore. |
Jin Jia |
Chinese |
Chinese |
One of several patrons of Chinese literature. He punishes wicked scholars,
and waves a flag before the homes of families whose descendants will high
honor in the Imperial Examinations. |
Ki Lin |
Chinese |
Chinese |
A mythical being of Chinese mythology, comparable with the western
unicorn. Ki-lin personifies all that is good, pure, and peaceful. It lives
in paradise and only visits the world at the birth of a wise philosopher. |
Kuang Shi |
Chinese |
Chinese |
Jiang Shr (Putonghua) or Kuang Shi (Cantonese) are the zombies of Chinese
myth. They have physical bodies, but they are not alive, nor have they
will or thought. They are closer to Haitian zombies than to anything else
in widely-known Western folklore. |
Kui Xing |
Chinese |
Chinese |
A stellar deity often found in the company of Wen-chang. He is responsible
for issuing official testimonials. |
Kun Lun |
Chinese |
Chinese |
A mountain range in Western China, believed to be a Taoist paradise. It is
one of the ten continents and three islands in Taoist cosmology, and is
said to be three (or nine) stories high. Whoever manages to climb to the
top gains access to the heavens. |
Lan Cai He |
Chinese |
Chinese |
One of the Chinese Ba Xian. He is dressed in rags, wears a belt made of
black wood, and wears a boot on one feet while the other one is bare. In
summer he would wear a thick overcoat but dress lightly in winter. His
breath is like hot steam. |
Lei Zi |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese goddess of thunder. She taught the Chinese the art of breeding
silkworms. She is the consort of Huang-di. |
Lu Ban |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese patron of carpenters. |
Lu Xing |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Star of Honor or Status. A stellar deity, one of the San-xing. He is
also known as Guan-xing (Star of State Officials). |
Ma Mian |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese bureaucrat of the underworld. He has a partner called Ao-tao
("Ox head"). |
Men Shen |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The two gods in syncretistic Chinese folk religion who guard the double
doorway of a domestic dwelling or public building. |
Mo Hi Hai |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese god of water. |
Mu King |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese god of fire. |
Nu Gua |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese creator goddess who created the first humans from yellow
earth, after Heaven and Earth had separated. |
Pan Jin Lian |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese goddess of fornication and prostitution. |
Peng Zi |
Chinese |
Chinese |
A figure in Chinese mythology that represents longevity. |
Qin Shu Pao |
Chinese |
Chinese |
A Chinese guardian god of the double doorway, one of the Men-shen. |
Ru Shou |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The messager of the sky-god, similarly to Gou Mang. Ru Shou is associated
with the west, autumn and misfortune. The dragon is his attribute. |
Shachihoko |
Chinese |
Chinese |
A Chinese sea monster that has the head of a tiger and the body of a fish.
The body is covered with poisonous spikes. On land it can transform itself
into a tiger. A representation of the Shachihoko was used in medieval
Japan as a gargoyle. |
She Di |
Chinese |
Chinese |
Chinese patronesses who guard certain large areas and its inhabitants. |
Shen Nung |
Chinese |
Chinese |
A figure from Chinese mythology said to have invented the plow and taught
man the art of agriculture as well as the cultivation of forests. |
Shen Yi |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese sun god. When the earth was scorched by the heat of ten suns,
he shot nine with his arrows and became the ruler of the remaining one. |
Shou Xing |
Chinese |
Chinese |
A stellar deity, one of the San-xing. His name means "Star of Longevity",
and he has an enormously high bald head. He supports himself on a knotty
staff. In his hand he holds the peach of immortality. Symbolically he is
represented as a mushroom or a turtle. |
Shui Guan |
Chinese |
Chinese |
One of the San-guan. Shui-guan is the Ruler of Water. He helps the
believer to overcome obstacles. All three rulers keep a register of the
good and evil deed of people. |
Si Ming |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The "Lord of Fate", who determines the life span of each individual. He
keeps a register of the transgressions and omissions of mankind, of which
he informs Tai-yi, the Supreme One, at the same time asking him to
lengthen or shorten the life span of the individual accordingly. He has
two books, the Book of Death, containing the names of all who must die,
and the Book of Live, those of the immortals. |
Song Di |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The king of the Third Hell of Chinese myth. Here people are punished who
were guilty of unfilial behavior, disobedience, disloyalty, and rebellion.
He is honored on the eighth day of the Second Moon. |
Ssu Ling |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Ssu Ling are the four spiritual creatures of Chinese myth. These
creatures are the Ch'i-lin, the Feng-huang, the tortoise Gui Xian, and the
dragon Long. |
Sun Pi |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese god of cobblers. |
Tai Sui Xing |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese god of time and the planets. His name means 'Star of the Big
Year', referring to the planet Jupiter (with an orbital period of twelve
years). |
Tai Yi |
Chinese |
Chinese |
"The Supreme One", also known as Da-yi "the Great One". During the Han
Dynasty, Tai-yi was venerated as part of the triad of the three ones (San-yi)
and became a personified deity. |
Tian Di |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The conventional expression to designate the universe. It means literally
"Heaven and Earth". |
Tian Guan |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Ruler of Heaven and one of the three rulers, the San-guan. He bestows
wealth and good luck. All three rulers keep a register of the good and
evil deed of people. |
Tian Hou |
Chinese |
Chinese |
Tian Hou (Tin Hau in Cantonese), literally Empress of the Sky, is a
goddess said to protect fishermen. Many temples in her honor can be found
along the coastline of China where there are, or were, fishing
communities. |
Tian Mu |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese goddess of lightning whose name means "Mother of Lightning". |
Wei Cheng |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese deity who guards the back door of domestic dwellings and
public buildings. A former minister of emperor Tang Tai-zong, Wei Cheng is
far less popular as a guardian of doorways then the Men-shen. |
Wei Tuo |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The protector of the teaching. Often found in the company of Guan-yin. |
Wen Chang |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The popular Chinese Taoist god of literature and writing, invoked by
scholars to assist them in their labors. He is especially venerated by
people who require help with their entrance examinations for an official
career. |
Wu Guan |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The king of the fourth Chinese hell, the hell of the Lake of Blood. Here
the counterfeiters and cheats are punished. His day is the 18th of the
Second Moon. |
Yan Lo |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The god of the dead, lord and judge of the Fifth Hell. Punishment in this
hell is the memory of things past. Yan-lo is completely identical to the
Hindu god of death, Yama. |
Yang Jing |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese Goat God. Peasants in the mountainous regions make sacrifices
to Yang Jing for protection against wild animals. He is depicted with a
goat's head worn like a bonnet and a goatskin. |
Yao Shi |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese Buddha who is dedicated to saving lives, healing wounds and
curing diseases. |
Yi Ti |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese god of wine. |
Yu Qiang |
Chinese |
Chinese |
A Chinese sea god and god of the ocean winds. As the god of the sea he
assumes the shape of a fish and he rides on two dragons; as the god of the
wind he has the body of a bird and a human face. |
Zao Jun |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The "Lord of the Hearth", an immensely popular hearth and kitchen deity in
Chinese folk religion. He is also the protector of the family. |
Zhang Xian |
Chinese |
Chinese |
"Chang the Immortal". In popular Chinese belief, Zhang Xian bestows male
offspring. As a rule, he is accompanied by his son who carries in his arm
the boy-child whom Zhang Xian bestows on those who believe in him. |
Zhi Song Zi |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese lord of the rain. |
Zhong Kui (2) |
Chinese |
Chinese |
In Chinese myth, he is the god of literature and examinations, the
protector against evil spirits and demons. He belongs to the Gui Xian (a
classification of demons) because he committed suicide when he failed to
reach the first place in the exams. His attribute is a sword with which he
wards off poisonous animals such as snakes and scorpions. |
Zhu Rong |
Chinese |
Chinese |
In Chinese mythology, Zhu Rong is the god of fire and the ruler of the
southern hemisphere. |
Zi Yu |
Chinese |
Chinese |
The Chinese divine inventor of war and weapons. He was usually depicted as
ox-headed. |
Ba Xian |
Chinese |
Taoist |
The "eight immortals" from Taoist mythology, and among the best known
deities. They are the symbols for good fortune throughout China. They
represent eight different conditions of life: youth, old age, poverty,
wealth, the populace, nobility, the masculine, and the feminine. |
Bixia Yuanjin |
Chinese |
Taoist |
This Chinese Taoist Goddess is responsible for dawn and childbirth, as
well as destiny. Dawn and childbirth are two concepts often, and quite
understandably, linked in world mythology: the rising of the sun, the
bringing of light to the earth, is equated with the child emerging from
the darkness of the womb to the light of the world. |
Cai Shen |
Chinese |
Taoist |
The Chinese god of prosperity, both of religious Taoism and in the
syncretist folk religion. He has various magical powers, such as warding
off thunder and lightning, and ensuring profit from commercial
transactions. |
Cheng Huang |
Chinese |
Taoist |
Chinese protective deities. They ward off disasters and catastrophes and
protect the inhabitants of cities under their care, who may also
supplicate them. In periods of drought, they provide rain. They grant
plentiful harvest and ensure the affluence of the citizens. |
Chu Jiang |
Chinese |
Taoist |
The king of the second of the Taoist hells, the hell of thieves and
murderers. It is believed to be a large lake of ice. |
Di Guan |
Chinese |
Taoist |
The Ruler of the Earth in religious Taoism. One of the three San-guan. He
plays an important part in the religious life of the Chinese. Di-guan
forgives sins and transgressions. |
Dou Mu |
Chinese |
Taoist |
The Chinese goddess who supervises the register in which the life and
death of each person is recorded. She is venerated by those who wish a
long life and personal compassion. Her name means "Mother of the Great
Wagon". |
Guan Di |
Chinese |
Taoist |
"Emperor Guan", the Taoist god of war. He opposes all disturbers of the
peace. He is charged with the task of guarding the realm against all
external enemies, as well as internal rebels. |
Lei Gong |
Chinese |
Taoist |
The Chinese god of thunder, whose name means "Thunder Duke". In the Taoist
pantheon Lei-gong is an official in the Ministry of Thunder, which forms a
part of the celestial administration. |
Mu Gong |
Chinese |
Taoist |
The Chinese Taoist god of immortality and 'Lord of the East'. He is the
embodiment of Yang (the male element). |
Peng Lai |
Chinese |
Taoist |
In Taoism, the island in the East China Sea believed to be inhabited by
immortals (Xian). The island epitomizes bliss, because this is where the
legendary mushrooms of immortality grow. |
San Qing |
Chinese |
Taoist |
"The three pure ones". The name of the three Taoist heavens and the three
deities inhabiting them. |
Shou Lao |
Chinese |
Taoist |
The ancient Chinese Taoist god of long life and luck. Shou-lao is the
popular name of Shou-xing, the stellar deity of longevity. |
Tian Zong |
Chinese |
Taoist |
The title accorded to the highest deities of Taoism, literally "celestial
venerable". The most important Tian-zong are the Celestial Venerable of
the Primordial Beginning (Yuan-shi tian-zong), the Celestial Venerable of
the Magic Jewel (Ling-pao tian-zong), and the Celestial Venerable of the
Tao and the Te (Tao-de tian-zong). Yu-huang, the Jade emperor, is also
venerated as Tian-zong. |
Xi Wang Mu |
Chinese |
Taoist |
The Chinese goddess of immortality and the personification of the feminine
element yin. The Taoist Xi Wang-mu is referred to as the 'Royal Mother of
the West', and rules over the western paradise of the immortals. |
Xian |
Chinese |
Taoist |
A being who has attained physical immortality in religious Taoism. A Xian
is no longer subject to the "world of dust" and is a master in various
magical skills. |
Yu Huang |
Chinese |
Taoist |
The "Jade Emperor" of Chinese mythology. He is one of the most important
deities of folk religion and religious Taoism. He personally determines
all that happens in Heaven and on Earth, and for this purpose he has an
enormous celestial administration at his disposal. |
Yu Ren |
Chinese |
Taoist |
Literally "feather men". In ancient times, the feather men were flying
immortals (see Xian), whose bodies were covered with a coat of feathers.
Now it is an alternative designation for a Taoist priest. |
Zhong Kui |
Chinese |
Taoist |
The Chinese Taoist god of the afterlife, and a god of exorcism. His
Japanese equivalent is Shoki. |
Alpan |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
The Etruscan goddess of love and the underworld. She belongs to the Lasas
and is usually portrayed naked. |
Artume |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
The Etruscan goddess of night and death, but also the personification of
growth in nature. She can be compared with the Greek Artemis. |
Cautha |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
The Etruscan sun god, also known as Cath. He is generally depicted as
rising from the ocean. |
Charontes |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
Etruscan demons of death. The name suggests a connection to the Greek
Charon and his Etruscan equivalent Charun. |
Charun |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
The Etruscan demon of death who torments the souls of the deceased in the
underworld. He also guards the entrance to the underworld. He is similar
to the Greek Charon. Charun is portrayed with the nose of a vulture,
pointed ears and is usually winged. His attribute is the hammer, with
which he finished off his victims. |
Culsu |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
The Etruscan demoness who guards the entrance to the underworld. Her
attributes are a torch and scissors. |
Februus |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
The Etruscan god of the underworld and also a god of purification. The
month of February, his sacred month, was named after him. |
Feronia |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
An Etruscan goddess of fire and fertility. |
Laran |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
The Etruscan god of war. He is depicted as a naked youth wearing a helmet
and carrying a spear. |
Lasa |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
In Etruscan myth, they are female deities and the guardians of graves.
They are often found in the company of Turan, the goddess of love. The
Lasa are sometimes portrayed with wings, but also without. Their
attributes are mirrors and wreaths. |
Mantus |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
An Etruscan god of the underworld, associated with the city Mantua (the
current Mantova). |
Menrva |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
The Etruscan version of the Greek Athena, and portrayed similarly (with
helm, spear, and shield). Just like Athena, Menrva was also born from the
head of a god, in this case Tinia. She is part of triad with Tinia and
Uni. She is the predecessor of the Roman goddess Minerva. |
Nortia |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
The Etruscan goddess of fate and fortune. Her attribute is a large nail
and at the beginning of the New Year a nail was driven into a wall in her
sanctuary. This is variously explained as a fertility rite, an expiation
rite, or symbolizing the conclusion of the year just past. Her temple was
located in Volsini, the center of the Etruscan federation (currently the
Italian city Bolsena). |
Thesan |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
The Etruscan goddess of the dawn, and the patroness of childbirth. She
shows some similarities with the Roman Aurora. |
Tuchulcha |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
An Etruscan demoness of the underworld. It is a horrible, winged creature
with snake-hair and the beak of a bird. |
Turms |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
The Etruscan god who guides the deceased to the underworld. He is the
messenger of the gods and, like his Greek equivalent Hermes, he wears
winged shoes and carries a heralds' staff. |
Uni |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
The supreme goddess of the Etruscan pantheon. She is the goddess of the
cosmos, and the city goddess of Perugia. Together with her husband Tinia
and the goddess Menrva she forms a triad. Her son is the hero Hercle
(clearly Hercules / Heracles). Uni is identical to the Greek Hera and the
Roman Juno. |
Vanth |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
The Etruscan female demon of death who lives in the underworld. With the
eyes on her wings she sees all and is omni-present. She is a herald of
death and can assist a sick person on his deathbed. Her attributes are a
snake, torch and key. |
Voltumna |
Etruscan |
Etruscan |
Voltumna, also known as Veltha, is a chthonic god of the Etruscans, later
elevated to the status of supreme god. He is also the patron god of the
federation of twelve Etruscan city states. The center of his cult was in
Volsini. The Romans named him Vertumnus. |
Anahit |
European |
Armenian |
The goddess of fertility and birth (analog to Aphrodite), beauty and water
in Armenian mythology. In early periods she was the goddess of war. |
Aramazd |
European |
Armenian |
Father of all gods and goddesses, the creator of heaven and earth. |
Astghik |
European |
Armenian |
Armenian goddess of love, beauty, and water. |
Vahagn |
European |
Armenian |
A god worshiped anciently and historically in Armenia. |
Aatxe |
European |
Basque |
A Basque evil spirit in the form of a bull, but occasionally in the form
of a human being. |
Adur |
European |
Basque |
In Basque mythology, it is the name given to the mystical, transcendental
force or power that unites all real objects. |
Akerbeltz |
European |
Basque |
From the Basque language "aker" (male goat), and "beltz" (black). He
protects against illnesses and evil spirits and he sends beneficial force
fluxes to animals placed under its protection. |
Argiduna |
European |
Basque |
In Basque folklore, it is a spirit or imp that is light-like and appears
at night. |
Atarrabi |
European |
Basque |
Also called Axular, he is good-willing and protective. There is a star
linked to him. |
Basa Jaun |
European |
Basque |
A benign wood spirit of the Basque, whose name means "lord of the woods".
He protects the flocks and herds against predators and thunderstorms. |
Beigorri |
European |
Basque |
Red cow genie that, according to Basque mythology, lives in caves and
gorges and guards them. |
Betadur |
European |
Basque |
According to the Basque beliefs, there is a lot of force in the eyes. A
look can be magical, and it can affect other people. This magic power of
the sight is called Betadur. |
Ekaitz |
European |
Basque |
Not much is known about this Basque númen, except that it is very evil. |
Erditse |
European |
Basque |
A mother goddess of Pan-Mediterranean culture. The Basques venerated her a
goddess a maternity. |
Erge |
European |
Basque |
A Basque spirit who takes the lives of men. It ends a human terrestrial
life when the right moment has come. |
Etsai |
European |
Basque |
A spirit of knowledge in Basque mythology, his name means "devil" or
"fiend". |
Euri |
European |
Basque |
In Basque mythology, it is the spirit of the rain. It is a very positive
being, a bringer of life both as enhancer of crops and as vector for the
reincarnation of the soul. |
Gaixtoak |
European |
Basque |
Their name means "the Evil Ones". In Basque mythology, they are bad
spirits that possess a person that has fallen victim to a malediction.
They enter his or her body, and send illnesses, melancholy, depression,
sadness, and bad mood. |
Gaizkin |
European |
Basque |
A spirit of Basque mythology that causes all illnesses. |
Gauargi |
European |
Basque |
Nocturne being of the Basque folklore that appears as a light. |
Gaueko |
European |
Basque |
"He of the night." It is a male personification of the Night and all its
dangers. |
Gorritxiki |
European |
Basque |
Reddish spirits of Basque folklore that run very rapidly on some
mountains. |
Hodei |
European |
Basque |
In Basque mythology, Hodei is the personification of the storm cloud, the
genie of thunder. |
Ieltxu |
European |
Basque |
Also named Iritxu, it is a nocturne spirit of Basque folklore that appears
either as a human or as a bird. It is nevertheless immediately
recognisable, because it exhales fire. |
Ilazki |
European |
Basque |
Although her image is quite ambiguous, sometimes good, sometimes evil, she
is treated with uttermost respect and called Ilargi-Amandre (Lady Mother
Moon or Grand-Mother Moon), Illazki, Ilargi, Iretargi, Iratargi, Ilargia,
Idargi, Argizagi or Goikoa. Her name means "light of the dead" (hil argia)
as she lits the ghosts of the deceased. |
Intxixu |
European |
Basque |
Small demons of Basque folklore. |
Itsaso |
European |
Basque |
The Sea in Basque mythology, it is an evil feminine being that attracts
all the water to her. |
Itxasgorrieta |
European |
Basque |
Literally, it means "the Reddish Seas". In Basque mythology, it is the
place where the Sun disappears at sunset to return to the Earth and start
its travel into the subterranean world. |
Laino |
European |
Basque |
Sister of Odei, she is the personification of fog in Basque animism. A
very evil being, she usually hides in caves, waiting for an occasion to
emerge. |
Lamia |
European |
Basque |
A water sprite or mermaid in Basque stories. She has none of the
malignancy of the conventional Lamia of classical mythology. |
Laminak |
European |
Basque |
Basque fairies, related to the Celtic little people. The Laminak live
underground in beautiful castles. |
Maide |
European |
Basque |
This is a bad genie from the Basque folklore that usually enters a house
through the chimney. Once inside, the spirit will destroy everything, so
the only way to prevent its intrusion is to keep the fire burning all the
time. |
Maju |
European |
Basque |
The Basque divine spirit of thunder whose encounters with his consort Mari
cause terrible thunderstorms or hailstorms. |
Mari |
European |
Basque |
The supreme and foremost goddess of the Basque pantheon. She is the
goddess of thunder and wind, the personification of the Earth. |
Mozorro |
European |
Basque |
Imp used by Men to reach their aim or do some tasks. |
Numen |
European |
Basque |
Plural, Númenes. In northern Spain, but mostly in Basque country, it is a
generic name that applies to all sprites and spirits or supernatural
beings. |
Oaztargi |
European |
Basque |
One of the personifications of lightning in Basque folklore. |
Orko |
European |
Basque |
A Basque thunder god. |
Ortzadar |
European |
Basque |
Also named Ostadar or Ortzeder, it is the Personification of the rainbow
in Basque mythology. This spirit is mostly a guide for the soul of
people. |
Ortzantz |
European |
Basque |
Odei as thunder sprite. |
Ostots |
European |
Basque |
Personification of thunder in Basque mythology, he is often merged with
Maju, Mari's wife. |
Ostri |
European |
Basque |
The Sky primitively in Basque mythology, he became later an equivalent of
Heaven. |
Ozkarri |
European |
Basque |
Odei as thunder sprite. |
Patuek |
European |
Basque |
Imp used by Men to reach their aim or do some tasks. |
Tartaro |
European |
Basque |
A Cyclop-like being from Basque folklore. It is usually described as a
giant having one eye in the middle of his forehead. At other times he
appears as a great hunter or shepherd living in the mountains. Yet in a
few other stories, Tartaro is simply a grotesque animal. |
Torto |
European |
Basque |
One of the most horrible of the Basque spirits. Torto is a flesh-eating
creature with only one eye in the center of his forehead. He abducts young
people, cuts them to pieces and eats them. |
Tronagarru |
European |
Basque |
In Basque mythology, they are the spirits of the hurricanes that come from
the sea. |
Tximistarri |
European |
Basque |
One of the personifications of lightning in Basque folklore. |
Ur |
European |
Basque |
In Basque mythology, it is the personification or spirit of Water. |
Zezengorri |
European |
Basque |
Adult reddish bull genie that, according to Basque mythology, lives in
subterranean dwellings and guards them. |
Aiatar |
European |
Estonian |
A female demon, Devil's daughter |
Aike |
European |
Estonian |
Thunder |
Ebajalg |
European |
Estonian |
Demonic whirlwind |
Ehaema |
European |
Estonian |
Mother Twilight, a nocturnal spirit or elf, encouraging spinning |
Eksitaja |
European |
Estonian |
An evil spirit who makes people lose their way in a forest or a bog |
Haldjas |
European |
Estonian |
Tthe Ruler elf, fairy, protector spirit of some place, person, plant or
animal |
Hamarik |
European |
Estonian |
Personification of dusk, a beautiful young maiden |
Hiid |
European |
Estonian |
A giant |
Hiiela |
European |
Estonian |
Another world, land of the dead |
Hiis |
European |
Estonian |
A holy grove |
Hoidja |
European |
Estonian |
Protector |
Ilmasepp |
European |
Estonian |
A mythical blacksmith who forged among other things the Sun and the Moon |
Juri |
European |
Estonian |
God of agriculture |
Jutta |
European |
Estonian |
Queen of the birds, daughter of Taara |
Juudaline |
European |
Estonian |
Demon |
Kaabas |
European |
Estonian |
Grave, death spirit |
Kaevukoll |
European |
Estonian |
Bogeyman of the well |
Kaitsja |
European |
Estonian |
Protector |
Kalm |
European |
Estonian |
Grave; spirit of a dead person; ruler of the land of the dead |
Kodukaija |
European |
Estonian |
A restless visitant ghost |
Koit |
European |
Estonian |
Personification of Dawn, a young man, eternal lover of Hämarik |
Koll |
European |
Estonian |
Bogey |
Kolumat |
European |
Estonian |
Bogeyman |
Kou |
European |
Estonian |
Thunder; son of Uku, brother of Pikker |
Kratt |
European |
Estonian |
A demon who stole and brought food, money and other worldly goods to its
maker and owner in the form of a whirlwind or meteor-like tail of fire |
Kulmking |
European |
Estonian |
A spirit of an unholy dead |
Laurits |
European |
Estonian |
God of fire |
Lendva |
European |
Estonian |
An illness sent by an evil witch |
Libahunt |
European |
Estonian |
Werewolf |
Lummutis |
European |
Estonian |
Ghost, wraith |
Majauss |
European |
Estonian |
Domestic grass-snake, protector spirit |
Manala |
European |
Estonian |
Land of the dead |
Marras |
European |
Estonian |
Spirit of death, predictor of death |
Mart |
European |
Estonian |
God of fertility |
Metsik |
European |
Estonian |
A fertility god |
Murueit |
European |
Estonian |
A female spirit of forest and earth, connected to the land of the dead |
Painaja |
European |
Estonian |
Nightmare, incubus |
Pisuhand |
European |
Estonian |
Tail of fire, treasure-bringing goblin |
Sarvik |
European |
Estonian |
A horned demon, a devil |
Surm |
European |
Estonian |
Death |
Taht |
European |
Estonian |
Star |
Tonn |
European |
Estonian |
God of the crops and pigs |
Tont |
European |
Estonian |
Ghost |
Toonela |
European |
Estonian |
Land of the dead |
Tuulispea |
European |
Estonian |
Whirlwind |
Tuuslar |
European |
Estonian |
A sorcerer living in Finland |
Uku |
European |
Estonian |
The supreme god |
Ahti |
European |
Finnish |
God of the depths, giver of fish. |
Ajattara |
European |
Finnish |
Evil forest spirit |
Akras |
European |
Finnish |
The god of fertility and the protector of plants, especially the turnip. |
Ilmatar |
European |
Finnish |
Female spirit of air; the daughter of primeval substance of creative
spirit. Mother of Väinämöinen in Kalevala. |
Jumala |
European |
Finnish |
A generic name for a major deity |
Kullervo |
European |
Finnish |
Tragic antihero. Model for Túrin Turambar in Tolkien's Silmarillion. |
Kuu |
European |
Finnish |
God of Moon. |
Lempo |
European |
Finnish |
Originally a fertility spirit, became synonymous with demon in the
Christian era. Evil fiend was also the ancient Finnish god of wilderness
and archery |
Louhi |
European |
Finnish |
The matriarch of Pohjola, hostess of the Underworld. |
Loviatar |
European |
Finnish |
The blind daughter of Tuoni and the mother of Nine diseases. |
Nakki |
European |
Finnish |
The fearsome spirit of pools, wells and bridges. Same as Nix. |
Perkele |
European |
Finnish |
The Devil. Originally Perkele was not the Devil but a god of thunder and
can be seen as an earlier form of Ukko. |
Pohjola |
European |
Finnish |
Its name is derived from the word pohjoinen meaning the compass point
north. |
Surma |
European |
Finnish |
The personification of a violent death. |
Tapio |
European |
Finnish |
The god of the forest. |
Tuonela |
European |
Finnish |
Land of the dead |
Tuoni |
European |
Finnish |
The personification of Death. |
Tursas |
European |
Finnish |
The Tavastian god of war. May be same as the Norse Tyr and the Germanic
Tîwaz. |
Ukko |
European |
Finnish |
The god of the sky and thunder (old man), related to Thor (Estonian Taara). |
Ukko |
European |
Finnish |
God of sky and thunder. Weapon was a hammer, axe or sword |
Vellamo |
European |
Finnish |
The wife of Ahti, goddess of the sea, lakes and storms. A current image of
Vellamo can be seen on the coat of arms of Päijänne Tavastia. |
Baba |
European |
Hungarian |
A beastly old women, and has negative qualities. Although it had magical
abilities, it was not a witch. It was thought to live in fountains, and if
young children went close to its place, it lured them in. |
Boszorkany |
European |
Hungarian |
A hostile, harm-doing, supernatural old lady, the witch. She had an
ability to transform, fly and curse. |
Bubus |
European |
Hungarian |
Spirit. A small being that lives in caves. |
Fene |
European |
Hungarian |
The demon of illness. |
Griff |
European |
Hungarian |
Also known as griffin in Western Europe, but without special features. |
Guta |
European |
Hungarian |
A fearsome Hungarian demon who beats his victims to death, often
associated with strokes, heart attacks, or sudden paralysis. |
Hadur |
European |
Hungarian |
Short for Hadak Ura, meaning "War Lord" or "Army Lord" and was the war god
in the religion of the early Hungarians. |
Liderc |
European |
Hungarian |
A ghostly, mysterious creature with several different appearances, its
works are always malicious. |
Napkiraly |
European |
Hungarian |
Meaning "King of the Sun", he is the Hungarian sun god |
Ordog |
European |
Hungarian |
Ruler of the underworld. |
Sarkany |
European |
Hungarian |
Unconventional dragon. He is always man-shaped, can ride a horse, and has
usually 7 heads, sometimes 3, 12 or 21. Dragons usually symbolised human
behaviour or characteristic, ie. when the hero was fighting with him, he
was fighting to overcome his own bad behaviour, habit or characteristic. |
Szelkiraly |
European |
Hungarian |
Meaning "King of the Wind", he is the Hungarian god of wind and rain |
Turul |
European |
Hungarian |
The great bird that was sent forth by Isten to guide the creation and
destiny of the Magyar people. |
Vadleany |
European |
Hungarian |
Meaning "Forest Girl", she is an elusive forest sprite who seduces
shepherds, saps their strength and makes the forest rustle. She is usually
nude and her long hair reaches the ground. She can sometimes be lured and
caught with a pair of boots. |
Alsvart |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Alsvid |
European |
Norse |
Horses that pulled Sol's chariot (i.e. the Sun). ("all-swift") |
Anar |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse dwarves |
Arvak |
European |
Norse |
Horses that pulled Sol's chariot (i.e. the Sun). ("early-riser") |
Balder |
European |
Norse |
God of radiance and rebirth |
Beinvid |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Bestla |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Bolthorn |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Dokkalfar |
European |
Norse |
A "black elf" Male ancestral spirits who may protect the people, although
some can be menacing, especially when one is rude to them. |
Draupnir |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse dwarves |
Durnir |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Dvalinn |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse dwarves |
Dvergar |
European |
Norse |
Norse term for dwarf |
Einherjar |
European |
Norse |
Spirits of warriors who had died bravely in battle |
Eld |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Fenrir |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Forseti |
European |
Norse |
God of justice |
Freyja |
European |
Norse |
Goddess of fertility, love, beauty, magic, and death |
Freyr |
European |
Norse |
God of fertility and prosperity |
Gandalfr |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse dwarves |
Ganglati |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Geirrod |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Gilling |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Ginnarr |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse dwarves |
Glaumar |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Gloinn |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse dwarves |
Grer |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse dwarves |
Grimnir |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Gunnlod |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Gymir |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Hardverk |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Hastigi |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Heidrek |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Heimdall |
European |
Norse |
Watchman and guardian |
Heiorun |
European |
Norse |
A goat in Norse mythology, which produces mead for the einherjar. |
Hel |
European |
Norse |
The underworld goddess |
Herkir |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Holgabrud |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Hrímfaxi |
European |
Norse |
Horse of Nótt (night). |
Hrimgerd |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Hrokkvir |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Idun |
European |
Norse |
Goddess of youth |
Imgerd |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Jarnvidja |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Jotunn |
European |
Norse |
Norse term for giant |
Kyrmir |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Leirvor |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Lindworm |
European |
Norse |
In modern Scandinavian languages, the cognate lindorm can refer to any
'serpent' or monstrous snake. |
Margerd |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Miogaror |
European |
Norse |
World of humans |
Mjollnir |
European |
Norse |
Hammer of Thor. Simply means "crusher" referring to its pulverizing
effect. |
Morn |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Myrkrida |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Nal |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Niflheimr |
European |
Norse |
World of the primordial element of ice. |
Odin |
European |
Norse |
Chief god, of wisdom and war |
Ogladnir |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Oskrud |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Ratatosk |
European |
Norse |
Red squirrel who runs up and down with messages in the world tree
Yggdrasill and spreads gossip. |
Rungnir |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Salfang |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Sif |
European |
Norse |
Golden-haired wife of Thor |
Sigrun |
European |
Norse |
A Valkyrie |
Skalli |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Skaoi |
European |
Norse |
Goddess of snow and winter |
Skinfaxi |
European |
Norse |
Horse of Dagr (day) |
Skirvir |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse dwarves |
Skogul |
European |
Norse |
A Valkyrie |
Starkad |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Svarang |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Svartalfar |
European |
Norse |
Black elf |
Svivor |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Thjazi |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Thor |
European |
Norse |
God of thunder and battle |
Thurbord |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Ullr |
European |
Norse |
God of hunting, a tracker and archer |
Valhalla |
European |
Norse |
Home for those slain gloriously in battle |
Vali |
European |
Norse |
The avenger |
Vanargand |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Vardrun |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Varulf |
European |
Norse |
Werewolf |
Vidar |
European |
Norse |
God of silence, stealth, and revenge |
Vindsval |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Vornir |
European |
Norse |
One of the norse giants |
Academus |
Greek |
Greek |
A hero from Attica. A sacred area (northwest of Athens) dedicated to him
was called the Academy. Plato founded his school there, and his students
where called academics. |
Achelois |
Greek |
Greek |
A moon-goddess (she who drives away pain) to whom sacrifice was ordered by
the Dodonian Oracle. |
Acidalia |
Greek |
Greek |
An epithet of Aphrodite, named after the spring with the same name in
Boeotia, where she used to bathe. |
Adrasteia |
Greek |
Greek |
"She whom none can escape". Properly an epithet of Rhea Cybele in her
attribute of the Mother who punishes human injustice, which is a
transgression of the natural right order of things. The Greeks and Romans
identified her with Nemesis. |
Aegis |
Greek |
Greek |
A protective device that was originally associated with Zeus, but also,
and later solely, with Athena. It is variously considered to be a
bright-edged thundercloud (because when Zeus used it lightning flashed and
thunder sounded) fashioned by Hephaestus, or the skin of the divine goat
Amaltheia. It is represented as a sort of cloak, sometimes covered with
scales and fringed with serpents, and with the head of Medusa fastened in
the middle. The Aegis could also serve as a shield and in that fashion
Athena wears it upon her breastplate. |
Aeolus |
Greek |
Greek |
Custodian of the four winds. A minor deity, he is the son of a king called
Hippotes, and lived on one of the rocky Lipara islands, close to Sicily.
In the caves on this island were imprisoned the winds, and Aeolos,
directed by the higher gods, let out these winds as soft breezes, gales,
or whatever the higher gods wished. Being visited by the Greek hero
Odysseus, Aeolos received him favorably, and on the hero's departure
presented Odysseus with a bag containing all the adverse winds, so that
his friend might reach Ithaca with a fair wind. Odysseus did as Aeolos
bid, but in sight of his homeland, having been untroubled by foul weather,
he fell asleep and his men, curious, opened the bag, thus releasing all
the fierce winds, which blew their ship far off course (Odyssey X, 2;
Vigil I, 52). |
Agelasta |
Greek |
Greek |
The stone on which Demeter rested when wearied in the search for her
daughter Persephone. |
Aglaulus |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek mythology, the daughter of Cecrops, sister of Herse and Pandrosus.
When the city of Athens was once under siege for a very long time,
Aglaulus voluntarily hurled herself from the Acropolis, because an oracle
had spoken that through such a sacrifice the city would be saved. In her
temple young Athenian men who were called for service made the oath to
guard their fatherland. |
Alastor |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek mythology, Alastor is an avenging demon, associated with blood
feuds between families, and the Greek term for an avenging power that
visits the sins of the fathers on their children. It is also an evil
genius of a house that leads a man to commit crimes and sin. He was
originally a mortal, the son of Neleus, king of Pylos. He became a (minor)
demon when he and his brothers were slain by Heracles. |
Alecto |
Greek |
Greek |
Alecto was one of the Erinyes or Furies in Greek mythology. The Furies
were three avenging deities. Their names were Tisiphone (the avenger of
murder), Megaera (the jealous one), and Alecto (unceasing in anger). When
Cronus killed Uranus, his blood fell on Gaia and created the Furies. |
Alectrona |
Greek |
Greek |
An early goddess who was a daughter of the sun |
Alectryon |
Greek |
Greek |
A Greek youth who Ares posted as a guardian by the door when he visited
Aphrodite. Alectryon fell asleep during the night so that their lovemaking
was discovered by Helios. As punishment, the boy was turned into a cock
which since then never stops to announce the arrival of the sun. |
Alpheus |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek myth, Alpheus is a river deity, son of Oceanus and Tethys. He
fell madly in love with the Nereid Arethusa and pursued her under the sea
to Sicily. Here she pleaded to Artemis who changed her into a fountain.
The river Alpheus then worked its way underground to mingle with the
waters of Arethusa. |
Anaxarete |
Greek |
Greek |
A girl from Cyprus who was loved greatly by the shepherd Iphis. She
reacted so cooly to his passionate love for her that he killed himself.
When she was not even moved by seeing his dead body, the goddess Aphrodite
turned her into stone. |
Antaeus |
Greek |
Greek |
Antaeus was the son of Gaia and Poseidon. He was a frightful giant who
compelled all strangers to wrestle with him and defeated or killed them
all. He was invincible for as long as he remained in contact with his
mother (the Earth) for she supplied him with strength. Heracles discovered
his secret and lifted Antaeus from the ground and strangled him. The
battle with Heracles is depicted on many Greek vases and even on coins. |
Antheia |
Greek |
Greek |
A Crete goddess. Antheia was the goddess of vegetation, lowlands,
marshlands, gardens, blossoms, the budding earth, and human love. |
Aphrodite |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek mythology, Aphrodite is the goddess of love, beauty and sexual
rapture. According to Hesiod, she was born when Uranus (the father of the
gods) was castrated by his son Cronus. Cronus threw the severed genitals
into the ocean which began to churn and foam about them. From the aphros
("sea foam") arose Aphrodite, and the sea carried her to either Cyprus or
Cythera. Hence she is often referred to as Kypris and Cytherea. Homer
calls her a daughter of Zeus and Dione. |
Apollo |
Greek |
Greek |
The son of Zeus and Leto, and the twin brother of Artemis. Apollo was the
god of music (principally the lyre, and he directed the choir of the
Muses) and also of prophecy, colonization, medicine, archery (but not for
war or hunting), poetry, dance, intellectual inquiry and the carer of
herds and flocks. He was also a god of light, known as "Phoebus" (radiant
or beaming, and he was sometimes identified with Helios the sun god). He
was also the god of plague and was worshiped as Smintheus (from sminthos,
rat) and as Parnopius (from parnops, grasshopper) and was known as the
destroyer of rats and locust, and according to Homer's Iliad, Apollo shot
arrows of plague into the Greek camp. Apollo being the god of religious
healing would give those guilty of murder and other immoral deeds a ritual
purification. Sacred to Apollo are the swan (one legend says that Apollo
flew on the back of a swan to the land of the Hyperboreans, he would spend
the winter months among them), the wolf and the dolphin. His attributes
are the bow and arrows, on his head a laurel crown, and the cithara (or
lyre) and plectrum. But his most famous attribute is the tripod, the
symbol of his prophetic powers. |
Arachne |
Greek |
Greek |
Arachne was gifted in the art of weaving. Not only were her finished
products beautiful to look at, but the very act of her weaving was a sight
to behold. Nymphs were said to abandon their frolicking to come observe
Arachne practice her magic. So remarkable were her works that observers
often commented that she must have been trained by the very patron goddess
of weaving, Athena herself. Arachne scoffed at this. She was disgusted at
being placed in an inferior place to the goddess and proclaimed that
Athena herself could not do better than her. |
Ares |
Greek |
Greek |
The Greek god of war and battle and the instigator of violence, a son of
Zeus and Hera. Because of his cruel and war-like nature he was despised by
all the gods, even his own father disliked him. Ares could be bloody,
merciless, fearful and cowardly and possessed no moral attributes. He was,
however, unable to withstand the loveliness of Aphrodite, who subsequently
became his consort. Ares was of giant stature and had a loud voice, and
surpassed the other gods in speed. |
Aristaeus |
Greek |
Greek |
An ancient Greek pastoral deity, the son of Apollo and the nymph Cyrene,
but also Uranus is mentioned as his father. Aristaeus was made immortal by
Gaia. He is the patron of the hunt, agriculture, cattle, and especially
bee-culture. Aristaeus also taught mankind how to cultivate olives. |
Artemis |
Greek |
Greek |
The daughter of Leto and Zeus, and the twin of Apollo. Artemis is the
goddess of the wilderness, the hunt and wild animals, and fertility (she
became a goddess of fertility and childbirth mainly in cities). She was
often depicted with the crescent of the moon above her forehead and was
sometimes identified with Selene (goddess of the moon). Artemis was one of
the Olympians and a virgin goddess. Her main vocation was to roam mountain
forests and uncultivated land with her nymphs in attendance hunting for
lions, panthers, hinds and stags. Contradictory to the later, she helped
in protecting and seeing to their well-being, also their safety and
reproduction. She was armed with a bow and arrows which were made by
Hephaestus and the Cyclopes. |
Asia |
Greek |
Greek |
A Greek sea-nymph and the daughter of Oceanus and Tethys. The continent of
Asia was named after her. Asia was occasionally regarded as the wife of
Iapetus but according to other she was the wife of Prometheus (Herodotus
IV, 45). |
Astraea |
Greek |
Greek |
Astraea ("the star-maiden") is the daughter of Zeus and Themis. She was,
as was her mother, a goddess of justice. During the Golden Age, when the
gods dwelled among mankind, she lived on the earth. When evil and
wickedness increased its grip on humanity, the gods abandoned the
habitations of mankind. Astraea was the last to leave and took up her
abode among the stars where she was transformed into the constellation
Virgo. |
Athena |
Greek |
Greek |
Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, war, the arts, industry, justice and
skill. She was the favorite child of Zeus. She had sprung fully grown out
of her father's head. Her mother was Metis, goddess of wisdom and Zeus'
first wife. In fear that Metis would bear a son mightier than himself.
Zeus swallowed her and she began to make a robe and helmet for her
daughter. The hammering of the helmet caused Zeus great pain in the form
of headaches and he cried out in agony. Skilled Hephaestus ran to his
father and split his skull open and from it emerged Athena, fully grown
and wearing her mother's robe and helmet. She is the virgin mother of
Erichthnonius. |
Auxesia |
Greek |
Greek |
A Greek goddess of growth, but probably an epithet of Demeter. Often
venerated together with Damia. |
Balius |
Greek |
Greek |
One of two immortal horses that Poseidon gave to Peleus as a wedding
present. See: Xanthus. |
Bia |
Greek |
Greek |
Bia ("force") is the personification of power and force, daughter of
Pallas and Styx. She is the sister of Nike, Cratos, and Zelus. Bia was
made to bind Prometheus as punishment from stealing fire from the gods. |
Boreas |
Greek |
Greek |
The Greek god of the North Wind who lived in Thrace. He is depicted as
being winged, extremely strong, bearded and normally clad in a short
pleated tunic. He is the son of Eos and Astraeus, and the brother of
Zephyrus, Eurus and Notus. |
Brizo |
Greek |
Greek |
Brizo is known as a charmer, and a soother. In Greek mythology, she is a
goddess worshipped at Delos and honored by women as the protector of
mariners. Food offerings were set before the goddess in little boats (no
fish). Brizo presided over an oracle that was consulted on matters
relating to navigation and fishing. Her answers were given in dreams. |
Brontes |
Greek |
Greek |
One of three Cyclopes, a fierce giant with one eyes in the center of his
forehead, in Greek Mythology. In Hesiad, a the brother of Arges and
Steropes and child of Uranus of Gaia. Brontes was thrown into the lower
world by his other brother, Cronus, a first (after Cronus dethroned
Uranus) he was released by Zeus and in gratitude, he gave Zeus the gifts
of thunder and lighting. He always possessed the weapon of thunder. He was
a very powerful and destructive creature. |
Caduceus |
Greek |
Greek |
The herald's staff or wand of Hermes. It is usually depicted as a winged
rod with two serpents intertwined about it. As a group of fertility
symbols, it is emblematic of the magic potency of the deity, and of the
prosperity of peace. |
Calliope |
Greek |
Greek |
The eldest and most distinguished of the nine Muses. She is the Muse of
eloquence and epic or heroic poetry. Calliope ("beautiful voice") is the
mother of Orpheus and Linus with Apollo. She was the arbitress in the
argument over Adonis between Persephone and Aphrodite. Her emblems are a
stylus and wax tablets. |
Callisto |
Greek |
Greek |
Callisto was a nymph (or, according to some sources, the daughter of
Lycaon) who was associated with the goddess of the hunt, Artemis. Young
women who were devoted to the goddess hunted with her regularly, and
remained virgins, like Artemis herself. Callisto had upheld these ideals
faithfully, and she quickly became Artemis' favorite. |
Castalia |
Greek |
Greek |
A Greek nymph loved by Apollo. She fled from him and jumped in the spring
at Delphi, at the base of mount Parnassos, which was then named after her.
The water of this spring was sacred and served for the cleansing of the
Delphian temple and inspired poets. |
Cayster |
Greek |
Greek |
The god of the river by the same name in Lydia. His son is Ephesus (Periegesis
Hellados VII, 2.8). |
Cecrops |
Greek |
Greek |
A half man and half snake, born from the soil, legendary ancestor of the
Greeks. He was the founder (and first king) of Athens. He taught the
inhabitants to bury the dead, get married and how to read and write. In
his reign Poseidon and Athena contended for the lordship of Attica, and
Cecrops decided in the favor of Athena. The citadel, or Acropolis, of
Athens was named Cecropia in his honor. |
Cedalion |
Greek |
Greek |
A servant of the smith-god Hephaestus. When Orion was blinded by King
Oenopion of Chios for raping his daughter, he went to Lemnos where he
received Cedalion from Hephaestus to be his guide. Carrying Cedalion on
his shoulders, the youth guided Orion and led him to Helios who restored
his sight (Astronomica II, 36). |
Centimani |
Greek |
Greek |
Three giants with a hundred arms each. See Hecatonchires. |
Cerberus |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek mythology, the three-headed watchdog who guards the entrance to
the lower world, the Hades. It is a child of the giant Typhon and Echidna,
a monstrous creature herself, being half woman and half snake. |
Chaos |
Greek |
Greek |
Chaos is from the Greek word Khaos, meaning "gaping void". There are many
explanations as to who or what Chaos is, but most theories state that it
was the void from which all things developed into a distinctive entity, or
in which they existed in a confused and amorphous shape before they were
separated into genera. In other words, Chaos is or was "nothingness."
Though some ancient writers thought it was the primary source of all
things, other writers tell of Gaia (Earth) being born from Chaos without a
mate, along with Eros and Tartarus. Then from Gaia came Uranus (Heaven or
Sky) which gave us Heaven and Earth. |
Charon |
Greek |
Greek |
Charon, in Greek mythology, is the ferryman of the dead. The souls of the
deceased are brought to him by Hermes, and Charon ferries them across the
river Acheron. He only accepts the dead which are buried or burned with
the proper rites, and if they pay him an obolus (coin) for their passage.
For that reason a corpse had always an obolus 1 placed under the tongue. |
Chimera |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek mythology, the Chimera is a monster, depicted as an animal with
the head of a lion, the body of a she-goat, and the tail of a dragon
(sometimes it has multiple heads). It is a child of Typhon and Echidna. It
terrorized Lycia (in Asia Minor), but was eventually killed by the
Corinthian hero Bellerophon. |
Chiron |
Greek |
Greek |
Originally, Chiron was a Thessalian god of healing, but in later Greek
mythology he survived as one of the centaurs. Unlike the others of his
race, Chiron was wise and had an extensive knowledge of the healing arts.
He had been the tutor of, among others, Asclepius, Theseus, and Achilles.
When he was accidentally hit by a poisonous arrow shot by Heracles, Chiron
relinquished his immortality (in favor of Prometheus) in order to escape
the pain by dying. After his death he became the constellation of
Sagittarius. Chiron is regarded as a son of Cronus and Philyra. |
Chronos |
Greek |
Greek |
In the ancient Greek literature, Chronos is the personification of time.
He is usually portrayed as an wise, old man with a long, gray beard
(Father Time). Chronos is often mistaken for the Titan Cronus. |
Corybantes |
Greek |
Greek |
Priests of the Phrygian goddess Cybele. They served the goddess by wild
rituals that resulted in an exceptional state of ecstasy that went so far
they they unmanned themselves. The cult spread through Greece and later
also to Rome, where they were called Galli. |
Corythus |
Greek |
Greek |
The son of Paris and Oenone. To disturb the happiness between Paris and
Helen, Oenone send her son to Helen. Paris did not recognize Corythus and
killed him. |
Cratos |
Greek |
Greek |
Cratos ("strength") is the personification of strength and power. He is
the brother of Nike, Zelus and Bia. Like his other siblings, he is a
constant companion of Zeus. |
Crinisus |
Greek |
Greek |
One of the many Greek river gods. |
Cronus |
Greek |
Greek |
Cronus, the son of Uranus and Gaia and the youngest of the twelve Titans.
His wife was also one of the Titans, since he married his sister Rhea.
Their offspring were Demeter, Hestia, Hera, Hades, Poseidon and Zeus. |
Cychreides |
Greek |
Greek |
A Dracon that was terrorizing the island of Salamis. There are two
versions about how it was defeated. According to Apollodorus, the hero
Cychreus killed the monster, after which he became the king of the island
(Bibliotheke III, 161). Strabo however states that -- according to Hesiod
-- the serpent was reared by Cychreus from which it took its name. It was
driven out by Eurylochus and welcomed to Eleusis by Demeter and made her
attendant (Geography IX, 1.9). |
Cytherea |
Greek |
Greek |
An epithet of Aphrodite, referring to the fact that she rose from the sea
near the island of Cythera, and where she was particularly worshipped. |
Dactyl |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek mythology, they are demons believed to live on Mount Ida in
Phrygia (Asia Minor), or on the Isle of Crete. They were considered to be
the first metallurgists: they discovered iron and the art of working
metals by fire. They belonged to the retinue of the goddess Cybele. The
Dactyls are sometimes identified with the Cabiri, Curetes and Corybantes;
mostly because of the mystery cults that surrounded those groups. Their
name is derived from daktylos ("finger") and is probably based either on
their skill with metals or on their small size. |
Daimon |
Greek |
Greek |
Daimon is the Greek derivative for the term demon. In this sense the term
"demon" means "replete with knowledge." The ancient Greeks thought there
were good and bad demons called 'eudemons' and 'cacodemons.' The term 'daimon'
means "divine power," "fate" or "god." Daimons, in Greek mythology,
included deified heroes. They were considered intermediary spirits between
men and the gods. Good daimons were considered to be guardian spirits,
giving guidance and protection to the ones they watched over. Bad daimons
led people astray. Socrates said he had a life-time daimon that always
warned him of danger and bad judgment, but never directed his actions. He
said his daimon was more accurate than omens of either watching the
flights or reading the entrails of birds, which were two respected forms
of divination of the time. |
Daphne |
Greek |
Greek |
Daphne was the daughter of the river god Peneus. Apollo chased down the
maiden, desperate for her love, but she wanted nothing to do with him, and
she ran from him endlessly. Soon, she grew weary in her running and that
Apollo would ultimately catch her. Fearful, she called out to her father
for help. As all gods of water posses the ability of transformation,
Peneus transformed his daughter into a laurel tree. Suddenly her legs took
root, and her arms grew into long and slender branches. |
Deimos |
Greek |
Greek |
The personification of dread. Deimos ("fear") is considered as a son of
Ares, and brother of Phobos. He accompanied Ares on the battlefields. |
Delphi |
Greek |
Greek |
Geographically, Delphi is situated 2,000 feet above sea level, set in a
semicircular spur of Mount Parnassus which rises to 8069 feet, this
natural barrier is known as the Phaedriades (shining ones), and overlooks
the Pleistos Valley, 15km southwest from the site is the central
Corinthian Gulf where the ancient harbor of Kirrha was situated, it was
here the supplicants landed. |
Demeter |
Greek |
Greek |
The Greek earth goddess par excellence, who brings forth the fruits of the
earth, particularly the various grains. She taught mankind the art of
sowing and ploughing so they could end their nomadic existence. As such,
Demeter was also the goddess of planned society. She was very popular with
the rural population. As a fertility goddess she is sometimes identified
with Rhea and Gaia. |
Deucalion |
Greek |
Greek |
Deucalion is the son of Prometheus and Clymene. When Zeus punished
humankind for their lack of respect by sending the deluge, Deucalion and
his wife Pyrrha were the sole survivors. They were saved because of their
piety. Prometheus advised his son to build an ark and they survived by
staying on the boat. |
Dionysus |
Greek |
Greek |
Dionysus, also commonly known by his Roman name Bacchus, appears to be a
god who has two distinct origins. On the one hand, Dionysus was the god of
wine, agriculture, and fertility of nature, who is also the patron god of
the Greek stage. On the other hand, Dionysus also represents the
outstanding features of mystery religions, such as those practiced at
Eleusis: ecstasy, personal delivery from the daily world through physical
or spiritual intoxication, and initiation into secret rites. Scholars have
long suspected that the god known as Dionysus is in fact a fusion of a
local Greek nature god, and another more potent god imported rather late
in Greek pre-history from Phrygia (the central area of modern day Turkey)
or Thrace. |
Dysnomia |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek mythology, a daughter of the goddess of strife Eris. Dysnomia is
willful spirit of lawlessness. |
Echidna |
Greek |
Greek |
Echidna is the hideous mate of Typhon and the daughter of Ceto. She has
the head of a beautiful nymph, but the body of a serpent. Zeus spared her
and her children's lives as challenges to futures heroes. Echidna's
children are the Nemean Lion, Cerberus, Ladon, Chimera, Sphinx, and
Hydra. |
Echo |
Greek |
Greek |
Echo fell in love with a vain youth named Narcissus, who ignored her.
Narcissus found a pool of water and stared at his lovely reflection until
he died. Echo watched him until she pined away, now her voice remains,
repeating the last few things people say. |
Eirene |
Greek |
Greek |
"Peace". One of the Greek Horae. |
Elysian Fields |
Greek |
Greek |
Elysium. In Greek mythology, the abode of the blessed, paradise. Situated
at the end of the world it is here that those chosen by the gods are sent
to. |
Enceladus |
Greek |
Greek |
One of the hundred-armed Gigantes. He fought against the Olympians, and
Zeus hit him with a bolt of lightning and locked him beneath Mt. Aetna,
which shook each time he rolled over to his other side. |
Enipeus |
Greek |
Greek |
A river god from Thessaly. He was loved by Tyro, who was mislead by
Poseidon in Enipeus' shape. From their union Neleus and Pelias came forth. |
Enosichthon |
Greek |
Greek |
"Earth-shaker", and epithet of Poseidon. |
Enyalius |
Greek |
Greek |
A Spartan god of war. It is also an epithet of Ares. |
Eos |
Greek |
Greek |
The Greek personification of the dawn, the daughter of the Hyperion and
Theia and the sister of Helios (sun) and Selene (moon). By Astraeus she
was the mother of the four winds: Boreas, Eurus, Zephyrus and Notus; and
also of Heosphorus and the Stars. She was depicted as a goddess whose rosy
fingers opened the gates of heaven to the chariot of the Sun. Her legend
consists almost entirely of her intrigues. She first slept with Ares; this
earned her the wrath of Aphrodite who punished her by changing her into a
nymphomaniac. Her lovers were Orion, Cephalus and Tithonus. |
Erato |
Greek |
Greek |
The Muse of lyric poetry, particularly love and erotic poetry, and
mimicry. She is usually depicted with a lyre. |
Erebus |
Greek |
Greek |
Erebus was known as the embodiment of primordial darkness, the son of
Chaos (who was the void from which all things developed, known also as
Darkness). According to Hesiod's Theogony, Erebus was born with Nyx
(Night), and was the father of Aether (the bright upper atmosphere) and
Hemera (Day). Charon, the ferry-man who took the dead over the rivers of
the infernal region, is also said to be the son of Erebus and Nyx. |
Eridanus |
Greek |
Greek |
In Virgil (VI, 659) a river of the underworld. In Herodotus (III, 115) a
river which, by some of his contemporaries, was associated with the river
Po. This because the Po is situated near the end of what used to be the
so-called Amber trail. According to legend, amber originated from the
tears shed by the Heliades over the death of their brother Phaeton, who
fell from the sky into the river Eridanus. |
Eros |
Greek |
Greek |
Eros, the Greek god of love and sexual desire (the word eros, which is
found in the Iliad by Homer, is a common noun meaning sexual desire). He
was also worshiped as a fertility god, believed to be a contemporary of
the primeval Chaos, which makes Eros one of the oldest gods. In the
Dionysian Mysteries Eros is referred to as "protagonus", the first born.
But there are many variations to whom the parents of Eros really where.
According to Aristophanes (Birds) he was born from Erebus and Nyx (Night);
in later mythology Eros is the offspring of Aphrodite and Ares. Yet in the
Theogony, the epic poem written by Hesiod, it mentions a typified Eros as
being an attendant of Aphrodite, but not her son. Another legend says that
he was the son of Iris and Zephyrus. |
Ethon |
Greek |
Greek |
The eagle that gnawed the liver of Prometheus. |
Eunomia |
Greek |
Greek |
"Good order". Eunomia was the goddess of order and legislation in Greek
mythology. She was one of the three Horae. She was the daughter of Zeus
and Themis. Her sisters were Eirene and Dice. The Horae were the goddesses
of the seasons. Eunomia was not one of the goddesses who lived on Mt.
Olympus. |
Euphrosyne |
Greek |
Greek |
"Joy". One of the three Charites, the Graces. |
Europa |
Greek |
Greek |
Europa was the daughter of Agenor, and was beloved by Zeus. Zeus took the
form of a beautiful white bull and encountered Europa at the seashore. By
appearing to be very tame, he coaxed her to climb onto his back and then
swam off with her across the sea to Crete. In Crete, Europa had three sons
by Zeus -- Minos, Sarpedon, and Rhadamanthys. Zeus also gave her three
gifts: the bronze man, Talos, to act as her guardian; a dog, Laelaps,
which never failed of its quarry; and a javelin which never missed its
mark. Europa afterwards married Asterius, the king of Crete. |
Gaia |
Greek |
Greek |
Gaia or Gaea, known as Earth or Mother Earth (the Greek common noun for
"land" is ge or ga). She was an early earth goddess and it is written that
Gaia was born from Chaos, the great void of emptiness within the universe,
and with her came Eros. She gave birth to Pontus (the Sea) and Uranus (the
Sky). This was achieved parthenogenetically (without male intervention).
Other versions say that Gaia had as siblings Tartarus (the lowest part of
the earth, below Hades itself) and Eros, and without a mate, gave birth to
Uranus (Sky), Ourea (Mountains) and Pontus (Sea). |
Galatea |
Greek |
Greek |
One of the Nereids, and the beloved of Acis, a Sicilian shepherd. She was
also loved by Polyphemus, who killed Acis with a boulder in jealousy. From
his blood, Galatea created the river Acis on Sicily. |
Gemini |
Greek |
Greek |
The Gemini are two twins, Castor and Polydeuces (Pollux) in Greek
mythology; the Dioscuri. They are sons of Leda, a daughter of Thestius and
the wife of Tyncareus, and Zeus, the god of the heavens, and the brothers
of Helen of Troy. Each of the twins had a special talent: Polydeuces was a
very good boxer, and Castor was a talented horseman. They had many
adventures together. |
Geryon |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek mythology, Geryon was a triple-bodied, winged giant who dwelt on
the island of Erythea in the extreme west. He owned a herd of red cattle
which was guarded by the two-headed hound Orthrus. These oxen were stolen
by Heracles as the tenth of his Twelve Labors. Garyon was killed. |
Gorgon |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek mythology a Gorgon is a monstrous feminine creature whose
appearance would turn anyone who laid eyes upon it to stone. Later there
were three of them: Euryale ("far-roaming"), Sthenno ("forceful"), and
Medusa ("ruler"), the only one of them who was mortal. They are the three
daughters of Phorcys and Ceto. |
Gyges |
Greek |
Greek |
One of the Hecatonchires and the brother of Cottus and Briareus. With
Cottus he revolted against Zeus and was imprisoned in Tartarus by Zeus as
punishment. He was guarded by Briareus. |
Hades |
Greek |
Greek |
Hades is the lord of the dead and ruler of the nether world, which is
referred to as the domain of Hades or, by transference, as Hades alone. He
is the son of Cronus and Rhea. When the three sons of Cronus divided the
world among each other, Hades was given the underworld, while his brothers
Zeus and Poseidon took the upperworld and the sea respectively. For a
while Hades ruled the underworld together with Persephone, whom he had
abducted from the upperworld, but Zeus ordered him to release Persephone
back into the care of her mother Demeter. However, before she left he gave
her a pomegranate and when she ate of it, it bound her to the underworld
forever. |
Harmonia |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek mythology, Harmonia is the goddess of harmony and concord. She is
the daughter of Ares and Aphrodite (other sources say Zeus and Electra).
She was married to the Theban ruler Cadmus, and as such was beloved by the
Thebans. Upon her wedding she received a necklace and a garment, which
proved fatal to who wished to possess them. Harmonia is the mother of Ino
and Semele. |
Hecate |
Greek |
Greek |
Hecate is the Greek goddess of the crossroads. She is most often depicted
as having three heads; one of a dog, one of a snake and one of a horse.
She is usually seen with two ghost hounds that were said to serve her.
Hecate is most often mispercepted as the goddess of witchcraft or evil,
but she did some very good things in her time. One such deed was when she
rescued Persephone, (Demeter's daughter, the queen of the Underworld and
the maiden of spring), from the Underworld. Hecate is said to haunt a
three-way crossroad, each of her heads facing in a certain direction. She
is said to appear when the ebony moon shines. |
Hemera |
Greek |
Greek |
Hemera is the Greek goddess of day. She was born from Erebus, darkness,
and Nyx, night. Nyx was the daughter of Chaos, and sister of Erebus.
Erebus was among the first beings, dwelling in Hades. He sprang from Chaos
at the beginning of time. Erebus' name was given to the gloomy underground
cavern which the dead walk through on their way to the Underworld. Hemera
emerged from Tartarus as Nyx left it and returned to as she was emerging
from it. Thalassa, the sea, is the daughter of Hemera and her brother
Aether, light. |
Hera |
Greek |
Greek |
The queen of the Olympian deities. She is a daughter of Cronus and Rhea,
and wife and sister of Zeus. Hera was mainly worshipped as a goddess of
marriage and birth. It is said that each year Hera's virginity returns by
bathing in the well Canathus. The children of Hera and Zeus are the
smith-god Hephaestus, the goddess of youth Hebe, and the god of war Ares.
According to some sources, however, her children were conceived without
the help of a man, either by slapping her hand on the ground or by eating
lettuce: thus they were born, not out of love but out of lust and hatred. |
Hesperos |
Greek |
Greek |
Hesperos is the Greek personification of the evening star. He is "the most
splendid star that shines in the environment." This is from the Greek
accounts. Phospheros is sometimes confused with him because he is the
morning star. Eos, the goddess of dawn, is Hesperos' mother. Some people
considered Atlas his father, but no one really knows. Hesperos' children,
Ceyx and Daedalion, were both turned into birds. They angered the gods and
that was their punishment. It is unknown what caused the gods' wrath.
After that, Hesperos thought he might want to have another child. |
Hestia |
Greek |
Greek |
Hestia is the Greek goddess of the hearth fire, hence presiding over
domestic life. She is the eldest sister of Zeus and the oldest daughter of
Rhea and Cronus. |
Hyacinthus |
Greek |
Greek |
A Greek vegetation divinity who was loved by both Apollo and Zephyrus. He
returned the love of Apollo, but not of Zephyrus. When he and Apollo were
throwing the discus together, Zephyrus blew Apollo's discus out of its
course. It struck the head of Hyacinthus and killed him. From his blood
Apollo made spring up a flower, the hyacinth. |
Hypnos |
Greek |
Greek |
Hypnos is the personification of sleep in Greek mythology. He is the son
of Nyx and Erebus, and the twin of Thanatos ("death"). Both he and his
brother live in the underworld. He gave Endymion the power of sleeping
with open eyes so he could see his beloved, the moon goddess Selene. |
Iacchus |
Greek |
Greek |
The name by which Dionysus was hailed in the Eleusian Mysteries, sometimes
equated with Bacchus, although at Eleusis Dionysus was regarded as the son
of Zeus and Demeter. |
Icarius |
Greek |
Greek |
A legendary Athenian who welcomed Dionysus to Attica and in return
received the gift of the vine from the god. Icarius gave wine to the
shepherds, but when they became intoxicated they thought Icarius had
poisoned them, and so they slew him. His daughter Erigone, led by her dog
Marea, found his body and hanged herself in grief. Dionysus punished the
land by a plague, and inflicted all the maidens with madness so that they
hanged themselves as did Erigone. The gods placed Icarius among the stars
as Boötes. |
Ichor |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek mythology, Ichor was a mineral in the blood which made people
immortals. Without this mineral, all gods and goddesses would perish and
die. When gods had their blood shed, ichor spread out and any unspecting
peasants who came in contact with ichor immediately died. Some Greeks even
said that this mysterious substance was found in foods that the gods
feasted on. |
Inachus |
Greek |
Greek |
The personified deity of the river of that name in Greece. He is the son
of Oceanus and Tethys, and the father of Io. He made the land of Argolis
inhabitable after the great flood of Deucalion and founded the city of
Argos. |
Iris |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek mythology, Iris is the personified goddess of the rainbow. She is
regarded as the messenger of the gods to mankind, and particularly of the
goddess Hera whose orders she brought to humans. Iris is the daughter of
Titan Thaumas and the nymph Electra. She is portrayed as a young woman
with wings and her attributes are a herald's staff and a water pitcher.
She appears mainly on Greek vases. |
Keres |
Greek |
Greek |
The Keres (singular: Ker) are horrible, black winged, female spirits of
death and doom who also act as avenging spirits. They are the daughters of
Nyx and Erebus. In the festival of the Anthesteria, the Keres were
ritually driven from the house. In later times they were regarded as the
vengeful spirits of the dead. |
Lachesis |
Greek |
Greek |
The Disposer, one of the three Moirae. She measures the length of the
thread of human life spun by Clotho and determines its destiny. |
Ladon |
Greek |
Greek |
The hundred-headed dragon who guards the garden of the Hesperides and in
it the tree with the golden apples. Some sources say that he is a child of
Typhon and Echidna, other mention the dragon as a child of Phorcys. |
Loxias |
Greek |
Greek |
A name for Apollo as the god of incomprehensible oracular sayings. He had
an oracle at Loxias which was sacked by Cadmus and Harmonia, whom he then
transformed into serpents (Euripides. Bacchae, 1346). |
Lyaeus |
Greek |
Greek |
An epithet of Dionysys, as the god who releases people from worries. |
Lycorias |
Greek |
Greek |
A sea nymph, daughter of Nereus and Doris. |
Machaon |
Greek |
Greek |
The son of Asclepius. Together with his brother Polidarius he led a
company of Thessalonians in the battle of Troy. Both brothers were
renowned as healers. Machaon was buried in Gerenia, in the ancient town of
Messenia, and was venerated by the local people there. |
Medusa |
Greek |
Greek |
One of the Gorgons, and the only one who was mortal. Her gaze could turn
whoever she looked upon to stone. There is a particular myth in which
Medusa was originally a beautiful maiden. She desecrated Athena's temple
by lying there with Poseidon. Outraged, Athena turned Medusa's hair into
living snakes. |
Megaera |
Greek |
Greek |
Megaera, the grudging or unwilling, is one of the three Erinyes or Furies.
They were created by drops of Uranus' blood. The Erinyes are the three
goddesses of revenge, they punished those who escaped or defied public
justice. The other two sisters are Alecto, the unceasing, and Tisiphone,
the avenging. The three are women with fiery eyes, dogs' heads, and their
head are wreathed with serpents. Their whole appearance is terrific and
appalling. The sisters are sometimes called the daughters of night and are
brought about by murder, perjury, ingratitude, disrespect, harshness, and
the laws of hospitality. Megaera, Alecto, and Tisiphone are impartial and
impersonal and they pursue wrongdoers until they sinners are driven mad
and die. |
Melicertes |
Greek |
Greek |
God of harbors in Greek mythology, he was the son of Athamas and Ino, and
the brother of Learchus. In order to save her son from her father, who had
gone insane, Ino threw him into the sea, where he was transformed into the
sea god, Palaemon. In memory of this event and in honor of the god,
Sisyphus made the Isthmian Games. The legend of Melicertes is presented in
the sources with many variations due to being passed down to one
generation after another |
Minotaur |
Greek |
Greek |
Before he ascended the throne of Crete, Minos struggled with his brothers
for the right to rule. Minos prayed to Poseidon to send him a snow-white
bull, as a sign of approval by the gods for his reign. He promised to
sacrifice the bull as an offering, and as a symbol of subservience. A
beautiful white bull rose from the sea, but when Minos saw it, he coveted
it for himself. He assumed that Poseidon would not mind, so he kept it and
sacrificed the best specimen from his herd instead. When Poseidon learned
about the deceit, he made Pasipha, Minos' wife, fall madly in love with
the bull. She had Daedalus, the famous architect, make a wooden cow for
her. Pasipha climbed into the decoy and fooled the white bull. The
offspring of their lovemaking was a monster called the Minotaur. |
Mnemosyne |
Greek |
Greek |
The Titan goddess of memory and the inventor of words, daughter of Uranus
and Gaea. She is one of the three elder Muses. By Zeus she became the
mother of the nine younger Muses. |
Moirae |
Greek |
Greek |
The Fates, or Moirae, were the goddesses who controlled the destiny of
everyone from the time they were born to the time they died. They were:
Clotho, the spinner, who spun the thread of a person's life, Lachesis, the
apportioner, who decided how much time was to be allowed each person, and
Atropos, the inevitable, who cut the thread when you were supposed to die.
Even though the other gods were almighty, and supposedly immortal, even
Hera had reason to fear them. All were subject to the whims of the Fates.
Ministers of the Fates were always oracles or soothsayers (seers of the
future). The Fates were very important, but it is still unknown to who
their parents were. There is some speculation that they might be the
daughters of Zeus, however, this is debatable. |
Morpheus |
Greek |
Greek |
The Greek god of dreams. He lies on a ebony bed in a dim-lit cave,
surrounded by poppy. He appears to humans in their dreams in the shape of
a man. He is responsible for shaping dreams, or giving shape to the beings
which inhabit dreams. Morpheus, known from Ovid's Metamorphoses, plays no
part in Greek mythology. His name means "he who forms, or molds" (from the
Greek morphe), and is mentioned as the son of Hypnos, the god of sleep.
'Morphine' is derived from his name. |
Musagetes |
Greek |
Greek |
"Leader of the Muses". An epithet of Apollo as leader of the nine Muses. |
Myiagros |
Greek |
Greek |
A so-called 'momentary god'. His sole purpose was to chase away the flies
during the sacrifices to Zeus and Athena in Arcadia and Elis. |
Nemesis |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek mythology, Nemesis is the goddess of divine justice and
vengeance. Her anger is directed toward human transgression of the
natural, right order of things and of the arrogance causing it. Nemesis
pursues the insolent and the wicked with inflexible vengeance. Her cult
probably originated from Smyrna. She is regarded as the daughter of
Oceanus or Zeus, but according to Hesiod she is a child of Erebus and Nyx. |
Nereus |
Greek |
Greek |
A wise and gentle sea-god, a son of Pontus and Gaea. He is the father of
the fifty Nereides by Doris. Nereus, known as the Old Man of the Sea, had
the gift of prophecy and could change himself into any shape (Theogony
233-264). Heracles, seeking the location of garden of the Hesperides,
asked Nereus for directions but he refused to help him. Heracles seized
the god and held him fast and despite changing into many forms Nereus
could not escape Heracles' powerful grip. Finally, Nereus relented and
told the hero where to find the garden. |
Notus |
Greek |
Greek |
The god of the South Wind, which is a very warm and moist wind. He is the
son of Eos and Astraeus. The Romans called him Auster. |
Nyx |
Greek |
Greek |
Nyx is the goddess and embodiment of the night. According to Hesiod in his
Theogony (11.116-138), "From Chaos came forth Erebus and black Night Nyx;
of Night were born Aether being the bright upper atmosphere and Day Hemera,
whom she conceived and bore from union with Erebus her brother". Also from
the Theogony (11. 211-225); "And Night borehateful Doom Moros and black
Fate and Death Thanatos, and she bore Sleep Hypnos and the tribe of
Dreams. And again the goddess murky Night, though she lay with none, bare
Blame and painful Woe, and the Hesperides who guard the rich golden apples
and the trees bearing fruit beyond glorious Ocean. Also she bore the
Destinies and ruthless avenging Fates who were regarded as old women
occupied in spinning, Clotho the Spinner of the thread of life and
Lachesis the Disposer of Lots, she who allots every man his destiny and
Atropos She Who Cannot Be Turned, who finally cuts the thread of life who
give men at their birth both evil and good to have, and they pursue the
transgressions of men and of gods, and these goddesses never cease from
their dread anger until they punish the sinner with a sore penalty. Also
deadly Night bore Nemesis Indignation to afflict mortal men, and after
her, Deceit Apate and Friendship and hateful Age and hard-hearted Strife. |
Oceanus |
Greek |
Greek |
The personification of the vast ocean. As geography became more precise,
Oceanus began to refer to the water outside of the Pillars of Heracles, or
the Atlantic Ocean. He was the eldest of the Titans and a son of Uranus
and Gaia. He was the father of all rivers by his sister Tethys. The couple
also had the Oceanids which personified springs and smaller bodies of
waters, like lakes and ponds. |
Olympia |
Greek |
Greek |
The sanctuary of Olympia, the most ancient and is probably the most famous
sanctuary in Greece, and home of the Olympic Games. It is situated in the
valley of the Alpheios in the western region of the Peloponnese (the
legendary king Pelops was the first ruler of the area and it was he who
gave the whole peninsula its name "Peloponnesos", which means "Island of
Pelops"). The sanctuary lies on the south west foot of a wooded hill known
as Kronion (in honor of Cronus). The river which flows through the site is
the Alpheios, which is known in the mythology of Heracles, also the
river-god Alpheus, who was the son of Oceanus and Tethys. |
Otus |
Greek |
Greek |
Otus was a son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. He was also the
brother of Ephialtis. They both were giant Aloadae. The two brothers
decided to lay siege on Mt. Olympus by dethroning Zeus and raping Artemis.
During their siege on Mt. Olympus, they captured Ares and put him in a jar
for thirteen months. Finally, Artemis offered to lay with Otus if he set
Ares free. This made Ephialtis very jealous and the two got into a fight.
During the brawl, Artemis changed herself into a doe and sprung between
them. Both, not wishing for Artemis to flee, drew their spears and at the
same time threw them at the doe. Artemis then disappeared and the spears
hit Otus and Ephialtis killing them instantly. |
Ourea |
Greek |
Greek |
The Greek personifications of mountains. Each mountain was said to have
its own god. They are of the Protogenoi: the first-born elemental gods,
children of Gaia. Theogony (129-131), Argonautica (1.498). |
Palaemon |
Greek |
Greek |
A marine deity connected with Poseidon, and identified by the Romans with
Portunes, god of harbors. He was originally Melicertes, son of Ino, and
became a marine deity together with his mother when she cast herself with
him into the sea. |
Pandora |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman on earth. Zeus ordered
Hephaestus, the god of craftsmanship, to create her and he did, using
water and earth. The gods endowed her with many talents; Aphrodite gave
her beauty, Apollo music, Hermes persuasion, and so forth. Hence her name:
Pandora, "all-gifted". |
Pasiphae |
Greek |
Greek |
The daughter of Helios and Perse, and wife of King Minos. She was the
mother of Glaucus, Andogeus, Phaedra, and Ariadne. When Minos had the
misfortune of insulting Poseidon, the god kindled a passionate love in
Pasiphae for a bull. She had Daedalus design a construction so that she
could mate with the bull, and thus she became the mother of the Minotaur. |
Pegasus |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek mythology, Pegasus is the winged horse that was fathered by
Poseidon with Medusa. When her head was cut of by the Greek hero Perseus,
the horse sprang forth from her pregnant body. His galloping created the
well Hippocrene on the Helicon (a mountain in Boeotia). |
Penthus |
Greek |
Greek |
The personification of grief. When Zeus decided who would be the god of
that, Penthus was absent. There was nothing left for him to preside over
except the honors paid to the dead, mourning and tears. Penthus favors
those who weep for the dead, and because they are so good at weeping he
sends them the most grief he can. So the best way to avoid grief is to
keep the amount of distress at a minimum. |
Persephone |
Greek |
Greek |
Persephone is the goddess of the underworld in Greek mythology. She is the
daughter of Zeus and Demeter, goddess of the harvest. Persephone was such
a beautiful young woman that everyone loved her, even Hades wanted her for
himself. One day, when she was collecting flowers on the plain of Enna,
the earth suddenly opened and Hades rose up from the gap and abducted her.
None but Zeus, and the all-seeing sun, Helios, had noticed it. |
Phantasos |
Greek |
Greek |
A son of Hypnos and one of the Oneiroi, the personifications of the
various types of dreams. The various lifeless items one meets in one's
dreams are created by him. His name means "apparition". |
Philyra |
Greek |
Greek |
Philyra was the Greek daughter of Oceanus and Tethys. Some believe that
she was the wife of Nauplius, with whom she had many children. She was the
mother of the wise centaur Chiron. She was the goddess of beauty, perfume,
healing, and writing. Philyra was also the inventor of paper. |
Phlegethon |
Greek |
Greek |
The river that flows with fire which burns and does not consume. It is one
of the five principal rivers in the realms of Hades. |
Phobetor |
Greek |
Greek |
A son of Hypnos and one of the Oneiroi, the personifications of the
various types of dreams. In the dreams of humans Phobetor made various
animal shapes appear. His name means "frightning". |
Phobos |
Greek |
Greek |
Phobos ("fright") is the Greek personification of fear and terror. He is
usually considered to be a son of Ares, and accompanying him in battle,
instilling fear in all he saw. His brother of Deimos. |
Phoenix |
Greek |
Greek |
In ancient Greek and Egyptian mythology, the phoenix is a mythical bird
and associated with the Egyptian sun-god Re and the Greek Phoibos
(Apollo). According to the Greeks the bird lives in Arabia, nearby a cool
well. Each morning at dawn, it would bathe in the water and sing such a
beautiful song, that the sun-god stops his chariot to listen. There exists
only one phoenix at the time. |
Plutus |
Greek |
Greek |
The Greek god and personification of wealth, regarded as the son Demeter.
He is said to have been blinded by Zeus, that he might dispense his gifts
blindly and without regard to merit. His attributes are a cornucopia and a
basket filled with ears of corn. |
Pontus |
Greek |
Greek |
Pontus is the personification of the sea and the son of Gaia and Aether.
With Gaia he fathered Nereus, Thaumas, Phorcys, Ceto and Eurybia. |
Poseidon |
Greek |
Greek |
Poseidon is a god of many names. He is most famous as the god of the sea.
The son of Cronus and Rhea, Poseidon is one of six siblings who eventually
"divided the power of the world." His brothers and sisters include: Hestia,
Demeter, Hera, Hades, and Zeus. The division of the universe involved him
and his brothers, Zeus and Hades. Poseidon became ruler of the sea, Zeus
ruled the sky, and Hades got the underworld. The other divinities
attributed to Poseidon involve the god of earthquakes and the god of
horses. The symbols associated with Poseidon include: dolphins, tridents,
and three-pronged fish spears. |
Prometheus |
Greek |
Greek |
Prometheus was the son of Iapetus who was one of the Titans. He tricked
the gods into eating bare bones instead of good meat. He stole the sacred
fire from Zeus and the gods. Prometheus did not tell Zeus the prophecy
that one of Zeus's sons will overthrow him. In punishment, Zeus commanded
that Prometheus be chained for eternity in the Caucasus. There, an eagle
(or, according to other sources, a vulture) would eat his liver, and each
day the liver would be renewed. So the punishment was endless, until
Heracles finally killed the bird. Prometheus is known to be one of the
most interesting characters in Greek Mythology. |
Proteus |
Greek |
Greek |
Proteus, the so-called Old Man of the Sea, is a prophetic sea divinity,
son of either Poseidon or Oceanus. He usually stays on the Island of
Pharos, near Egypt, where he herds the seals of Poseidon. He will foretell
the future to those who can seize him, but when caught he rapidly assumes
all possible varying forms to avoid prophesying. When held fast despite
his struggles, he will assume his usual form of an old man and tell the
future. |
Psyche |
Greek |
Greek |
The personification of the human soul. In the well-known fable of the
Roman writer Apuleius (ca. 125 - ca. 180), Psyche is the youngest of three
daughters. She was of such extraordinary beauty that Aphrodite herself
became jealous of her. The goddess then sent her son Eros to make Psyche
fall in love with an ugly man. However, the god himself fell in love with
the girl and visited her every night, but forbade her to see his face, so
she did not know who her lover was. On her sisters' instigation she tried
to discover the true identity of her beloved. When he lay asleep in her
bed, she lit an oil lamp but when she bent over to see Eros' face, a drop
of oil from her lamp fell on him and he awakened. When he noticed her
intent, he left her. Psyche wandered the earth in search of her lover,
until she was finally reunited with him. |
Python |
Greek |
Greek |
A monstrous serpent in Greek mythology, and the child of Gaia, the goddess
earth. It was produced from the slime and mud that was left on the earth
by the great flood of Deucalion. It lived in a cave and guarded the oracle
of Delphi on mount Parnassus. |
Rhea |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek mythology, Rhea is the mother of the gods, daughter of Uranus and
Gaia. She is married to her brother Cronus and is the mother of Demeter,
Hades, Hera, Hestia, Poseidon and Zeus. |
Scylla |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek mythology, a sea monster who lived underneath a dangerous rock at
one side of the Strait of Messia, opposite the whirlpool Charybdis. She
threatened passing ships and in the Odyssey ate six of Odysseus'
companions. |
Sphinx |
Greek |
Greek |
In ancient Egypt, the Sphinx is a male statue of a lion with the head of a
human, sometimes with wings. Most sphinxes however represent a king in his
appearance as the sun god. The name "sphinx" was applied to the portraits
of kings by the Greeks who visited Egypt in later centuries, because of
the similarity of these statues to their Sphinx. The best known specimen
is the Great Sphinx of Gizeh (on the western bank of the Nile) which is
not a sphinx at all but the representation of the head of king Khaf-Ra (Chephren)
on the body of a crouching body. It was supposedly built in the 4th
dynasty (2723-2563 BCE), although others claim it dates back to the
7th-5th millennium. |
Syrinx |
Greek |
Greek |
Syrinx was an Arcadian river-nymph who was pursued by Pan. To escape him
she fled into the waters of her river where she pleaded the gods for help,
and they changed her into a reed. Disappointed, Pan cut the reed into
pieces of gradually decreasing lengths, fastened them together with wax
and thus produced the shepherd's flute, or "pipes of Pan", upon which he
plays. |
Tartessos |
Greek |
Greek |
The Greeks were fascinated by the notion of a mythical and fabulously
wealthy kingdom in the far west beyond the Pillars of Hercules. It was a
rich emporium of valuable and precious metals and the luxurious lives led
by its inhabitants linked it in their minds to the legends of Atlantis and
Hesperides, the Isles of the Blessed, which were located in the same
direction and were maybe even in the same place. They called it Tartessos. |
Telchines |
Greek |
Greek |
A mythical genus of priests that in ancient times migrated from Crete, via
Cyprus, to Rhodos. They were regarded as the ones who reared Poseidon, and
were particularly skilled in metallurgy. They were occasionally identified
with the Cyclopes, Dactyls, or Curetes. When they slowly turned into
vicious magicians they were killed by the gods. |
Telemus |
Greek |
Greek |
A seer among the Cyclopes. |
Telesphorus |
Greek |
Greek |
A Greek deity with healing powers, son of Asclepius and brother of Hygieia.
He cult originated in Hellenistic times at Pergamum (ca. 200 BCE).
Telesphorus was portrayed with a wide cloak and a low hood, occasionally
wearing a with a Phrygian cap. Images can be found on coins and reliefs
from Asia Minor. |
Telesto |
Greek |
Greek |
A sea nymph, daughter of Oceanus and Tethys. The tenth of Jupiter's moons
is named after her. |
Terpsichore |
Greek |
Greek |
One of the nine Muses of ancient Greece. Terpsichore is the Muse of
dancing and the dramatic chorus, and later of lyric poetry (and in even
later versions, of flute playing). Hence the word terpsichorean,
pertaining to dance. She is usually represented seated, and holding a
lyre. According to some traditions, she is the mother of the Sirens with
the river-god Achelous. She is also occasionally mentioned as the mother
of Linus by Apollo. |
Thalassa |
Greek |
Greek |
Thalassa, also known as Thalatta, Thalath, or Tethys is the Greek
personification of the sea. Aether and Hemera were her parents. She's
called the mother of Aphrodite by Zeus. She was the wife of Pontus and the
mother of nine Telchines, who are known as fish children because they have
flippers for hands; yet, they have the head of a dog. In some Greek
stories, she is known as the mother of all. "Thalassa even goes by fish
mother" This name is not only because she bore Telchines, it's also
because she is creator of all sea life. Thalassa's name means 'sea'. A
mercantile sea kingdom is also associated with her name: Thalassocracy. In
Greece, she is specifically the personification of the Mediterranean Sea.
Thalassa did not have god-like qualities. She was more of a metaphor than
a person. She was also a vast, lonely sea on non-populated shores. So, she
was never a goddess. |
Thalia |
Greek |
Greek |
The Muse who presided over comedy and pastoral poetry. She also favored
rural pursuits and is represented holding a comic mask and a shepherd's
crook (her attributes). Thalia is also the name of one of the Graces (Charites). |
Thanatos |
Greek |
Greek |
The Greek personification of death who dwells in the lower world. In the
Iliad he appears as the twin brother of Hypnos ("sleep"). Both brothers
had little to no meaning in the cults. Hesiod makes these two spirits the
sons of Nyx, but mentions no father. |
Themis |
Greek |
Greek |
Themis is one of the daughters of Uranus and Gaia. She is the
personification of divine right order of things as sanctioned by custom
and law. She has oracular powers and it is said that she build the oracle
at Delphi. By Zeus she is the mother of the Horae and the Moirae. |
Tisiphone |
Greek |
Greek |
The first meaning of the name Tisiphone is one of the Erinyes. Tisiphone
was the avenger of murder. She fell in love with Cithaeron whom she killed
by having a snake from her head bite him. The second meaning of the name
Tisiphone is the daughter of the Alcmaeon (one of the Epigoni) and his
wife Manto, she was the sister of Amphilochus. In an attack of madness,
Alcmaeon left his children behind with Creon of Corinth. Jealous of
Tisiphone's beauty Creon's wife sold her into slavery, with none of the
involved parties realizing at first that the buyer was Tisiphone's father.
When Alcmaeon later returned to Corinth to reclaim his children, he
recognized his daughter and also got his son back. |
Titanomachy |
Greek |
Greek |
The Titanomachy was a war between Zeus and the Titans. This war lasted for
10 years. Zeus had the Cyclopes, Hecatonchires, Themis, Prometheus, and
the Olympian pantheon an his side. The Titans were defeated and placed in
Tartarus. There to be guarded for eternity by the Hecatonchires. |
Triton |
Greek |
Greek |
In Greek mythology, Triton is the son of Poseidon and Amphitrite and lives
with them in a golden palace in the depths of the sea. He rides the waves
on horses and sea monsters and he carries a twisted conch shell, upon
which he blows either violently or gently, to stir up or calm the waves.
Triton is represented as having the body of a man with the tail of a fish,
but sometimes also with the forefeet of a horse. |
Typhon |
Greek |
Greek |
Typhon is the offspring of Gaia and Tartarus. His mate is Echidna and both
were so fearful that when the gods saw them they changed into animals and
fled in terror. Typhon's hundred, horrible heads touched the stars, venom
dripped from his evil eyes, and lava and red-hot stones poured from his
gaping mouths. Hissing like a hundred snakes and roaring like a hundred
lions, he tore up whole mountains and threw them at the gods. |
Xanthus |
Greek |
Greek |
Xanthus and Balius are the two immortal horses that Poseidon gave to
Peleus as a wedding present. The horses were the offspring of Zephyrus,
the west wind, (or Zeus) and the Harpy Podarge. They served as chariot
horses for Achilles during the Trojan War. When he rebuked them for
permitting Patroclus to be killed, Xanthos reproved Achilles by saying
that a god had slain Patroclus and that a god would soon kill him too.
After thus prophesying, the horse was struck dumb by the Erinyes. |
Xuthus |
Greek |
Greek |
The son of Hellen and mythical ancestor of the Achaeans and Ionians. The
Achaeans were a people of an ancient region in the northern Peloponnisos,
Greece. The region where they lived was known as Achaea. |
Zagreus |
Greek |
Greek |
The supreme god Greek Orphism and said to be a son of Zeus and Persephone.
At the instigation of Hera, Zagreus was torn to pieces by the Titans and
when they proceeded to devour him Zeus appeared on the scene. Driving the
Titans back with thunderbolts he succeeded in saving the heart and gave
it, still beating, to Semele to eat. From her and Zeus the divine child
Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, was born. |
Zalmoxis |
Greek |
Greek |
A god of the Getae and Dacians, a people of Thrace near the Hellespont.
Assuming a human form, he lived among humans but disappeared into the
underworld for three years and returned in the fourth. He was said to have
brought mystic lore regarding the immortality of the soul from Egypt and
from Pythagoras, introducing this concept, together with the arts of
civilization, to his people. |
Zephyrus |
Greek |
Greek |
Zephyrus is the Greek god of the west wind, believed to live in a cave on
Thrace. He is the son of Eos and Astraeus, the brother of Boreas, Eurus
and Notus. He abducted the goddess Chloris and gave her dominion over
flowers. In Roman myth, he is Favonius, the protector of flowers and
plants. |
Zeus |
Greek |
Greek |
Zeus, the youngest son of Cronus and Rhea, he was the supreme ruler of
Mount Olympus and of the Pantheon of gods who resided there. Being the
supreme ruler he upheld law, justice and morals, and this made him the
spiritual leader of both gods and men. Zeus was a celestial god, and
originally worshiped as a weather god by the Greek tribes. These people
came southward from the Balkans circa 2100 BCE. He has always been
associated as being a weather god, as his main attribute is the
thunderbolt, he controlled thunder, lightning and rain. Theocritus wrote
circa 265 BCE: "sometimes Zeus is clear, sometimes he rains". He is also
known to have caused thunderstorms. In Homer's epic poem the Iliad he sent
thunderstorms against his enemies. The name Zeus is related to the Greek
word dios, meaning "bright". His other attributes as well as lightning
were the scepter, the eagle and his aegis (this was the goat-skin of
Amaltheia). |
Agassou |
Haitian |
Haitian |
The guardian loa of the Dahomean traditions. |
Bacalou |
Haitian |
Haitian |
An evil spirit in Haitian voodoo. He is represented by a skull and crossed
bones. |
Clermeil |
Haitian |
Haitian |
A Haitian spirit which makes the rivers overflow. He is usually depicted
in the form of a white man. |
Conga |
Haitian |
Haitian |
A category of Haitian voodoo deities, associated with the rada group in
the organization of the voodoo pantheon. |
Damballa |
Haitian |
Haitian |
The most important god of voodoo-religion in the Caribbean. He is a
snake-god and lives in the trees near springs. He is also a fertility god
and the father of all the loa (voodoo divinities). On Haiti he is called
Bon Dieu ("good god") and his wife is the rainbow goddess Ayida Weddo. His
holy color is white. |
Diejuste |
Haitian |
Haitian |
A benevolent loa from Haitian voodoo. |
Dinclinsin |
Haitian |
Haitian |
In Haitian religion, a loa of European origin. He is feared for his great
severity. |
Erzulie |
Haitian |
Haitian |
The Voodoo love goddess and goddess of elemental forces, as well as of
beauty, dancing, flowers, jewels, and pretty clothes. She lives in
fabulous luxury and appears powdered and perfumed. She is as lavish with
her love as with her gifts. On her fingers she wears three wedding rings,
her three husbands being Damballa, the serpent god, Agwe, god of the sea
and Ogoun the warrior hero. As Erzulie Ge-Rouge, she huddles together with
her knees drawn up and her fists clenched, tears streaming from her eyes
as she laments the shortness of life and the limitation of love. She is
personified as a water snake. She is also called Ezili. |
Ghede |
Haitian |
Haitian |
Ghede is the god of the dead in voodoo, but it is also the name of the
group of deities who belong to his retinue. He is a very wise man for his
knowledge is an accumulation of the knowledge of all the deceased. He
stands on the center of all the roads that lead to Guinee, the
afterworld. |
Guinee |
Haitian |
Haitian |
In voodoo-religion, Guinee is the legendary place of origin and abode of
the gods. It is here that the souls of the deceased go after their death.
On their way to Guinee, they first have to pass the eternal crossroads
which is guarded by Ghede. |
Hungan |
Haitian |
Haitian |
The Haitian term for priest or spirit master of the voodoo cult, derived
from the Fon of Dahomey. The rituals of voodoo are often led by a hungan.
During these rituals the worshippers invoke the loa by drumming, singing,
dancing, and feasting, and the loa take possession of the dancers. Each
dancer then behaves in a manner characteristic of the possessing spirit
and while in an ecstatic trance performs cures and gives advice. Its
literal meaning is deity-chief, hun in Fon being a synonym for (vodun)
deity, and ga signifying chief. |
Kalfu |
Haitian |
Haitian |
The Voodoo spirit of the night and the source of darkness. He is very
dangerous. The moon is his symbol. |
Marassa |
Haitian |
Haitian |
The Haitian twin gods of voodoo. |
Mombu |
Haitian |
Haitian |
Mombu is a stammering loa who causes storms of torrential rain. |
Ogoun |
Haitian |
Haitian |
The Haitian voodoo god of war, fire, politics, iron, and thunderbolts. He
is the patron god of smiths' fire. The machete or sable is his attribute.
Ogoun is especially fond of rum and tobacco. |
Simbi |
Haitian |
Haitian |
Simbi is one of the three cosmic serpents of Haitian voodoo-religion, the
water-snake loa. |
Ti Malice |
Haitian |
Haitian |
The trickster in the folklore of the Negroes of Haiti (as well as of other
parts of the Creole-speaking New World -- Martinique, Guadeloupe, Lesser
Antilles). In Haiti, and elsewhere, his foil is the lumbering Uncle Bouki. |
Aghora |
Hindu |
Hindu |
Double of the Hindu god Shiva. |
Ahi |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu myth, one of the forms of the serpent-god, also identified with
Vritra, whom Indra slew with his thunderbolt, releasing the fructifying
waters which Ahi withheld and was guarding. |
Airavata |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The elephant-steed of Indra. This animal was always victorious, and had
four tusks which resembled a sacred mountain |
Akupara |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu mythology, the tortoise upon which the earth resides. |
Ambika |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A feminine personification of Parvati in Hindu mythology. An astonishingly
beautiful woman she lured demons to their deaths. She announced to them
that she would not bed with anyone who had not bested her in battle, and
when they approached to fight her she killed their retinue with a
supersonic hum, then transformed herself into the fearsome Kali and slew
them. |
Amitayus |
Hindu |
Hindu |
"Boundless Life." A manifestation of the buddha Amitabha. In iconography
he is depicted sitting, holding in his hands a vessel that contains the
nectar of immortality. |
Ananta |
Hindu |
Hindu |
"Infinite". An epithet of the god Vishnu; description of the serpent on
whose body Vishnu slept. It is also applied to Sesha, ruler over the Nagas,
the mythical human serpents. |
Andhaka |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A Hindu demon. |
Angiris |
Hindu |
Hindu |
Hindu angels who presided over sacrifices. |
Apam Napat |
Hindu |
Hindu |
Hindu god of fresh water. |
Apsaras |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The Apsaras were nature spirits, the mates of the Gandharvas. They
sometimes were water nymphs, and other times were beings of the forest.
They are all female, and all of them are described as being very
beautiful. They were paired with the Gandharvas, who would play their
instruments so the Apsaras would dance. They would often perform for the
gods in their palaces. They were inspirations for love, and were sometimes
sent to tempt rishis or Brahmans who were very austere. |
Aranyani |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A Hindu woodland goddess. |
Ardra |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The Hindu goddess of misfortune. |
Arundhati |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A Hindu astral goddess. |
Aslesa |
Hindu |
Hindu |
Another Hindu goddess of misfortune. |
Balin |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The Hindu monkey king of Kishkindhya, the son of Indra, who was slain by
Rama. Balin was supposed to have been born from his mother's hair. |
Banka Mundi |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A hunting goddess in India. |
Bhadra |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A Hindu goddess, and attendant of Shiva. |
Bharani |
Hindu |
Hindu |
Another Hindu goddess of misfortune. The daughter of Daksha and consort of
Chandra. |
Bhima |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A Hindu warrior god. He is one of the heroes of the Mahabharata and a
prince of the Pandu family. He is the son of the wind god Vayu, and a
brother of Arjuna. His name means "the terrible one". |
Bhutas |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The Buthas (singular; Bhut) are a group of evil spirits in Hindu myth. |
Brahma |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu mythology, the senior member of the triad, or Trimurti, of the
great gods (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). In later times he became symbolized
as the supreme eternal deity whose essence pervades the entire universe. |
Brahmastra |
Hindu |
Hindu |
An irresistible divine weapon given by Brahma, the creator-god. It is said
that when a Brahmastra is used there will be famine on earth and for 12
years there would be no flora and fauna where it was used, unless the
weapon is withdrawn properly following the procedure laid down in the
scriptures. |
Chamunda |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A Hindu goddess: a form of Durgha. The name Chamunda is apparently derived
from the names of the two demons Chanda and Munda, whom she is said to
have killed. |
Chandanayika |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A Hindu goddess. A form of Durgha and one of the nine navadurgas. |
Chandesvara |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A Hindu god; a benevolent aspect of Shiva, whom he serves. |
Chandika |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The Hindu goddess of desire. |
Chaya |
Hindu |
Hindu |
"Shadow". A Hindu goddess; a reflection of the goddess Sanjna. She was the
consort of Surya and the mother of Sani. |
Chitragupta |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu belief, the recorder of the vices and the virtues of men.
Chitragupta is the judge who sends men to heaven or hell. |
Daityas |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu myth, the early giants who fought against the gods. |
Devasena |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A Hindu goddess, one of the consorts of Skanda. |
Devata |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu mythology, a god. This term is usually applied to the inferior
gods. |
Dhanistha |
Hindu |
Hindu |
Another Hindu goddess of misfortune, a malevolent nakshatra. She is a
daughter of Daksha and consort of Chandra (Soma). |
Dhatar |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A Hindu sun god. One of the adityas. |
Dhatri |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu myth, one of the Adityas, guardian deities of the months. |
Dhisana |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A Hindu goddess of prosperity. She appears in the Vedas. |
Dhumravati |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A Hindu demonic goddess. |
Durgha |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu mythology and religion, a malignant form of Devi, the
inaccessible, represented by a yellow woman riding a tiger. Also Kali or
Parvati. She is the consort of Shiva. |
Dyavaprthivi |
Hindu |
Hindu |
Dyavaprthivi was the embodiment of the whole cosmos, the sky above and
earth below who set the universe in order. At one point, the god Varuna
separated the two into separate deities, Dyaus Pita and Prthivi. |
Gandharvas |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The Gandharvas were spirits of the air, forests, and mountains; they were
the mates of the Apsaras. They are all male, and had differing
descriptions. Sometimes they were seen as shaggy, damp, and dirty
creatures who were part man and part animal; other times they were men
with birds' legs and wings; the could be centaur-like, half man and half
horse; or they sometimes were seen as fair men who had effeminate
features. They were known for their musical skills, their power to cast
illusions, and their skill with horses. They sometimes were the attendants
of the devas, and would often combat human heroes. If the hero was
victorious, the Gandharva would help the hero on his quest, but if the
hero lost, he would be carried away, never to be heard from again. The
Gandharvas were also the protectors of Soma, which they guarded with
jealous intent. |
Ganesha |
Hindu |
Hindu |
Ganesha is one of the most popular deities in the Hindu pantheon. He is
closely associated with the daily lives of millions of Hindus even today.
As he is reputed to be a remover of obstacles he is propitiated before the
beginning of any new venture whether it is the building of a new house,
the writing of a book, the beginning of a journey or the starting of a new
business. His images adorn the walls of innumerable business
establishments across India. It is customary for businessmen to seek his
blessings each morning before they get down to business. Ganesha is also
the god of wisdom and prudence. These qualities are signified through his
two wives: Buddhi (wisdom) and Siddhi (prudence). Ganesha has a thorough
knowledge of the scriptures and is a superb scribe. This latter quality is
manifest through the fact that he is the scribe to whom Vyas Dev (the
narrator of the Hindu epic Mahabharata) narrated his enormous epic.
Ganesha did this work so thoroughly that the Mahabharata is one of the
most harmonious works in the Hindu scriptures. Scholars, both mythical and
historical, explain that this is so because, before undertaking to do the
work, Ganesha stipulated that the dictation should never falter and that
he should, at all times, be able to understand what was being said. Thus,
it is not strange that such a conscientious god is propitiated by all and
sundry. |
Hanuman |
Hindu |
Hindu |
Hanuman, together with Ganesha and Garuda, is one of the three major Hindu
deities with animalistic physical features. He is loved all over India as
the monkey-god who so faithfully served Rama, Vishnu's seventh avatar
(incarnation), in his war against Ravana, the demon king. Hanuman is a
major deity in North India where he is regarded as a propitiator against
all evil. Temples to him have been erected all over that part of the
country each small villages and towns having their own "Hanuman" shrine to
keep the populace within the ambit of his able and benign prowess. |
Ida |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The Hindu goddess of prayer and devotion. |
Imra |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The supreme god of Kafirstan in Hindu Kush (a great mountain system of
Central Asia). |
Indra |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Vedic times, Indra was the supreme ruler of the gods. He was the leader
of the Devas, the god of war, the god of thunder and storms, the greatest
of all warriors, the strongest of all beings. He was the defender of gods
and mankind against the forces of evil. He had early aspects of a sun-god,
riding in a golden chariot across the heavens, but he is more often known
as the god of thunder, wielding the celestial weapon Vajra, the lightening
bolt. He also employs the bow, a net, and a hook in battle. He shows
aspects of being a creater god, having set order to the cosmos, and since
he was the one who brought water to earth, he was a fertility god as well.
He also had the power to revive slain warriors who had fallen in battle. |
Indrani |
Hindu |
Hindu |
Indrani was Indra's wife and consort; in the early Vedic accounts she was
merely a female shadow of him. She is sometimes referred to as the goddess
of wrath. She was the daughter of the demon Puloman, whom Indra killed.
She was always described as beautiful, but was said to have one thousand
eyes. In later Hindu times, she came to personify jealousy and was
regarded as of evil intent. In southern India, however, she was ranked as
one of the nine astral deities who were the highest of the gods. Her
symbolic animal was either the lion or the elephant. |
Jahnu |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A saint in Hindu mythology. According to the legend, when the celestial
Ganga flowed to the earth from heaven, the hermitages of Jahnu and other
saints were flooded and washed away by the flood of the river. Enraged at
this, Jahnu drank the entire river waters by using his yogic power. At the
request of gods and saints, he later released the river through his ear
and told that Ganga would hereafter be known as his daughter. Thus, the
river Ganga (the Ganges) came to be known as 'Jahnavi' (daughter of Jahnu). |
Kaitabha |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The Hindu demon which tried to attack Brahma. |
Kalpataru |
Hindu |
Hindu |
"Wish-fulfilling tree." In Hindu mythology, the heavenly tree that
fulfills all wishes that are expressed by those standing beneath it. |
Kapila |
Hindu |
Hindu |
An incarnation of god Vishnu. He is the son of Kardama Prajapathi and
Devahooti. Propounder of Sankhya system of philosophy. |
Karttikeya |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The principal god of war of the Hindus is Karttikeya.He is also known as
Skanda. He replaces both Indra and Agni who, in the early stages of
Hinduism, were considered to be gods of battles. In his role as defender
of the gods Karttikeya is more single-minded than any of his predecessors.
Hindu myths profess that he is interested in nothing but battles and
warlike adventures. He is reputed to be not even interested in women,
being somewhat of a misogynist. This is almost singular, as all other
Hindu gods are associated with one or more women, be they goddesses or
otherwise. |
Kauravas |
Hindu |
Hindu |
"Descended from Kuru." A clan who attacked the Pandavas and drove them
from their territory. Later the Pandavas returned and conquered the
Kauravas with the help of Indra, Arjuna, and Balarama. This battle is the
main theme of the Mahabharata. |
Kubera |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In the Vedic times in Indian Mythology, Kubera was a being associated with
evil. He was envisaged to be the chief of all evil creatures living in
darkness. It was only after Hinduism consolidated into what it is today
that this hideous dwarf began to get acknowledged as a god and as one of
the eight guardians of the world. He still remained the king of the
Yakshas. Today, in the Hindu pantheon, Kubera is widely known as the god
appointed the guardian of the treasures of the gods. He often rides in his
airborne magic chariot Pushpak and showers jewels and other precious
objects onto the lands he passes over to succor the poor. |
Lakshmi |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The Hindu goddess of good fortune and beauty, mother of Kama, the young
god of love. She arose from the milky foam of the waves at the Churning of
the Ocean. She is the consort of Vishnu, and is his wife during each of
his incarnations. Also known as Sri. |
Lokaloka |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The belt of mountains which divides the visible world from the perpetual
darkness beyond. These mountains are said to lie beyond the outermost of
the seven seas. |
Mahadeva |
Hindu |
Hindu |
"The Great God". An epithet of Shiva; likewise, Parvati is Mahadevi, "the
Great Goddess". |
Mahisha |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The buffalo-headed monster killed by Durga in her battle with the Asuras.
The fight between Mahisha and Durga took place at a time when the demons
had taken over power from the gods. They controlled the priests and
consumed the offerings made in honour of the gods. Faced with dwindling
powers, the gods created a powerful goddess to help them: Durga. She
destroyed Mahisha and the Asuras. |
Makara |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A sea-monster from Hindu mythology. It is the mount of Varuna. |
Meru |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The 'Olympus' of the Hindus. A fabulous mountain in the center of the
world, 80,000 leagues high. It is the abode of Vishnu and a perfect
paradise. |
Minaksi |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A Hindu goddess. |
Nagas |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu myth, nagas are a primeval race of divine serpent-people that
play an important part in religion. They are half human and half snake,
and are still worshipped as the bringers of fertility, especially in
southern India. Nagas are believed to live in palaces (Patala) in the
underground city Bhogavati. They are considered the protectors of springs,
wells and rivers. They bring rain, and thus fertility, but are also
thought to bring disasters such as floods and drought. Their ruler is
Sesha. Some of the nagas are: Ananta (symbol of eternity), Vasuki, Manasa
(fertility goddess and protector against snake-bites), and Mucilinda. |
Namuci |
Hindu |
Hindu |
One of the greatest of the Hindu Asuras. |
Naryana |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu myth, the original Supreme Being who lies on the body of
Shesanaga, the huge serpent on the Ocean of Milk. In some sources he is
identified with the original man, and in others with Vishnu. |
Nidra |
Hindu |
Hindu |
"Sleep." The goddess of sleep. Various sources refer to her as a feminine
form of Brahma or say that she emerged from the great deluge, the Churning
of the Ocean. |
Nirriti |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A Vedic goddess of evil and deceit; personification of destruction. She is
sometimes connected with the goddess Kali. |
Parasurama |
Hindu |
Hindu |
Parasurama (axe-wielding Rama) is an avataar (incarnation) of Vishnu.
Among the ten avataars prominently counted, this is the sixth. Parasurama
is the son of saint Jamadagni. He did penance about Lord Shiva and got an
axe from him as weapon. |
Parjanya |
Hindu |
Hindu |
"Rain-cloud." An old-Indian rain-god and vegetation. The fertilized earth
is thought of as his wife. In the Rig Veda he is represented in the form
of a bull. Parjanya is sometimes identified with Indra. |
Parvati |
Hindu |
Hindu |
One of appellations of the consort of Shiva, in her aspect as
mountain-goddess. |
Prajapati |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The Hindu lord of creation. |
Prisni |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The Hindu goddess of the earth and darkness. She is the wife of Rudra and
mother of the Maruts. |
Pushan |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu myth, a god of wealth and fertility of cattle. He is also
associated with the sun, is the guide of travelers, and conducts the souls
of the dead. |
Putana |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu mythology, the female demon, daughter of Bali, who tried to kill
the infant Krishna by suckling him with her poisonous milk. Krishna slew
her by draining her of her lifeblood. The demon is thought to cause
abortion and diseases in children. |
Rahu |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu myth, Rahu is demon that causes eclipses. He rides a chariot
pulled by eight black horses, with his mouth wide open, ready to devour
the sun or moon. If he succeeds, a solar or lunar eclipse will follow. He
is usually portrayed as a dragon's head, without a body. In Tibet he is
the Buddhistic lord of the nine planets, and one of the Krodhadevatas
(terror-inspiring gods). There he is portrayed with nine heads and the
body of a snake. |
Raksha |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In ancient Hindu myth, they are a classification of evil spirits who, on
occasion, can sometimes also be friendly. They often battle the gods and
are thought to hurt people at night. The Rakshas are led by Ravana, their
king, and are the eternal enemies of Vishnu, one of the foremost
divinities of the Hindu pantheon. The Rakshas are the descendants of Rishi
Kashyapa, a sage and a seer. They usually appear in the shape of a dog or
a bird with a fat body, or as a skeleton. |
Rama |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu myth, the seventh incarnation (or avatar) of Vishnu. He is the
hero of the Indian Epic "Ramayana" (the story of Rama). Born as the prince
of Ayodhya, he faces many tribulations, chief among which is being
banished to the forest, due to the machinations of his stepmother. During
his exile, his wife Sita is abducted by Ravanaa demon king of the Lanka
island (Ceylon). With the aid of Hanuman, Rama rescues Sita and slays
Ravana, and is crowned as the king of Ayodhya. |
Ravana |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The ten-headed demon king of Ceylon in Hindu myth. With his forces of
Rakshas he kidnaps Sita but she is rescued by Rama, who kills Ravana. |
Rhibus |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The Hindu craft gods, equestrian and solar deities. |
Sadhyas |
Hindu |
Hindu |
Minor Hindu gods who guard the rites and prayers of greater gods. |
Sambara |
Hindu |
Hindu |
One of the Asuras of Vedic myth who were vanquished by Indra. |
Saranyu |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu myth, the wife the Surya, the sun-god, and sometimes regarded as
a dawn-goddess. |
Sarasvati |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu myth, a goddess of the river waters and of fertility and wealth.
Sarasvati is the patroness of speech, writing and learning, and of the
arts and sciences. She is the consort of Brahma. |
Savitar |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The Vedic sun-god who urges man and beast to act. He rides in a golden
chariot from which he surveys the entire sky. |
Sesha |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A Hindu thousand-headed snake god of the Vedas. He was said to have been
born from the mouth of Balarama just before his death. Sesha was chief of
the mythical Nagas, a clan of snake worshippers. |
Shesanaga |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu myth, the great serpent which lies on the primordial Ocean of
Milk, and upon whom reclines Naryana (or Vishnu). He is also regarded as
king of the Nagas, or serpent-people, as has a thousand heads. |
Shiva |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The third deity of the Hindu triad of great gods, the Trimurti. Shiva is
called the Destroyer (of evil), but has also the aspect of regeneration.
As destroyer he is dark and terrible, appearing as a naked ascetic
accompanied by a train of hideous demons, encircled with serpents and
necklaces of skulls. As auspicious and reproductive power, he is
worshipped in the form of the shivling or shiva linga (lingam). |
Sugriva |
Hindu |
Hindu |
A monkey king in Ramayana whom Rama befriended. He helped Rama by sending
his vast monkey-army in searching and finding Sita who was confined in
Ravana's kingdom. |
Taraka |
Hindu |
Hindu |
Taraka is the name of a powerful demon who threatened to subjugate the
world. He was able to grow so powerful because he had followed his
austerities to such an extent that he became more powerful than the gods.
Fearing his power, the gods went to Shiva, imploring him to help them
against this terrible threat. Shiva created a champion, Karttikeya, to
combat the foe. When he was ready, Karttikeya went forth and the two
battled. Karttikeya was able to destroy the demon, and so rescued the
world. |
Tvashtri |
Hindu |
Hindu |
Tvashtri is the artisan god of Hindu myth. He is the giver of life,
forming husband and wife when they are born. He was the son of Adita and
the father of Surya, the sun god. He created the three worlds with the
shavings from the sun. It was he who built the heavens of Yama, Indra, and
Varuna. He also crafts the weapons and tools of the gods, most notably
Indra's thunderbolt Vajra. He created the moon to be the cup which held
the divine drink Soma. |
Ushas |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The goddess of the dawn in Hindu myth, and the breath of life in the
Vedas. |
Vamana |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Vedic Hinduism, the fifth avatar of Vishnu, in the form of a dwarf. It
was in this form that Vishnu tricked Bali into giving up heaven and earth.
He asked Bali to be given a plot of land a mere three paces wide. Bali
agreed, and Vishnu returned to his usual size and paced out the measure of
heaven and earth in two steps. He elected not to claim the underworld,
which he allowed Bali to retain and rule over. |
Virabhadra |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu myth, a monster created by Shiva in his quarrel with Daksha. |
Vishnu |
Hindu |
Hindu |
Vishnu is regarded as a major god in Hinduism and Indian mythology. He is
thought as the preserver of the universe while two other major Hindu gods
Brahma and Shiva, are regarded respectively, as the creator and destroyer
of the universe. |
Visvakarma |
Hindu |
Hindu |
The Hindu divine artificer, craftsman and smith. |
Vritra |
Hindu |
Hindu |
Vritra was one of the asuras, perhaps the most powerful of them all. His
name means "Enveloper." He was a dragon or serpent who was said to be so
huge that his coils surrounded mountains, and his head touched the sky. He
was the bringer of drought, and his chief enemy was Indra. |
Yaksha |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu myth, Yakshas are chthonic semi-divine beings, half god and half
demon. They live under the earth in the Himalayas where they guard the
wealth of the earth (gems, gold, silver, etc.). They are led by Kubera,
the god of wealth. Like their leader, they have all fat bellies and plump
legs. They have no special characteristics, are not violent, and are
therefore called punyajana ("good beings"). Kubera's epithet is
Punyajaneshvara. |
Yogini |
Hindu |
Hindu |
In Hindu mythology, one of the eight female demons created by and
attendant upon Durgha. Sometimes the yoginis are forms of that goddess,
capable of being multiplied to as many as ten million. |
Apotequil |
Inca |
Inca |
The legendary high priest of the moon-god among the Incas of Peru. He was
a god of the lightning, and statues were erected upon the mountaintops. |
Apu Illapu |
Inca |
Inca |
The Inca god of thunder. |
Catequil |
Inca |
Inca |
The Inca god of thunder and lightning. |
Chasca |
Inca |
Inca |
The Inca personification of planet Venus. Chasca is a servant of the Sun.
She was honored as a goddess of the dawn and twilight, and the special
protectress of virgins and young girls. |
Copacati |
Inca |
Inca |
An Inca lake-goddess. Her worship was centered on Tiahuanaco, near Lake
Titicaca. |
Ekkeko |
Inca |
Inca |
A Bolivian god of plenty and wealth. According to an ancient legend, when
you place a miniature object on a doll representing the god, you will
receive what you wish for the following year. It is considered bad luck to
remove those objects from the doll. |
Huacas |
Inca |
Inca |
The Inca term for the numerous gods of nature they worshipped in the shape
of rocks, mountains, trees, rivers, lakes, etc. |
Illapa |
Inca |
Inca |
Illapa is the Inca god of lightning, thunder and rainstorms. The Quechua 'illapa'
means "lightning". |
Pachacamac |
Inca |
Inca |
"Earth Maker". The supreme god and creator of the Yuncas of Peru, later
adopted by the Incas. Also god of the earth. His consort is Mama Pacha and
his brothers are Viracocha and Manco Capac. |
Punchau |
Inca |
Inca |
An Inca sun god. He was depicted as a warrior armed with darts. |
Supay |
Inca |
Inca |
The evil spirits of the Quechua-speaking Incas of Peru. It was also the
name of the god of death and lord of the Incan underworld. Today the
Catholic Indians of Peru and Bolivia apply the word to the Devil. |
Urcaguary |
Inca |
Inca |
The Inca god of underground treasures. |
Vichama |
Inca |
Inca |
In Inca mythology, Vichama is the god of death and the son of Inti. His
mother was murdered by his half-brother Pachacamac, and he took revenge by
turning the humans who were created by Pachacamac into rocks and islands.
Afterwards he hatched three eggs from which a new race of humans was born. |
Viracocha |
Inca |
Inca |
The supreme Inca god, synthesis of sun-god and storm-god. |
Shurat |
Islam |
Islam |
Meaning "those who have sold their souls to God", |
Shia |
Islam |
Shia Islam |
Shi'a Muslims, though a minority in the Muslim world, constitute the
majority in Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Azerbaidjan and Bahrain. |
Sunnah |
Islam |
Sunni Islam |
The word Sunni comes from the word Sunnah (Arabic : سنة ), which means the
words and actions [1] or example of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. |
Aji Shiki |
Japanese |
Japanese |
A young Japanese god who cut down the mortuary house of his dead friend.
The building fell down from heaven to earth where it became Mount Moyama. |
Amaterasu |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese Shinto sun goddess, ruler of the Plain of Heaven, whose name
means 'shining heaven' or 'she who shines in the heavens'. She is the
central figure in the Shinto pantheon and the Japanese Imperial family
claims descent from her 1. She is the eldest daughter of Izanagi. She was
so bright and radiant that her parents sent her up the Celestial Ladder to
heaven, where she has ruled ever since. |
Amida |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The god to whom the Japanese turned at the moment of death. Amida-Nyorai's
realm had a lotus pond brimming with ambrosia groves of jewel-studded
trees, on the branches of which perched marvelous birds, while melodious
bells depended from the boughs, and above this the Buddha and his angels
circled, scattering petals on the gentle breeze. |
Awabi |
Japanese |
Japanese |
Japanese sea demons who live near Nanao. They eat fishermen when they
drown and are the guardians of large seashells containing shining jewels. |
Bakemono |
Japanese |
Japanese |
Spirits possessed of evil powers. The term covers various spirits such as
kappa, mono-no-ke (evil spirits), oni, ten-gu, and yamanba or yama-ubu (a
mountain witch). |
Benkei |
Japanese |
Japanese |
A famous fighter and swordsman in Japanese mythology. |
Benzai Ten |
Japanese |
Japanese |
Japanese goddess of language, wisdom, knowledge, good fortune, and water |
Bishamon |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese god to whom many functions are attributed, but he is mostly
known as a god of war, the distributor of wealth and protector of those
who worship the 'Lotus of the righteous Law'. He was successfully invoked
by Prince Shotoku in 587 during the campaign against the anti-Buddhist
clans of Japan. He protects against demons and diseases, and a guardian of
one of the four cardinal points (the North). |
Bosatsu |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese form of the Sanskrit bodhisattva, a manifestation of the
Buddha in the past, present or future. Instead of entering nirvana, thus
escaping the burden of individual existence, a bodhisattva has decided to
remain on earth for the benefit of humanity. |
Butsudo |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese word for Buddhism. Literally 'Buddha's Path'. |
Centipede |
Japanese |
Japanese |
A terrifying, man-eating monster the size of a mountain. It lived in the
mountains of Japan near Lake Biwa. The dragon king of that particular lake
asked the famous hero Hidesato to kill it for him. The hero slew it by
shooting an arrow, dipped in his own saliva, into the brain of the
monster. The dragon king rewarded Hidesato by giving him a rice-bag; a bag
of rice which could not be emptied and it fed his family for centuries. |
Chup Kamui |
Japanese |
Japanese |
Sun goddess of the Ainu peoples. Originally she was the moon goddess but
after one night overhead watching all the adulterous behavings below she
begged the sun god to trade places with her; he did. |
Daikoku |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese god of wealth and protector of the soil and patron of
farmers. He is one of the Shichi Fukujin. Called the Great Black One, he
makes wishes of mortals come true. He is portrayed as a fat and prosperous
man, standing or seated on two bags of rice and with a bag of jewels on
his shoulder. On his chest he has a golden sun disk and in his hand he
holds a magic mallet (with male and female symbols) which fulfils all
wishes. His familiar is the rat, and he is a friend of children. Ebisu is
his son. Sometimes the image is of a goddess, called Yasha. |
Dosojin |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese god of the roads. |
Ekibiogami |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese god of epidemic diseases such as plague and pestilence. |
Fujin |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese god of the wind and one of the eldest Shinto gods. He was
present at the creation of the world and when he first let the winds out
of his bag, they cleared the morning mists and filled the space between
heaven and earth so the sun shone. He is portrayed as a terrifying dark
demon wearing a leopard skin, carrying a large bag of winds on his
shoulders. |
Gakido |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The 'Demon Road' or Purgatory in Japanese cosmology. It is the lowest form
of existence |
Gongen |
Japanese |
Japanese |
A Japanese mountain deity, an incarnated living spirit, a Shinto
incarnation of the Buddha. Mountain climbers hope to gain enlightenment on
the mountain which have such a spirit. |
Gozu Tenno |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese god of plague. |
Hachiman |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Shinto god of war, and the divine protector of the Japanese people. He
is worshipped by the peasants as the god of agriculture, and by the
fishermen who hope he will fill their nets. An alternative name for him is
Yawata, the god of the eight banderoles. The doves are his symbolic
animals and his messengers. |
Hidesato |
Japanese |
Japanese |
A famous, fearless hero of Japanese legend. He killed many monsters, among
which the centipede. |
Hiruko |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese god of the morning sun. He also guards over the health of
little children. |
Hotoke |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese spirits of the dead, including the saints and the Buddhas. |
Idzumo |
Japanese |
Japanese |
In Japanese mythology, 'The Central Land of the Reed Plains', the first
part of the earth inhabited after the creation. In those days the trees
and the flowers could still speak, so that the earth was full of voices. |
Isora |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese god of the seashore. |
Izanagi |
Japanese |
Japanese |
In Japanese Shinto-mythology, the primordial sky, the god of all that is
light and heavenly. Izanagi ("the male who invites") and his wife and
sister Izanami ("the female who invites") were given the task of creating
the world. Standing on Ama-no-ukihashi (the floating bridge of the
heavens), they plunged a jewel crested spear into the ocean. When they
pulled it free, the water that dripped from the spear coagulated and
formed the first island of the Japanese archipelago. Here the first gods
and humans were born. |
Jigoku |
Japanese |
Japanese |
In Japanese Buddhism, one of the many hells, the lowest form of existence. |
Jikininki |
Japanese |
Japanese |
In Japanese myth, jikininki are demons, corpse-eaters, who eat dead human
bodies. These demons are often the spirits of dead men or women whose
greed prevented their souls from entering a more peaceful existence after
death. They continue a half-life by devouring corpses. A particular myth
tells of a strong-willed priest called Muso Kokushi who once kept watch
near the body of a deceased person. Suddenly a jikininki arrived to devour
it, but the priest's prayers liberated the demon's soul. |
Jikoku |
Japanese |
Japanese |
One of the guardians of the four cardinal directions in Japanese myth.
Jikoku guards the east. |
Jurojin |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese Shinto god of longevity and a happy old age. He is one of the
Shichi Fukujin, the seven gods of luck. Jurojin is accompanied by a crane
and a tortoise. He is painted riding a white stag, smiling like a friendly
old gentleman. |
Kagutsuchi |
Japanese |
Japanese |
Japanese god of fire, son of Izanagi and Izanami. His mother was so badly
burned when she gave birth to that she died. Izanagi cut his son in eight
pieces and from the body eight mountain gods emerged and from the blood
came forth eight gods. Kagutsuchi is an alternate name of Ho-Masubi. |
Kamaitachi |
Japanese |
Japanese |
A Japanese monster that looks like a weasel, although it moves so fast no
one has ever gotten a good look. They usually assault a victim as a team,
where the first knocks down the victim, the second slashes him with its
teeth, and the third heals the wound. The word kama means "sickle" and
itachi means "weasel". |
Kami Kaze |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese god of the wind, storms and bad cold. When the Mongolian
fleet tried to invade Japan, Kami-kaze blew the fleet away. In World War
II, Japanese pilots where named after him. They flew suicidal missions
with planes, loaded with bombs, crashing into enemy ships. |
Kaminari |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese Thunder Woman, also known as "Heaven's Noise". She has been
seen by some people in the shape of a heavenly queen. |
Kirin |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese unicorn, an animal-god who punishes the wicked with its
single horn. It protects the just and grants them good luck. Seeing a
kirin is considered an omen of extreme good luck - if one is a virtuous
person. |
Kishijoten |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese goddess of luck and of beauty. She is the patroness of song
and dance, protectress of the geishas. She is the sister of the war god
Bishamon. |
Komoku |
Japanese |
Japanese |
One of the guardians of the four cardinal directions in Japanese myth. He
guards the west. |
Koshin |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese god of the roads. Travelers used to offer little straw horses
for a safe journey. |
Kunitsu Kami |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese gods of the earth. They are the earthly kami, and bring
welfare to humankind. |
Kura Okami |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese god of rain and snow. |
Magatama |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The sacred stones of Shinto. They are pear-shaped pieces of crystal
(agate, jasper, etc.) and are used for religious purposes. |
Marisha Ten |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese queen of heaven, goddess of light, of sun and moon. |
Miyazu Hime |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese goddess of royalty, wife of the storm-god Susanowa. She has a
shrine in Atsuta. |
Monju Bosatsu |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The bodhisattva of wisdom and knowledge. |
Nai No Kami |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese god of earthquakes. He was introduced in the Japanese
pantheon around the 7th century CE. |
Nakatsu Hime |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The goddess of the Eight Island Country directly below heaven. Her name
means "The Lady of the Middle World". |
Nikobo |
Japanese |
Japanese |
A Japanese exorcist. The story goes that the wife of the governor of
Nikaido district was terrible ill. Nikibo cured her but the governor
refused to pay him, having him executed instead. The exorcist then went to
live on top of a tree as a ball of fire. Inside the fire his face could
still be seen. Shortly after, the governor died of a mysterious disease. |
Nurikabe |
Japanese |
Japanese |
A Nurikabe is, in Japanese folklore, a huge invisible wall that blocks a
traveler's way on a road. It is said that a Nurikabe manifests in its
visible form and that it looks like a huge stone wall with pairs of small
arms and legs. When people are walking for a long time without reaching
their destination, the delay is blamed on the Nurikabe. |
Oanomochi |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The god of the crater of Mount Fuji. |
Okuni Nushi |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese Shinto god of magic and medicine, son of the storm god
Susanowa. He died twice and was resurrected both times, and as such he is
the symbol of the dying and budding nature. He was the ruler of the earth
until the sun goddess Amaterasu sent her grandson Ninigi to rule in his
place. In compensation he was made ruler of the unseen world of spirits
and magic. Okuninushi descended to the underworld and, after many tests,
managed to disarm his father and took his sword. |
Onamuji |
Japanese |
Japanese |
A Japanese earth god. He is the son of the storm god Susanowa. |
Oyamatsumi |
Japanese |
Japanese |
A Japanese mountain god. |
Raicho |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese Thunder-Bird. It looks like a rook, but can make a terrible
noise. The creature lives in a pine tree. |
Raiden |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese god of thunder (rai) and lightning (den). He prevented the
Mongols from invading Japan in 1274. Sitting on a cloud he sent forth a
shower of lighting arrows upon the invading fleet. Only three men escaped.
Raiden is portrayed as a red demon with sharp claws, carrying a large
drum. He is fond of eating human navels. The only protection against him
is to hide under a mosquito net. |
Ryo Wo |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese god of the sea, called 'the Dragon King'. |
Sae No Kami |
Japanese |
Japanese |
A group of Japanese deities who guard the roads. |
Samebito |
Japanese |
Japanese |
A black monster with green glowing eyes and a spike beard from Japanese
mythology. On the Long Bridge the monster encountered the hero Totaro, but
instead of attacking him, the monster entreated him to give it food and
shelter. It turned out that the sea-king had expelled it from the ocean. |
Sarudahiko |
Japanese |
Japanese |
In Japanese myth, an earth-god who offered to guide the divine
Ninigi-no-mikoto when he descended to take charge of the earth. He waited
at a crossroad but his brilliance was noted by the other gods who sent
down Uzume to inquire who he was and why he waited there. |
Sengen |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The goddess of the sacred mountain of Fujiyama and the blossom-goddess.
She guards the secret well of eternal youth, dispensing its water of life
to only a few people. Her shrine is located at the top of the mountain.
Worshippers greet the rising sun there. Sengen is often referred to
Ko-no-Hana-Saku-ya-Hime ("the princess who makes the tree-blossom bloom")
and Asama ("dawn of good luck"). Sengen is depicted as a young girl
scattering tsubaki, pink blossom. She is also known as Ko-no-Hana. |
Shi Ryo |
Japanese |
Japanese |
In Japanese myth, a ghost, a dead man visiting the living at night. |
Shiko Me |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The "ugly ones," personifications of the calamities that can affect
people, such as accidents, curses, epidemics, illness, misery, misfortune,
and poverty. They inhabit the region under the earth called Yomi-T'su-Kuni,
the "land of darkness." When they rise up from the underworld to annoy
humans they assume the form of demons, usually female. |
Shoden |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese name for the Indian elephant-god of wisdom, Ganesa. |
Shoki |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The god of the afterlife and exorcism. He is the chief enemy of the oni, a
group of devils. Shoki is similar to the Chinese Zhong kui. |
Suijin |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The kami (deity) of the water in Japanese cosmology, or a water-nymph. The
Suijin-Matsuri is celebrated on December 1. |
Susanowa |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese Shinto god of the winds, the storms, and the ocean, also the
god of snakes. He was born from the nose of Izanagi, and was given
dominion over the seas. His sister, the sun goddess Amaterasu, is also his
consort. Susanowa (Susanoto) is the personification of evil, but also a
brave, if lawless and impetuous, god. His outrages are not limited to the
ocean; he also ravages the land with his storms and he darkens the sky,
thus angering the 'eight million deities (the kami). |
Takami Musubi |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The primordial sky god of Japanese Shintoism, the Creator. He is the great
generative spirit of divine love from whom all beings spring. He rules the
world together with his wife Amaterasu. He is the grandfather of
Ninigi-no-mikoto, the founder of the Japanese imperial dynasty. |
Tenjin |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese god of learning and calligraphy. He taught humans to write
their language. |
Tenshi |
Japanese |
Japanese |
Japanese angels. They are not only the messengers of the gods, but also
work for the benefit of people. They prevented the kobo (priest) Daishi
from sacrificing his life by throwing himself from a high rock, telling
him that a lifetime of teaching the lore of Buddha is better than
propitiation. |
Uga Jin |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese serpent-god of the waters, and god of the fertility of the
earth. |
Ujigami |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Ujigami are Japanese ancestral spirits and the patrons of families (uji
"family lineage"). Living relatives may ask their house-god for an oracle
in case of illness. |
Uzume |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese Shinto goddess of joy and happiness, called the Daughter of
Heaven and Heaven's Forthright Female. Her name means "whirling". She is
also the goddess of good health, which people obtain from drinking the
blessed water of her stream. When the sun goddess Amaterasu had hidden
herself in a cave, thus covering the earth in darkness and infertility, it
was Uzume who brought her back. With her provoking and curlew dances she
managed to make the gods laugh so hard, that Amaterasu left the cave
intrigued. Her emerging brought light and life back to earth. Her brother
Ninigi married Uzume to the deity who guards the Floating Bridge to
Heaven. |
Wakahiru Me |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese goddess of the rising sun. |
Yama No Kami |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Japanese goddess of the hunt, forest, agriculture, and vegetation. |
Yamato |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The soul of Japan, the Japanese spirit. It is the very core and essence of
the Japanese nation before its real history began. |
Yasha |
Japanese |
Japanese |
A vampire-bat from Japanese mythology. It is believed that it is the
spirit of a woman whose anger lowered her status in rebirth. |
Yofune Nushi |
Japanese |
Japanese |
A sea-serpent from Japanese mythology. It lived in cave under the rocks of
the Oki Island's cost. Every year on the night of June 13, the serpent had
to be offered a fair maiden. If this was refused, the creature would cause
storms and destroy the fishing fleet. One year, a young girl, called
Tokoyo, volunteered to go as the serpent's next victim. When the monster
approached her, ready to devour her, she pulled a knife and slashed at its
eyes, blinding it. When the serpent reared back in pain and confusion,
Tokoyo slew it. |
Yomi |
Japanese |
Japanese |
In Japanese myth, Yomi ("night-heart") is the netherworld. |
Yomi No Kuni |
Japanese |
Japanese |
In Japanese Shinto-belief, this is the underworld in which horrible
creatures guard the exits. However, this is not exactly a place like other
Hells where the souls of the deceased are tortured without hope of
redemption. Yomi-no-kuni is more a place where the souls are cleansed.
This particular view was introduced after Izanami's descent into this
realm and Izanagi's ritual cleansing in the river after his return from
the underworld. |
Yosho |
Japanese |
Japanese |
A Japanese saint whose spirit lives on to help people. |
Yuki Onna |
Japanese |
Japanese |
The Lady of the Snow, the Snow Queen or Winter Ghost in Japanese
mythology. Sometimes she appears as an earthly woman, marries and has
children, but sometimes she will disappear in a white mist. |
Abraxis |
Judaic |
Judaic |
An angel mentioned in the Gnostic tradition that appears later on Jewish
amulets and in Medieval Jewish angelologies. |
Adonaiel |
Judaic |
Judaic |
An angel mentioned in the Testament of Solomon. |
Akatriel Yah |
Judaic |
Judaic |
A super-angelic figure mentioned in Talmud Ber. 7. In this passage he is
seen sitting on the Throne of God and the voice of God speaks through him.
This enigmatic passage has been subject to much interpretation; some
scholars regard Akatriel to be yet another name for Metatron, while others
theorize that perhaps Akatriel is the personification of God's Glory.
Extra-Talmudic texts only deepen the confusion. One angel-adjuring text
includes Akatriel in a list of seven angels. On the other hand, a Cairo
Geniza fragment clearly regards Akatriel-Yah to be a name of God. |
Alitha |
Judaic |
Judaic |
A fantastic beast capable of extinguishing any fire (Midrash ha-Gadol). |
Archons |
Judaic |
Judaic |
Gnostic controllers of the seven spheres. |
Asmodeus |
Judaic |
Judaic |
An evil spirit. He appears in the Apocryphal book of Tobit. Although he is
described in later literature as the king of demons, in Jewish folklore he
is mischievous and lively, a figure of fun and often a friend to people.
He is said to disturb marital happiness, and it was Asmodeus who strangled
the seven husbands of Sara during her wedding-night. |
Belial |
Judaic |
Judaic |
Belial is the evil spirit of darkness and godlessness in the Jewish myth
of old Palestine. In the Old Testament there is mentioning of Belial-men:
they are those who oppose to law and order. Belial can also be compared
with Satan. |
Chayyot |
Judaic |
Judaic |
"[Holy] Beasts." Angelic entities that pull the divine chariot. Formed of
fire and light, they sing praises to God, but also have flaming breath
that is a threat to other angels. They can smell when a living human
enters the precincts of heaven. (Midrash Konen). |
Dagon |
Judaic |
Judaic |
Dagon was the principal deity of the Philistines, whose ancestors migrated
to Palestinian shores from Crete. He was the god of fertility and crops.
Dagon also figured prominently in the Philistine concepts of death and the
afterlife. In addition to his role in the religion of the Philistines,
Dagon was worshipped in the more general society of Canaanite peoples.
Some years after the arrival of the Minoan forefathers of the Philistines,
the immigrants adopted elements of Canaanite religion. Eventually the
primary religious focus shifted. The worship of the Great Mother, the
original religion of the Philistines, was traded for the paying of homage
to the Canaanite deity, Dagon. |
Demiurge |
Judaic |
Judaic |
In the dualistic Gnostic theology, the creator of the material world,
which is evil by nature. Hence he was identified by the early Christian
Gnostic heretics with Yahweh. |
Dibbuk |
Judaic |
Judaic |
The spirit or soul of a dead person that inhabits the body of a living
one, with sometimes evil, sometimes positive results. |
Golem |
Judaic |
Judaic |
In Jewish legend, a golem is an image or form that is given life through a
magical formula, such as the power of the letters of the divine name. The
word is used to denote anything that is not yet fully developed. In the
Middle Ages is was believed that there were wise men who could instill
life in effigies by the use of a magic spell. These golems then took the
form of a robot, or automaton. They would carry out their master's command
and could perform easy tasks, as well as protecting their creators. See
also: Rabbi Loeb and the Golem of Prague. |
Hadarniel |
Judaic |
Judaic |
A powerful angel who challenged Moses on Mount Sinai before he received
the Ten Commandments. This angel is sixty myriads of parasangs taller than
his fellows, and at every word that passes out of his mouth, issue twelve
thousand fiery lightning flashes. |
Kavvana |
Judaic |
Judaic |
Devotion, purpose, meaning'. In Jewish mysticism the heart's intention to
unite with God. |
Lotan |
Judaic |
Judaic |
In Syro-Palestinian myth, a monstrous primeval serpent who was slain by
Baal. In the Hebrew dialect of the Old Testament, he is referred to a
Leviathan. |
Makon |
Judaic |
Judaic |
One of the seven heavens, it is the level that warehouses all celestial
precipitations: rain, snow, hail, dew, as well as the winds, storms and
vapors (Chag. 12b-13a). |
Mastema |
Judaic |
Judaic |
The name of the devil in the Book of Jubilees. According to this book,
Mastema is the chief of the evil spirits who tested Abraham and killed the
first-born of the Egyptians. |
Mazikeen |
Judaic |
Judaic |
The ancient Hebrews mentioned little winged, elf-like beings called
Mazikeen. These tiny creatures could change themselves into whatever shape
they desired. |
Moloch |
Judaic |
Judaic |
"King". The sun god of the Canaanites (Ammonites?) in old Palestine and
sometimes associated with the Sumerian Baal, although Moloch (or Molekh)
was entirely malevolent. In the 8th-6th century BCE, firstborn children
were sacrificed to him by the Israelites in the Valleye of Hinnom,
south-east of Jerusalem (see also Gehenna). These sacrifices to the sun
god were made to renew the strength of the sun fire. This ritual was
probably borrowed from surrounding nations, and was also popular in
ancient Carthage. |
Nahum |
Judaic |
Judaic |
"Comforter". The seventh of the minor prophets. Probably an exile in
Assyria. The approximate time of prophecy is 726-698 BCE. His book relates
to the fall of Nineveh. |
Nechushtan |
Judaic |
Judaic |
Monotheism abhors graven images to such an extent, that it has often tried
to impress upon its followers the erroneous belief that the deity and its
image are one and the same. Actually, in all polytheistic religions, the
image is only the god's representation and temporary dwelling place,
though it is endowed with special powers by the deity. The god or goddess
generally has a separate permanent dwelling place, be it Olympus,
Valhalla, the sky, the sea, or as in the case of the original Yahweh, a
fiery active desert volcano. Judaism does not acknowledge any god but the
Lord, who has many names (God, Yahweh, Jehovah, Elohim, Adonai, etc.) but
only one presence. |
Obizoth |
Judaic |
Judaic |
A demoness that strangles children (Testament of Solomon). |
Ozhiya |
Judaic |
Judaic |
Angel summoning texts identify Ozhiya as the Sar ha-Panim, "the Prince of
the Countenance," indicating this may be an alternative name for Metatron. |
Padkaras |
Judaic |
Judaic |
An angel of the Divine Countenance mentioned in Maasah Merkavah. |
Piznai |
Judaic |
Judaic |
A lilot/succubus who seduces men and breeds demon children from their
semen. |
Ragshiel |
Judaic |
Judaic |
Angel of Dreams, sometimes equated with the Baal ha-Chalom/Sar ha-Chalom.
He can be summoned to answer dream questions. |
Rahav |
Judaic |
Judaic |
A cosmic sea monster. Talmud call him the "Prince of the Sea," echoing a
Canaanite name for their sea god, "Prince River." God slew him when he
refused to help in creating the earth. The lethal stink of his carcass is
concealed by the oceans, which is why they smell so strange (B.B. 74b).
Rahav may be an alternative name for Leviathan, though some sources treat
them as two different entities. |
Re Em |
Judaic |
Judaic |
Many monsters were created on the Sixth Day, some destroyed during the
Flood, some still with us. The re'em is described as a giant even among
these strange animals. At any given time, only two exist, one male and one
female, because had more of them existed, the world could not support
them. No one is certain what the re'em looks like. The sources describe
him as fierce, fast, and indomitable. Scholars argue about the number of
his horns, some say he has one, like a unicorn or a rhinoceros. Some say
two, and he could be related to the giant aurochs (Bos primigenius), a
species of a wild ox that became extinct during the sixteenth century. On
the other hand, he may be a purely mythological creature, based on the
bas-reliefs of the huge Mesopotamian and Egyptian beasts that were
unquestionably familiar to the Jews of the Talmudic era. |
Reshef |
Judaic |
Judaic |
"Plague." A demon first mentioned in the Bible (Hab. 3:5). |
Shekhina |
Judaic |
Judaic |
Judaism is a monotheistic religion, strongly connected to a patriarchal
God - Yahweh. It may surprise many people to discover that a goddess was
associated with Judaism from its conception, and continued to play an
important part, in various forms, to the present. The goddess is best
known as Shekhina, a Talmudic term describing the manifestation of God's
presence on earth. |
Sheol |
Judaic |
Judaic |
The Semitic equivalent of the classical concept of Hades. The word has
been derived from a number of roots. The two main probable origins seem to
be those from the Assyrian root sha'al ("to consult an oracle") and shilu
("chamber"). The latter derivation seems somewhat more in accordance with
the synonym of pit. Sheol was regarded as an underworld of the dead in
which the shades lived. Hebrew eschatology, although somewhat obscure in
its early phase, probably tended to perpetuate the animistic conception.
The habit of burying the family in communal tombs may also have lent some
meaning to the word. In Sheol the dead continued to live as on earth. |
Sophia |
Judaic |
Judaic |
The Greek word for wisdom. In Proverbs 8 she speaks like a goddess. The
Gnostics conceived Sophia as a saintly spirit. The emperor named his great
cathedral in Constantinople (Istanbul) Hagia Sophia, 'Holy Wisdom'. Some
sources identify her with Siduru sabaut, the Mesopotamian goddess of
paradise. |
Tannin |
Judaic |
Judaic |
"Dragon." With only a few vague references in the Bible, this term is open
to various interpretations, the most mundane being the crocodile. More
imaginative readers understand it to refer to a monstrous serpent or
dragon. Dragons dwell in water and are a menace to navigation (Neh. 2:13;
Isa. 27:1; B.B. 74a-b). At times the word becomes synonymous with
Leviathan. Daniel is credited with battling a dragon and killing it by
filling its mouth with pitch. In the Apocalyptic literature there is a
dragon of monstrous dimensions in Sheol that feeds on the souls of the
wicked (3 Baruch 4-5). Demons will take the form of dragons (B. Kid. 29b).
In Kabbalah, a cosmic blind dragon, Tanin'iver, serves as the steed of
Lilith. (Daniel, Septuagint version; 3 Baruch). |
Tophet |
Judaic |
Judaic |
A high place designated for the sacrifice of children to pagan gods such
as Moloch. Child sacrifice, mostly in time of national or communal crisis,
was an integral element of Western Semitic paganism and tophets were
created not only in Israel and Lebanon, but even in Phoenician colonies
such as Carthage, where child sacrifice was well documented. |
Tzavua |
Judaic |
Judaic |
A ferocious beast whose fur contains 365 colors, mostly likely a Hyena
(Gen. R.). |
Tzelanit |
Judaic |
Judaic |
Arabic, "Shadow [Demon]." A class of demon frequently mentioned in amulets
and demon bowls. It also appears in Targum to Song of Songs. |
Tzohar |
Judaic |
Judaic |
A luminous gemstone holding the primordial light of creation. Those who
possessed it not only had illumination, but access to the secrets of the
Torah and all its powers. God created it, but then hid it away for the
sole use of the righteous. The angel Raziel gave it to Adam after the
Fall. Adam gave to his children. Noah used it to illumine the Ark (Gen.
6:16). Abraham possessed this stone, and used it heal all who came to him.
According to one legend, he returned to heaven and hung it on the sun. But
other traditions track its continued use by the righteous of each
generation. Joseph used it for his dream interpretations. Moses recovered
it from the Bone of Joseph and placed it in the Tabernacle. Zohar claims
that Ben Yochai possessed it in the Rabbinic era (B. B. 16b; Lev. R. 11;
Gen. R 31:11; Zohar I:11; Otzer ha-Midrash). |
Watcher |
Judaic |
Judaic |
A heavenly being in the Book of Daniel. A watcher gives a strange dream to
King Nebuchadnezzar. Watchers also appear in later mystical works. In the
Apocryphal book of Enoch, they are a race of giants, the children of
angels who married human women. God appointed them as his guardians on the
frontiers of his universe, one at every level. |
Yekum |
Judaic |
Judaic |
One of the fallen angels who procured terrestrial girls for his fellow
angels who had come down to enjoy carnal pleasures. |
Zadkiel |
Judaic |
Judaic |
In Rabinnical angelology, the angel of the planet Jupiter. |
Dalnim |
Korean |
Korean |
The moon in Korean mythology, sister of the sun Haenim. |
Haemosu |
Korean |
Korean |
Sun deity, son of the god of heaven, father of Chumong. Riding in his
chariot, Oryonggeo, he descended from the heavens in the morning to hear
the affairs of the people. When evening came, he ascended back into
heaven. This descension-ascension cycle represents the rising and setting
of the sun. |
Hananim |
Korean |
Korean |
The supreme god of ancient Korea. As the master of the universe he moves
the stars. Hananim punishes the wicked, and rewards the good. |
Hwanin |
Korean |
Korean |
The emperor-god of heaven and earth. The term is originally from Indian
Buddhist scriptures, where it means "Lord of Heaven." He allowed his son
Hwanung to descend to earth and found a city on Mount T'aebaek (near
modern P'yeongyang). |
Koeulla |
Korean |
Korean |
The second oldest of three demi-god brothers, appearing in the Samseong
myth. |
Kumiho |
Korean |
Korean |
Kumiho means, literally, "nine-tailed fox." The following description
appears (word for word) in both the Donga Color World Encyclopedia (Tonga
wonsaek segye paekhwasajeon) and the Dusan Great World Encyclopedia (Tusan
segye taebaekhwasajeon): |
Pueulla |
Korean |
Korean |
The youngest of three demi-god brothers, appearing in the Samseong myth. |
Tokebi |
Korean |
Korean |
A goblin-like creature of Korean folklore. |
Ungnyo |
Korean |
Korean |
A bear who changed into a woman. She became to mother of Tangun. |
Yangeulla |
Korean |
Korean |
The eldest of three demi-god brothers, appearing in the Samseong myth. |
Auseklis |
Latvian |
Latvian |
Auseklis (ausma, "dawn"; aust "to dawn") is a Latvian stellar (masculine)
god. In astronomic interpretations usually understood as planet Venus
(there is proof that Venus was called Lielais Auseklis - the Great
Auseklis). He is connected with Meness (the moon), but also with Saule
(the sun). In the myth of the heavenly wedding, he is one of the suitors
of Saules meitas (along with Dieva deli, Meness, and other gods), but in
some versions he is just one of the bride's party. He might also be the
only suitor, the mythic material is not clear enough because there is also
a great number of texts with an obscure hint to Auseklis as the original
bridegroom of Sun's daughter, which is later stolen by Meness (Moon), in
turn being punished by Saule or Perkons. |
Darzamate |
Latvian |
Latvian |
The goddess of gardens. One of 'the mothers', mentioned in Paul Einhorn's
17th century texts describing Latvians and their life (e.g., Historia
Lettica, 1649). After listing the nameless gods the Latvians are said to
have worshipped "in the past" comes another list of deities presiding over
more or less practical aspects of everyday life, mostly in form of "the
mothers" of particular objects and places. Proves the theoretical
assertion that the minor deities are invoked in everyday life, while the
supreme god - only in case of some serious misfortune (see Mircea Eliade's
works). |
Dievini |
Latvian |
Latvian |
Dievini (diminutive plural from dievs) is a collective name for the group
of minor gods of the Latvian pantheon. Mostly, the Dievini act as
protecting and household gods. The word itself seems to be a more recent
construction. Although being less described in the classical folklore,
these could be the deities honored more in day-to-day life as the actual
rulers of the household fortune and therefore of more influence. Eliade
suggests that such deities could be the ones honored more usually than the
higher gods, who were invoked only in case of greater necessity or some
emergency. |
Karta |
Latvian |
Latvian |
The goddess of fate and destiny, similar to Laima and Dekla. Much less
mentioned in the song texts (just 17 texts in Latvju Dainas), still used
to build the "three fates" concept. May be of local origin, known mostly
in just some western districts of Latvia. |
Meness |
Latvian |
Latvian |
The Moon. In a number of texts - protector of travelers and soldiers,
probably as the source of light at night. In Latvian tradition -
masculine, opposed to many other Indo-European mythologies, although there
are linguistic data (G. F. Stender. Neue vollstaendige Lettische
Grammatik. - Braunschweig 1761; J. Lange. Vollstaendiger
lettisch-deutsches Lexicon. - 1773.) supposedly proving the feminine
aspect of Meness. Meness ("moon") is one of the suitors of the sun goddess
Saule or her daughters, Saules meitas. He appears in several mythological
motifs: he counts the stars, and finds out that Auseklis is missing; he is
in hostile relations with the Sun because he stole Auseklis' bride. He
also appears as a counterpart of Saule, the one who shines at night.
Although Meness is generally masculine in modern language, still in a
number of variants a feminine form appears. |
Meza Virs |
Latvian |
Latvian |
The Latvian god of forests. Rather obscure and little used. Mentioned by
Paul Einhorn, may be a substitute for the word "wolf" - vilks used to
avoid invoking the beast. |
Ragana |
Latvian |
Latvian |
Ragana ("witch") is a seeress who reveals the future and knows how to
control supernatural powers. Later she is degraded to a witch bringing
misfortune to humans and animals, very likely by Christian diazotization.
At the same time the semantic attitude in the word is not entirely
negative. Etymology comes from redzet - 'to see'. |
Saule |
Latvian |
Latvian |
Saule ("the sun") is the most powerful of Latvian heavenly goddesses. She
is the goddess of the sun and of fertility, the patroness of all
unfortunate people, especially orphans (as the only one to substitute the
mother, to warm the child; mother is compared to Saule speaking of
kindness, and bride as speaking of beauty). She is the mother of Saules
meitas or meita (plural or singular). She is said to live on the top of
the heavenly mountain (some model of world), where she rides during the
day in her chariot. At night she sails with her boat on the world sea. The
motif of permanent motion is apparent in this image, as well as the idea
of the sun shining somewhere else during the night. Of course, the
diachronic aspect is to be taken into account. In several cases she
appears as the ruler in heaven, especially in relations with Meness. |
Vadatajs |
Latvian |
Latvian |
Demons who are responsible for making people lose their way in forests.
They also send a traveler in the wrong direction on crossroads, so that
this person's soul loses its way as well. The Vadatajs ("leading to
nowhere") often assume the shape of an animal, but also that of a human
being. They belong to the same lower level of deities as Dievini, Pukis
and Ragana. |
Velns |
Latvian |
Latvian |
Velns ("devil") is an extremely contradictory personage. In folksong texts
the word is mentioned mostly in idioms and exclamations (i.e., what the
hell/devil...), but also the mother of a bridegroom or husband is called
Velna mate "Devil's mother", displaying complete demythologization. In
general Latvian devil as the evil spirit appears to be a result of
Christian diazotization. |
Vilkacis |
Latvian |
Latvian |
Vilkacis (to be translated literally as "wolf's eyes"; 'werewolf') is
usually a malicious creature; a scary being people can turn into. There
are particular ways how the people with this curse turn into the wolves
and then get their human appearance back. There are particular places,
where this is said to have happened. Although mostly malevolent, on
occasion it would bring treasures. It belongs to the same lower level of
mythological beings as Dievini, Ragana, Pukis and Vadatajs. It is not
clear whether Vilkacis it is human flesh or just the soul that transforms,
as their are accounts of moving an apparently asleep person whose soul is
out "running as a werewolf", after what the person turns out to be dead,
as the soul couldn't enter the flesh to return. |
Ah Chembekur |
Maya |
Maya |
A Mayan god of the "highest of the seven heavens, ... which is in complete
darkness." The Lacandon, Mexico and Guatemala. |
Ah Chuy Kak |
Maya |
Maya |
A Mayan war god, known as the Fire Destroyer. |
Ah Hulneb |
Maya |
Maya |
The Mayan god of war. |
Ahau Kin |
Maya |
Maya |
"Lord of the Sun Face". The Mayan sun god, Ahau-Kin possessed both daytime
and nocturnal aspects. In his daytime manifestation, the sun god was often
depicted with some jaguar features. However, between sunset and sunrise he
actually became the Jaguar god, the Lord of the underworld, as he
travelled from west to east through the lower regions of the world. |
Ahulane |
Maya |
Maya |
A Mayan war god, called The Archer. His shrine was located on the island
of Cozumel. |
Bacabs |
Maya |
Maya |
In Mayan mythology, a group of four protective deities, the sons of
Itzamna and Ixchel. They are giants who uphold the sky at its cardinal
points. The Bacabs are: Cauac, Ix, Kan, and Mulac. |
Bitol |
Maya |
Maya |
A Mayan sky god, one of the seven gods who created the world and the
humans. |
Cabaguil |
Maya |
Maya |
One of the seven Maya gods who assisted in the creation of the world and
of mortals. Referred to as Heart of the Sky. |
Cabrakan |
Maya |
Maya |
The Mayan god of earthquakes and mountains. Son of the giant Vucub Caquix
and Chimalmat. His brother is Zipacna. |
Cakulha |
Maya |
Maya |
Subordinate to Yaluk, and ruler of the lesser lightning bolts. |
Camulatz |
Maya |
Maya |
The Mayan bird who tore off the heads of the first men who Hurakan
destroyed in a flood. |
Chirakan |
Maya |
Maya |
The Maya goddess who was brought to the world when four of the gods who
created the world split themselves up and became four additional beings. |
Ekchuah |
Maya |
Maya |
The Mayan fierce and violent god of war, associated with fallen warriors.
He is also the patron of merchants and hence was portrayed carrying a sack
of merchandise on his back. He is represented as a black man with a
black-rimmed eye, a hanging lower lip and a scorpion tail. Ekchuah is the
so-called 'God M'. His name means "black war chief". |
Gucumatz |
Maya |
Maya |
The Quiché Maya serpent god. He brought mankind civilization and taught
them the art of agriculture. |
Hunab Ku |
Maya |
Maya |
The supreme god and creator of the Maya. He is the head of the Mayan
pantheon and called 'god of the gods'. Hunab Ku rebuilt the world after
three deluges, which poured from the mouth of a sky serpent. The first
world he created was inhabited by dwarfs, the builders of the cities. The
second world was inhabited by the Dzolob, 'the offenders', an obscure
race. The third and final world Hunab Ku created for the Maya themselves
(who are destined to be overcome by a fourth flood). The god Itzamna is
his son. He is similar to the Aztec Ometeotl. |
Hurakan |
Maya |
Maya |
Hurakan is the ancient Mayan god of wind and storm. He visits the anger of
the gods upon humanity by bringing about the Flood. He is a creator god
who according to legend dwelt in the mists hanging over the primeval
flood, in the form of the wind, ceaselessly repeating the word "earth"
until the solid world rose from the seas. When the gods became angry with
the first human beings, Hurukan unleashed the deluge which destroyed them.
From his name the word 'hurricane' is derived. Hurakan means "one-legged". |
Itzamna |
Maya |
Maya |
The founder of the Maya culture. He brought his people maize and cacao and
taught them script, healing, and the use of calendars. As the bringer of
culture he became the state-god of the Mayan empire. As the moon-god he
rules over the night. Itzamna is also called 'God D' and bears the title
of 'lord of knowledge'. He is a son of Hunab Ku and with Ixchel he is the
father of the Bacabs. His attributes are the snake and the mussel. |
Ixtab |
Maya |
Maya |
Ixtab is the Maya goddess of the noose and the gallows. She is also the
protector of those who committed suicide. It was believed that those who
committed suicide or died by hanging, together with slain warriors,
sacrificial victums, priests, and woman who died in childbirth, went
straight to eternal rest in paradise. Ixtab gathered them and brought them
there. |
Kianto |
Maya |
Maya |
The Lacandon Maya god of foreigners and diseases. |
Mahucutah |
Maya |
Maya |
"The Distinguished Name". The third Man created by Hurakan from white and
yellow maize paste, after he flooded the world. |
Mitnal |
Maya |
Maya |
The Mayan realm of the dead. It is the ninth and lowest level of the
underworld; a place of eternal cold and darkness. This is where the souls
of those who lived a bad life are sent to. The ruler of Mitnal is the god
Hunhau. |
Mulac |
Maya |
Maya |
A Mayan giant, one of the Bacabs. Mulac stands in the north. His color is
white. |
Nacon |
Maya |
Maya |
Nacon was the Mayan god of war. |
Tlacolotl |
Maya |
Maya |
The Mayan god of evil. |
Tzakol |
Maya |
Maya |
A Mayan sky god. |
Voltan |
Maya |
Maya |
A Mayan god of the earth. |
Xaman Ek |
Maya |
Maya |
The snub-nosed Mayan god of the North Star. He is the protector and guide
of merchants and traders. On altars erected on roadsides offerings where
made to him. |
Yaluk |
Maya |
Maya |
In Mayan myth, the chief of the lightning gods. |
Zipacna |
Maya |
Maya |
Zipacna was a great giant in Mayan mythology, written about in the Popul
Vuh, a compilation of Mayan myths and legends. He was brother of Cabrakan
and son of Vucub Caquix, the Great Macaw. These three were considered by
the gods to be the most arrogant of all at that time. They therefore
dispatched the hero twins, Hun-Apu and Ixbalanque to slay them. These two
boys were the undoing of this great giant. The creation of the Pleiades
star cluster is also attributed to Zipacna. |
Agurzil |
Mediterranean |
Berber |
Berber god of war, represented by a head of bull by the Luwata nomads. |
Ammon |
Mediterranean |
Berber |
Oracle god |
Sinifer |
Mediterranean |
Berber |
God of war among the Luwata |
Warsisima |
Mediterranean |
Berber |
Without name |
Triton |
Mediterranean |
Greek |
Son of god of the deep. |
Mextli |
Mesoamerican |
Aztec |
A god of war and storms |
Mictlan |
Mesoamerican |
Aztec |
The underworld |
Nahual |
Mesoamerican |
Aztec |
A shapeshifting sorcerer or witch |
Tlalocan |
Mesoamerican |
Aztec |
First paradise |
Tzompantli |
Mesoamerican |
Aztec |
Wooden rack or palisade documented in several Mesoamerican civilizations,
which was used for the public display of human skulls, typically those of
war captives or other sacrificial victims. |
Xocotl |
Mesoamerican |
Aztec |
Star god associated with fire |
Amurru |
Mesopotamian |
Akkadian |
An Akkadian mountain god and a god of nomads. He is equated with the
Sumerian god Martu. His consort is Beletseri. |
Anunnaku |
Mesopotamian |
Akkadian |
The Akkadian name for a group of gods of the underworld. They function as
judges in the realm of the dead. Their counterparts are the Igigi
(although in some texts the positions are reversed). The Annunaku show
many similarities with the Sumerian Anunna. The Anunnaku are the offspring
of Anu. |
Beletseri |
Mesopotamian |
Akkadian |
An Akkadian goddess and 'clerk' of the underworld. She holds the title of
'Queen of the Desert' and is the consort of Amurru, the god of nomads. |
Ellil |
Mesopotamian |
Akkadian |
The Akkadian god of earth and wind. He is the son of Ansar and Kisar, the
primordial deities, and the father of the moon god Sin. |
Etemmu |
Mesopotamian |
Akkadian |
The Akkadian name for the soul of a dead person who was not buried. This
spirit will wander the earth eternally and can seriously harm people. In
the Sumerian tradition it is called Gidim. |
Lamastu |
Mesopotamian |
Akkadian |
An Akkadian demoness who causes puerperal fever and childhood diseases.
Lamastu is portrayed with bare breasts on which a dog and a pig feed
themselves. She is equivalent to the Sumerian Dimme. |
Adrammelech |
Mesopotamian |
Babylonian |
A Babylonian deity to whom infants were burnt in sacrifice (II Kings xvii,
31). He is possibly the sun god worshipped at Sippar (Sepharvaim) |
Aja |
Mesopotamian |
Babylonian |
The Babylonian dawn goddess and consort of the sun god. |
Arazu |
Mesopotamian |
Babylonian |
The Babylonian god of completed construction. |
Belit Sheri |
Mesopotamian |
Babylonian |
Babylonian scribe of the underworld who kept the records of human
activities so she could advise the queen of the dead on their final
judgement. |
Damkina |
Mesopotamian |
Babylonian |
An ancient Sumero-Babylonian goddess, consort of Enki, ruler of Apsu at
Eridu. |
Erra |
Mesopotamian |
Babylonian |
The Babylonian god of war, death, and other disasters. |
Kaksisa |
Mesopotamian |
Babylonian |
A Babylonian star-god (Sirius). |
Kusag |
Mesopotamian |
Babylonian |
The patron-god of priests in ancient Babylonia. He is the god who is the
high priest of the gods. |
Mammetu |
Mesopotamian |
Babylonian |
The Babylonian goddess of fate and destiny. |
Marduk |
Mesopotamian |
Babylonian |
Literally, "bulf calf of the sun". The son of Ea, and leader of the gods.
He was a fertility god, but originally a god of thunderstorms. His consort
was Sarpanitu |
Ninazu |
Mesopotamian |
Babylonian |
The Babylonian god of magic incantations |
Rimmon |
Mesopotamian |
Babylonian |
The Babylonian god who presided over storms. In the Old Testament, a name
for the ancient Near Eastern storm-god Hadad. Milton identifies him with
one of the fallen angels. |
Tiamat |
Mesopotamian |
Babylonian |
In Babylonian myths, Tiamat is a huge, bloated female dragon that
personifies the saltwater ocean, the water of Chaos. She is also the
primordial mother of all that exists, including the gods themselves. Her
consort is Apsu, the personification of the freshwater abyss that lies
beneath the Earth. From their union, saltwater with freshwater, the first
pair of gods were born. They are Lachmu and Lachamu, parents of Ansar and
Kisar, grandparents of Anu and Ea. |
Usma |
Mesopotamian |
Babylonian |
The two-faced attendant of the Babylonian god Ea. |
Zakar |
Mesopotamian |
Babylonian |
The Babylonian god of dreams, which were messages from the gods. |
Alauwaimis |
Mesopotamian |
Mesopotamian |
Properly propitiated with ritual, libation, and goat sacrifice, this demon
drives away evil sickness. |
Alu |
Mesopotamian |
Mesopotamian |
A Mesopotamian demon with canine features. He was sometimes portrayed
without legs, ears, or mouth. Alu preferred silence and darkness. |
Anatu |
Mesopotamian |
Mesopotamian |
Mesopotamian goddess, ruler of the earth and queen of the sky |
Anunitu |
Mesopotamian |
Mesopotamian |
An early Babylonian goddess of the moon who was symbolized by a disk with
eight rays. She was later merged with Ishtar. |
Belili |
Mesopotamian |
Mesopotamian |
A Mesopotamian goddess, probably a denizen of the underworld. She is the
sister of Dumuzi. |
Enbilulu |
Mesopotamian |
Mesopotamian |
Enbilulu, Mesopotamian (Sumerian and Babylonian-Akkadian), was a river
god. |
Irkalla |
Mesopotamian |
Mesopotamian |
Another name for Ereshkigal, the Queen of the underworld. |
Isara |
Mesopotamian |
Mesopotamian |
The Syro-Mesopotamian goddess of the oath, and 'queen of judgement and
offer rites'. The Hittites called 'queen of the mountains'. |
Magilum |
Mesopotamian |
Mesopotamian |
The boat of the dead in Mesopotamian mythology. |
Pazuzu |
Mesopotamian |
Mesopotamian |
A winged demon, feared by the people of ancient Mesopotamia. It is a
creature with a deformed head, the wings of an eagle, the sharp claws of a
lion on its hands and feet, and the tail of a scorpion. |
Utukku |
Mesopotamian |
Mesopotamian |
"Demon." A malevolent spirit most often associated with illness. |
Akkan |
Mesopotamian |
Saami |
The Akkan are a quadrinity of Saami Goddesses who oversee conception,
birth and destiny. They are Madderakka, Sarakka, Juksakka and Ugsakka. |
An |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
The Sumerian god of heaven, son of Nammu, father of Enlil, and spouse of
Ki. |
Asalluhi |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
A Sumerian god who assisted in the ritual of exorcism. He is the son of
Enki to whom he reports the evil deeds of the demons. |
Ashnan |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
The Sumerian goddess of grain, daughter of Enlil. She was assigned to the
fertile land of Sumer by Enki. She is a powerful deity, supporting the
people. |
Baba |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
The Sumerian tutelary goddess of the city of Lagash, some 70 kilometers
north of Ur, and patroness of the king. She is also a mother goddess and a
goddess of healing. Baba is the daughter of the sky god An and consort of
the fertility god Ningirsu. People often called her 'mother Baba', and she
was identified with the goddess Gula. |
Basmu |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
A giant snake forty cubits long, with several tongues and jaws. The symbol
of the Sumerian god Nin-gishzida. |
Dilmun |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
The Sumerian paradise, perhaps the Persian Gulf, sometimes described as
'the place where the sun rises' and 'the Land of the Living'. |
Dumuzi |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
The Sumerian form of Tammuz. A god of vegetation and fertility, and also
of the underworld. He is called 'the Shepherd' and 'lord of the
sheepfolds'. As the companion of Nigizzida 'to all eternity' he stands at
the gate of heaven. In the Sumerian Descent of Inanna he is the husband of
the goddess Inanna, the Sumerian counterpart of Ishtar. According to the
Sumerian King-List Gilgamesh was descended from 'Dumuzi a shepherd'. |
Dumuzi |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
The Sumerian form of Tammuz. A god of vegetation and fertility, and also
of the underworld. He is called 'the Shepherd' and 'lord of the
sheepfolds'. |
Dumuziabzu |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
"True child of Abzu." A Sumerian goddess, one of Enki's group. Her main
function was that of a tutelary goddess of the town of Kinirsa. |
Ebeh |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
The mountain god of the Sumerians, which Inanna overcame. |
Enki |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
The Sumerian high god of water and intellect, creation, wisdom and
medicine who could restore the dead to life. He was the source of all
secret and magical knowledge of life and immortality. |
Enkimdu |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
The Sumerian god of farmers, landowners and grain growers. |
Enlil |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
In ancient Sumero-Babylonian myth, Enlil ("lord wind") is the god of air,
wind and storms. |
Enmesarra |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
The Sumerian god of the underworld. He is "lord of all mes" (the powers on
which civilization and society are based on, the divine laws). His wife is
Ninmesarra, "mistress of all humans". |
Ereshkigal |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
The Sumerian and Akkadian goddess of the underworld, sister of the sky
goddess Ishtar. |
Gatumdu |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
A Sumerian goddess, daughter of An. She was the local mother-goddess of
the city-state of Lagas. |
Gilgamesh |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
The great hero of Sumerian and Babylonian epic poetry. He is the precursor
of Heracles and other folk heroes. |
Inanna |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
Inanna is the most important goddess of the Sumerian pantheon in ancient
Mesopotamia. She is a goddess of love, fertility, and war. |
Ishtar |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
Ishtar was the ancient Sumero-Babylonian goddess of love and fertility. |
Namtar |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
A minor god of the underworld in Sumerian mythology, Namtar was regarded
as the bringer of disease and pestilence. |
Nergal |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
Nergal is an ancient Sumero-Babylonian deity and the god of the
netherworld, where he rules with his consort Ereshkigal. |
Ningirsu |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
At Sumero-Babylonian god of rain, irrigation, and fertility; probably an
earlier form on Ninurta. |
Ninkarrak |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
The Babylonian and Sumerian goddess of healing who nursed sick humans. |
Ninkasi |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
A Sumerian goddess of intoxicating drink. Every day she prepares beer for
the other gods. |
Sataran |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
The patron god of the Sumerian city Der in ancient Mesopotamia. He is a
divine judge and healer. In the latter capacity the snake god Nirah is his
messenger. |
Shamash |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
The sun. For the Sumerians he was principally the judge and law-giver with
some fertility attributes. |
Sibzianna |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
A Sumerian star-god; Orion. |
Ziusudra |
Mesopotamian |
Sumerian |
"He saw life". The hero of a Sumerian poem of the Deluge. He is again
mentioned in a third-century BCE story by a Greek-speaking priest of
Babylon named Berossus, although here the hero's name is written as
Xisuthros or Sisuthros. |
Agasaya |
Middle East |
Akkadian |
War goddess who was merged into Ishtar in her identity as warrior of the
sky. |
Anshur |
Middle East |
Akkadian |
Means "sky pivot" or "sky axle", is a sky god. |
Gerra |
Middle East |
Akkadian |
God of fire |
Ishara |
Middle East |
Akkadian |
Word for "treaty, binding promise", also personified as a goddess of the
oath. |
Ishum |
Middle East |
Akkadian |
God of fire and, according to texts, led the gods in war as a herald but
was nonetheless generally regarded as benevolent. |
Kishar |
Middle East |
Akkadian |
Kishar represents the earth as a counterpart to Anshar, the sky, and can
be seen as an earth mother goddess. |
Lahamu |
Middle East |
Akkadian |
Lahamu is sometimes seen as a serpent, and sometimes as a woman with a red
sash and six curls on her head. |
Lakhmu |
Middle East |
Akkadian |
Sometimes depicted as a snake. meant "the muddy one" and it was a title
given to the gatekeeper of the Abzu temple of Enki at Eridu. |
Marduk |
Middle East |
Akkadian |
God connected with water, vegetation, judgement, and magic. |
Nanaja |
Middle East |
Akkadian |
Goddess of war and sex |
Ninegal |
Middle East |
Akkadian |
God, the patron deity of smiths. |
Ukur |
Middle East |
Akkadian |
God of the underworld. |
Abgal |
Middle East |
Arabian |
Pre-Islamic north Arabian god, known from the Palmyrian desert regions as
a tutelary god of Bedouins and camel drivers. |
Aglibol |
Middle East |
Arabian |
Lunar deity in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra. His name means "Calf of
Bel" |
Atargatis |
Middle East |
Arabian |
Syrian deity, "the great mistress of the North Syrian lands" |
Manat |
Middle East |
Arabian |
One of the three chief goddesses of Mecca. |
Nergal |
Middle East |
Arabian |
Nergal actually seems to be in part a solar deity, sometimes identified
with Shamash, but only a representative of a certain phase of the sun. |
Nusku |
Middle East |
Assyrian |
Light and fire-god |
Tiamat |
Middle East |
Babylonian |
The sea, personified as a goddess, and a monstrous embodiment of
primordial chaos. |
Anat |
Middle East |
Canaanite |
Virgin goddess of War and Strife |
Asherah |
Middle East |
Canaanite |
Walker of the sea, Mother Goddess |
Dagon |
Middle East |
Canaanite |
God of crop fertility |
El |
Middle East |
Canaanite |
Supreme god |
Eshmun |
Middle East |
Canaanite |
God of healing |
Kathirat |
Middle East |
Canaanite |
Goddesses of marriage and pregnancy |
Kothar |
Middle East |
Canaanite |
The skilled, god of craftsmanship |
Lotan |
Middle East |
Canaanite |
Serpent ally of evil |
Melqart |
Middle East |
Canaanite |
King of the city, the underworld and cycle of vegetation in Tyre |
Moloch |
Middle East |
Canaanite |
King of child sacrifices |
Mot |
Middle East |
Canaanite |
God of Death |
Qadeshtu |
Middle East |
Canaanite |
Holy One, Goddess of Love |
Resheph |
Middle East |
Canaanite |
God of Plague and healing |
Shemesh |
Middle East |
Canaanite |
Sun God |
Tehwom |
Middle East |
Canaanite |
Goddess of the "Deeps" |
Yarikh |
Middle East |
Canaanite |
God of the moon, lover of Nikkal |
Amonet |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Amun/Amunet originally were the aspects of the primordial concept of air. |
Amun |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Gradually, as god of air, he came to be associated with the breath of
life. |
Anubis |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Anubis takes various titles in connection with his funerary role, such as
He who is upon his mountain, which underscores his importance as a
protector of the deceased and their tombs |
Atum |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
His name is thought to be derived from the word 'tem' which means to
complete or finish. |
Bakha |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
The manifestation of the a deification of Ka (power/life-force) of the war
god Menthu |
Chonsu |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Ancient lunar deity |
Chonsu |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Travels across the night sky, for it means The Wanderer, and also had the
titles Embracer, Pathfinder, and Defender |
Hathor |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Hathor was an ancient goddess, and was worshipped as a cow-deity |
Hedetet |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
A scorpion-goddess |
Heka |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
The deification of magic, his name being the Egyptian word for magic. |
Heryshaf |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
One of his titles was “Ruler of the Riverbanks.” |
Horus |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
His name is believed to mean "the high," "the far-off," [4] "he who is
above," or "that which is above"[5] and his earliest connections are to
the sky and kingship |
Imset |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Funerary deity, one of the Four sons of Horus |
Khepera |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Associated with the dung beetle (kheper), whose behavior of maintaining
spherical balls of dung represents the forces which move the sun. |
Khnum |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Originally the god of the source of the Nile River. He was thought to be
the creator of the bodies of human children |
Menthu |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Falcon-god, of war. |
Meret |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Meret was usually depicted with an offering bowl, as she was seen, being
his wife, as the symbolic recipient of his generosity. |
Naunet |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
The female deity associated with the primordial watery abyss, the female
aspect of the deity, represented as a snake or snake-headed woman. |
Nehebkau |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Since these aspects of the soul were said to bind after death, Nehebkau
was said to have guarded the entrance to Duat, the underworld. |
Nephthys |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Known in a wide spectrum of ancient Egyptian temple theologies and
cosmologies as "The Useful Goddess" or the "Excellent Goddess" |
Pakhet |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Lioness war deities |
Ptah |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Ptah who called the world into being, having dreamt creation in his heart,
and speaking it, his name meaning opener. |
Satis |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Goddess. Deification of the floods of the Nile River |
Sobek |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Deification of crocodiles |
Tenenit |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Goddess of beer. |
Thoth |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
Thoth served as a mediating power, especially between good and evil,
making sure neither had a decisive victory over the other.[ |
Unut |
Middle East |
Egyptian |
She had the form of a snake and was called "The swift one". |
Azrael |
Middle East |
Islam |
The angel of death |
Jibril |
Middle East |
Islam |
Islam version the archangel Gabriel |
Jinn |
Middle East |
Islam |
Creatures of fire; along with angels and humans, one of the three
intelligent beings created by God |
Shaitan |
Middle East |
Islam |
Devil |
Ashima |
Middle East |
Semetic |
Goddess of fate |
Anu |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
A sky-god, the god of heaven, lord of constellations, king of gods,
spirits and demons, and dwelt in the highest heavenly regions. |
Apkallu |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
Seven spirits in total, they are protective spirits and are represented as
mermen, part man, part fish |
Apsu |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
The name for the mythological underground freshwater ocean |
Ashnan |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
The goddess of grain in Mesopotamia. |
Damu |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
God of vegetation and rebirth |
Dazimua |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
A goddess in Sumerian mythology, one of the eight deities born to relieve
the illness of Enki |
Dzakar |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
Messenger of the god Sin |
Emesh |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
God of vegetation. |
Endursaga |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
Herald god in the Sumerian mythology. He leads the pantheon, particularly
in times of conflict. |
Enki |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
Deity of crafts |
Enkimdu |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
God of farming, in charge of canals and ditches |
Enten |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
A guardian of farmers |
Gatumdag |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
Fertility goddess in Sumerian mythology. |
Hanbi |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
A god of evil, lord of all evil spirits |
Hendursaga |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
God of law |
Inanna |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
Goddess of sexual love, fertility, and warfare. |
Istaran |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
God. The beast and symbol of Ištaran, as frequently represented on
kudurrus, is a snake. |
Ki |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
Goddess and personification of the earth and underworld. |
Kulla |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
God of builders. He is responsible for the creation of bricks, and as a
Babylonian god, restores temples. |
Mammetun |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
Goddess of fate. |
Martu |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
Sometimes identified as a storm god. |
Mushdamma |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
God of buildings and foundations. |
Namma |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
Creation goddess. |
Nanshe |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
She was a goddess of social justice, prophecy, fertility and fishing. |
Ninazu |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
A god of the underworld, and of healing. |
Ningikuga |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
A goddess of reeds and marshes. |
Ningishzida |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
Underworld god. Patron of medicine, and may also be considered a God of
nature, as his name in Sumerian means "lord of the good tree". |
Ninkasi |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
Ancient Sumerian matron goddess of beer. |
Ninmena |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
Mother goddess |
Ninshubur |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
Her name can be translated as 'Queen of the East', and she was said to be
a messenger and traveller for the other gods. |
Ninurta |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
He is sometimes seen as a solar deity. |
Shara |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
Minor god of war |
Sirara |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
She is given charge over the waters of the Gulf. |
Sirtir |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
Goddess of sheep, and is known from inscriptions and passing comments in
texts. |
Sumugan |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
A god of the river plains. |
Urash |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
Goddess of earth, and one of the consorts of the sky god An. |
Utu |
Middle East |
Sumerian |
God of the sun and of justice, and the implementation of law. |
Polaris |
NA |
NA |
Star |
Bmola |
Native American |
Abanaki |
Bmola, known as Wind Bird, is a giant avian character who stirs up cold
weather and storms. |
Azeban |
Native American |
Abenaki |
A lower level trickster figure, Racoon deceives animals and other beings
for food or other services. |
Kee Zos En |
Native American |
Abenaki |
The solar deity of the Abenaki. He is an eagle who opens his wings to
create the day, and closes them to create the night. Kee-zos-en is a being
from the so-called Ancient Age. |
Pomola |
Native American |
Abenaki |
A bird-spirit / night-spirit in Abenaki myth who causes cold weather. It
allegedly lived on Mt. Katahdin, the highest mountain in Maine, and
resented mortals intruding from below. Hence, the mountain was off limit
to all peoples. |
Mayochina |
Native American |
Acoma |
The spirit of the summer in the belief of the Acoma. |
Moritama |
Native American |
Acoma |
The Acoma spirit of spring. Moritama was believed to chase away the spirit
of winter. |
Pishumi |
Native American |
Acoma |
The Acoma spirit of diseasy, decay, and ultimately death. |
Tsichtinako |
Native American |
Acoma |
The female spirit of the Acoma Indian creation myth. |
Agugux |
Native American |
Aleuts |
The benevolent supreme deity and creator god of the Aleuts (Alaska). |
Chibiabos |
Native American |
Algonquin |
The sky and wolf-spirit of the Algonquin. Chibiabos is the lord of the
realm of the spirits. He is a brother of the Great Hare Manabozho. |
Nokomis |
Native American |
Algonquin |
"Grandmother". The earth goddess of the Algonquin. She fed all living
things; plants, animals, and people. |
Black Hactcin |
Native American |
Apache |
The most powerful of the Hactcin, the only beings of the beginnings when
nothing existed—yet they possessed all necessary for the creation of the
universes and all pertaining to it. They lived in the underworld where
Black Hactcin created the original animal and bird from which all others
derived, mankind, the sun and the moon. |
Anerneq |
Native American |
Arctic |
The breath, spirit, soul; separated from the body after death to go to the
underworld. Distinct from Tarneq (taren-raq) the visible semblance of the
living and sometimes a "helping spirit". |
Nishanu |
Native American |
Arikara |
The great sky god of the Arikara tribe. |
Mekala |
Native American |
Aymara |
A terrifying female spirit whom the Aymara Indians accuse of lying waste
their fields and of killing their herds. |
Aisoyimstan |
Native American |
Blackfeet |
The "cold maker" of Blackfeet mythology. He freezes the earth or blankets
it with snow. Aisoyimstan is portrayed as a man, white in color, with
white hair, dresses in white clothes, and riding a white horse. |
Apikunni |
Native American |
Blackfoot |
The bringer of tobacco and accountable for the first killing in war by
slaying an enemy with an aspen stick. |
Chareya |
Native American |
Cahrocs |
The beneficent sky god who created the earth and all living beings. The
Cahrocs, California. |
Wiyot |
Native American |
California |
Wiyot was the creator god of certain California Indians. He supposedly
fathered a race that existed before humans. At Wiyot's funeral, Coyote
jumped onto the pyre and tore off a piece of Wiyot's flesh, eating it. |
Sint Holo |
Native American |
Cherokee |
Sint Holo is an invisible, great horned serpent, having spiritual and
cultural significance among the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw and adjacent
tribes. This "snake" might reveal its presence to any male youth who had
demonstrated a marked degree of wisdom or intelligence beyond his peers.
According to certain but vague accounts, Sequoya, regarded as the primary
inventor and developer of the Cherokee written language, "must have seen
Sint Holo, the horned reptile" in order to create the alphabet for the
Cherokee. |
Utsanati |
Native American |
Cherokee |
"Rattlesnake." A Cherokee animal-spirit who is regarded as a helper of
mankind, despite the dangerous nature of the animal itself. |
Huitaca |
Native American |
Chibcha |
The beautiful, amoral goddess of licentiousness and drunkenness in the
mythology of the Chibcha. In some stories she pursued Nemterequeteba but
he turned her into either an owl or the Moon. In other stories, however,
her transformation is attributed to Bochica. She is occasionally
identified with the moon-goddess Chiá and is, in these instances, the wife
of Bochica. |
Ababinili |
Native American |
Chickasaw |
Ababinili is the spirit of fire as distinct from that of the Sun. |
Ikanam |
Native American |
Chinook |
The creator of the Chinook of the Lower Columbia River region of Oregon
and Washington. |
Mondamin |
Native American |
Chippewa |
The Chippewa corn-spirit who is, contrary to other Native American
peoples, thought of as a young man. He was sent from the sky but was
killed by a mortal and buried. From his grave sprang the maize plant, the
first one on the Earth, and a sign of his divine nature. |
Lawalawa |
Native American |
Coos |
Lawalawa, possibly translated as "Noisy ones", are diminutive creatures
who are only visible at night. They hurl rocks at peoples houses to raise
a ruckus and wrestle any human they encounter. They are identified by the
tracks they leave near creeks and streams. |
Swaixwe |
Native American |
Cowicha |
In Cowicha myth, a sky-spirit who descended from heaven to live in
terrestrial lakes. He appears in the Swaikhway ritual in which a boy dives
into a lake and discovers a spirit living there. |
Alektca |
Native American |
Creek |
Medicine people who are also knowledgeable about the secrets of war. |
Ibofanga |
Native American |
Creek |
"The One Sitting Above". Another name of Hisagita-imisi. |
Koti |
Native American |
Creek |
The water-frog of the Creek, regarded as a helpful and benevolent spirit. |
Nunne Chaha |
Native American |
Creek |
Nunne Chaha was a great hill, the first solid earth to arise from the
primeval waters according to Muskogean (Creek) tradition. On the peak of
the hill was the house of Esaugetuh Emissee, who created the first humans
from the clay on Nunne Chaha. |
Awakkule |
Native American |
Crow |
An impish dwarf people who are regarded as helping spirits but also known
to play pranks on the unsuspecting. |
Mannegishi |
Native American |
Crow |
The mannegishi (according to the mythology of the Crow tribe), were
human-like things except that they had no hair, they had large eyes and
head, with the rest of their bodies being quite small. They supposedly
played tricks on humans. Some people claimed to see mannegishi-like forms
near Dover, Delaware, and they were dubbed "Dover Demons." |
Skan |
Native American |
Dakota |
The sky and creator god of the Dakota Indians (Sioux; Midwest) who created
the world according the number four. He is the judge of the gods and the
souls of humans. |
Untunktahe |
Native American |
Dakota |
The water-spirit of the Dakota. |
Wakanda |
Native American |
Dakota |
The omnipresent, invisible life-force of the Dakota Indians. It is also
the personification of the Dakota Creator. Wakanda is the Omaha variant of
Wakan Tanka, and can be compared with the manitou of the Algonquin, and
the oki of the Iroquois. Among the Lakota, he is Wakonda, "the power
above". |
Waukheon |
Native American |
Dakota |
Waukheon ("the Thunderbird") is the god of the thundercloud among the
Dakota Indians. He is constantly fighting with the water-god, his
opponent. |
Nagi Tanka |
Native American |
Daokta |
Nagi Tanka, most often accepted to be translated as Great Spirit or Great
Mystery, is one of the other names for the Creator. Also known as Taku
Skanskan. |
Adlivun |
Native American |
Eskimo |
The Adlivun are in Eskimo myth (Canada and Arctic) "Those Beneath Us" or
those in the underworld or the Underworld itself. It is the home of Sedna,
goddess of the sea. |
Akhlut |
Native American |
Eskimo |
In Eskimo myth (Bearing Strait, Alaska, Arctic), a meta-morphic killer
whale that transforms into a wolf on land, known by the wolf's tracks to
and from the sea. |
Asiaq |
Native American |
Eskimo |
An Eskimo female weather deity. She is of human parentage. The Angakoq
(shaman) invokes her to provide good weather. She is occasionally regarded
as a male deity. |
Ataksak |
Native American |
Eskimo |
A sky god and god of joy who always responds to the invocation of the
shaman. Eskimo, Baffin Land. |
Aumanil |
Native American |
Eskimo |
A good spirit of the Eskimo. |
Hlam Shua |
Native American |
Eskimo |
The highest deity of the Eskimo. Kodiak Island, Alaska. |
Igaluk |
Native American |
Eskimo |
The Eskimo supreme god and god of the moon. He is associated with natural
phenomena, animals, and sea animals |
Inua |
Native American |
Eskimo |
Iinua is an Inuit Eskimo concept of the spirit which resides in people,
animals and geographic features, such as lakes mountains et cetera. Inuas
are metamorphic and can change shapes and are often represented as
animorphic and anthropomorphic interchangeably. Sometimes a transformer
character in mythology. |
Nerrivik |
Native American |
Eskimo |
An Eskimo sea-goddess who is regarded as the mother of all sea creatures.
She was invoked by hunters and fishermen invoked for success in their
trades. |
Snallygaster |
Native American |
Folklore |
Snallygaster is an "oicotype" from the Frederick County region of
Maryland, USA. Most likely corrupted German "schnell geiste", a
Pennsylvania Dutch term meaning "quick spirit" often associated with those
draughts that slam doors, topple over lightweight objects, or scatter
papers. |
Kaiti |
Native American |
Haida |
The bear god of the Haida Indians, who married the Volcano Woman,
Dzalarhons. |
Lagua |
Native American |
Haida |
A supernatural being who spoke through a Haida shaman who had captured
Lagua by clenching his teeth. Lagua figures in the discovery of iron,
ushering the Haida into the Native American Iron Age. |
Ahul |
Native American |
Hopi |
The sun-god is also the sky-god, as well as god of germs and of the
afterworld. The Hopi, Arizona. |
Huruing Wuhti |
Native American |
Hopi |
The primordial women of the east and the west between whom the Sun would
daily make its journey. Together they created the Earth and all its
inhabitants, including mankind. |
Sio Calako |
Native American |
Hopi |
A mythical giant of the Hopi. There is nothing known about him but it is
possible that he was rain-spirit due to the similarity of his name and
that of Sio Humis. |
Sio Humis |
Native American |
Hopi |
The name of a Hopi rain-spirit. There may be a connection between him and
the mythical giant Sio Calako. |
Taiowa |
Native American |
Hopi |
Taiowa is the creator god in the myths of the Hopi Indians of Arizona. He
created Sotuknang and told him to make the universe. So Sotuknang make
Topela, the first world, with land, water, and air. Inside it he made
Koyangwuti (spider woman), who helped him by creating Poqanghoya and
Palongawhoya, twins. They made the earth with rivers, seas, and mountains,
and kept things in order. Kokyangwuti made all living things, men last of
all. But the men became disobedient, so Sotuknang was forced to destroy
the world. The good men were saved underground. |
Tokpela |
Native American |
Hopi |
The primordial endless space in Hopi myth. |
Kihunai |
Native American |
Hupa |
The beings who inhabited the world before the Hupa (California). The
Kihunai are believed to still be living east, west, and south of the Hupa,
as well as above them. The culture hero Yimantuwingyai is leader of a
group of Kihunai to the north (across the ocean). |
Huti Watsi Ya |
Native American |
Huron |
The Huron name given to the star-spirits that inhabit the Pleiades. |
Alignak |
Native American |
Inuit |
The Inuit moon and weather-god who rules over the creatures of the sea and
who controls the tides. He is also held responsible for solar and lunar
eclipses, earthquakes and other natural phenomena. |
Aningan |
Native American |
Inuit |
The god of the moon among the Inuit of Greenland. In Alaska he is called
Igaluk. |
Atshen |
Native American |
Inuit |
An Inuit cannibal spirit. |
Ilisitsok |
Native American |
Inuit |
The Inuit name for an angakok, a shaman, who can propitiate evil and call
down misfortune on his fellows. |
Kadlu |
Native American |
Inuit |
The Inuit deity of thunder. In some traditions, Kadlu consists of three
sisters. |
Qudlivun |
Native American |
Inuit |
The afterworld of the Central Inuit. It is a happy land in the sky full of
games and pleasure. |
Sedna |
Native American |
Inuit |
The Inuit goddess of the sea and the creatures that inhabit it. She was
greatly feared but sought out by Shamans for the release of the seals for
hunting. According to one myth, Sedna lives now on the bottom of the sea (Adlivun)
where she spends here days amidst whales and other creatures of the sea. |
Tulugaak |
Native American |
Inuit |
The Inuit maker of the light. |
Tupilak |
Native American |
Inuit |
A magical animal in Inuit myth that usually appears in the form of a seal.
It is under the command of an Ilisitsok, a shaman, who would use it to
attack his victims. |
Dajoji |
Native American |
Iroquois |
The panther, spirit of the west wind in Iroquois mythology. He was called
by Ga-oh into the sky to fight the storms. Dajoji controls tempests,
support the whirlwind, can fell forests, and whip up the waves of the sea.
It is said that even the sun hides his face (behind clouds) when he hears
the snarls of Dajoji. |
Ha Wen Neyu |
Native American |
Iroquois |
The great spirit of the Iroquois. |
Jogah |
Native American |
Iroquois |
Small spirits of nature in Iroquois myth. |
Neoga |
Native American |
Iroquois |
Fawn, the south wind in Seneca (Iroquois) mythology. He was called by Ga-oh
into the sky to lead the summer winds and carry the odor of flowers and
the sound of birds and brooks across the world. |
Yoskeha |
Native American |
Iroquois |
Among the Iroquois, the creator of everything good. |
Tawiscara |
Native American |
Iroquouis |
In Iroquouis myth, the evil twin brother of Ioskeha. |
Sanopi |
Native American |
Kawaiisu |
Also known as "Pitch (Tar)" who taunts Coyote to anger. Coyote tries to
slay Sanopi but becomes stuck, first his paws trying to grab him, then his
teeth while trying to bite him. Coyote eventually starves to death from
being so entrapped by the tar-like "Pitch." |
Bokwus |
Native American |
Kwakiutl |
A wild spirit of the Kwakiutl that is believed to roam in dense forests
and woodlands. It draws to his home the spirits of those who have
drowned. |
Tsonoqwa |
Native American |
Kwakiutl |
In Kwakiutl mythology, Tsonoqwa is a member of the Geekumhl family of
cannibal giants who live in the mountains and woods. There are two forms
of Tsonoqwa: male and female. The male Tsonoqwa is known as being fierce
and strong with a formidable alertness. Tsonoqwa is known as the
wealth-giver and the copper keeper, a theme recurrent in potlatches. The
female Tsonoqwa is the most frequent version of these forest dwelling
giants. She is a wild woman wandering the woods in search of children to
devour. She cries "Hu-Hu" while she searches the woods, with a basket on
her back to collect children for future snacks. She also tries to lure
children to her house in the woods by offering sweets, food, and copper
treasures. Unlike, the male Tsonoqwa, the female is always portrayed as a
stupid and clumsy creature with half-closed eyes. Hence, the children are
usually too alert to be captured, and instead snatch her precious
treasures. The female Tsonoqwa is also a dancer in the Kwakiutl's Tsetseka
Winter Dance. |
Yagis |
Native American |
Kwakiutl |
A sea-monster of the Kwakiutl that overturns canoes and eats those who
fall overboard. |
Cetan |
Native American |
Lakota |
Cetan, Hawk Spirit, is regarded for speed, perseverance, a keen vision,
and is associated with the East. |
Heyoka |
Native American |
Lakota |
A Lakota way of being, a medicine way. A Heyoka is one who does things
backwards or opposite. The idea that Heyoka is a clown comes from the
opposite behavior; it is part of the medicine of Heyoka, to remind us we
are merely human beings and not to become too serious about ourselves, not
to imagine we are more powerful than we really are, reminding us that
Spirit holds all the power. |
Iktomi |
Native American |
Lakota |
The Spider, although most tales involve the trickster figure and center on
morality lessons for the young, Inktomi was also the bringer of Lakota
culture. |
Ta Tanka |
Native American |
Lakota |
Ta Tanka, the "great beast" or Great Buffalo is the spirit of the Bull
Buffalo. It was considered, erroneously, by certain early anthropologists
that the remains of North American mammoths were believed by the Lakota to
be Ta Tanka. Ta Tanka, constantly at odds with Coyote (Mica), is the
primary guardian of young maidens. |
Unktomi |
Native American |
Lakota |
Another reference for the trickster Spider, Iktomi. |
Wakan |
Native American |
Lakota |
Wakan or Wakan Tanka is the name the Lakota Indians (Eastern Sioux) use to
indicate their gods in general. Each creature and each object has its own
wakan, a spirit without limitation. Wakan tanka kin, the wakan of the sun,
is the most important. |
Hoita |
Native American |
Mandan |
The spotted-eagle-spirit of the Mandan (Great Plains). |
Kmukamch |
Native American |
Modoc |
Creator-trickster-culture-hero of California Modoc Indian mythology. He
created mankind. Literally, "Ancient Old Man." |
Atahocan |
Native American |
Montagnais |
The Great Spirit who created the heavens and the earth and all things. The
Montagnais, Labrador/Quebec. |
Chepi |
Native American |
Narragansett |
Spirit informants. They are spirits of the dead who provide information
and wisdom to medicine people during trances. |
Uwashil |
Native American |
Natchez |
Also known as "Big Fire", another reference for the sun, giver of a food
life and health. |
Estanatlehi |
Native American |
Navaho |
The sky goddess, wife of the sun. The twin sister of Yolkai Estsan, wife
of the moon. The most respected goddess of the Navaho Indians, she is seen
as the goddess of change, and it is said that she progresses through age
to become an old woman, then becomes a young woman again. |
Glispa |
Native American |
Navaho |
The spirit who gave the Navaho the gift of healing. |
Tieholtsodi |
Native American |
Navaho |
A Navaho water monster. He used to be the enemy of mankind, but over time
has become less antagonistic. Still, he is held responsible for cases of
drowning. As king of the ocean, he was unable to resist the demands of
Toneniliand Hastsezini, when they rescued the first Navaho from the deep. |
Tsohanoai |
Native American |
Navaho |
The Navaho sun deity. Each day he crosses the heavens with the sun on his
back. To rest, he hangs the sun on a peg on the west wall in his house. |
Hastseltsi |
Native American |
Navajo |
The Navajo god of racing, euphemistically called "Red Lord." |
Hastseoltoi |
Native American |
Navajo |
The hunting goddess of the Navaho. |
Hastsezini |
Native American |
Navajo |
The Navaho god of fire. He and the rain-god Tonenili rescued the first
Navaho from the deep. He was given the euphemism "Black Lord." |
Yeitso |
Native American |
Navajo |
A fearsome man-eating giant in Navajo myth. He is one of the monstrous
anaye. |
Chulyen |
Native American |
Nootka |
The crow trickster of the Nootka or Tanaina often interchanged with
Guguyni, Raven. |
Guguyni |
Native American |
Nootka |
The raven among the Nootka of the Pacific northwest. |
Malahas |
Native American |
Nootka |
The Woman of the Wood, a malicious forest goddess. One day she stole some
children, but from the tears of their mother Andaokut was born. He
ventured forth to rescue them and killed Malahas. |
Naitaka |
Native American |
Nootka |
A water-spirit rumored in inhabit Lake Okanagan (British Columbia). It is
said to resemble the Haietlik of the Nootka, as well as the Pal-Rai-Yûk of
the Inuit. |
Black Tamanous |
Native American |
North Pacific |
A cannibal spirit who inspired the Cannibal Society of the North Pacific
Coast Indians. It is one of the monsters the Transformer did not kill when
he rid the earth of evil beings. |
Xelas |
Native American |
Pacific NW |
The transformer-culture-hero of the Lummi Indians of the Puget Sound
region. |
Cunawabi |
Native American |
Paiute |
The bringer of night and sickness. He is often a trickster figure, if not
always a gambler with many risky adventures. |
Shakuru |
Native American |
Pawnee |
The Pawnee sun god; worshipped in the ritual of the famous sun dance. |
Tirawa |
Native American |
Pawnee |
The Pawnee creator and sky god. He taught the skills of speech, clothing,
fire-making, hunting, agriculture, body-painting, tobacco smoking,
religious rituals and sacrifice. In myths and stories he is generally
referred to a "father". The heavenly bodies, winds, thunder, lightning,
and rain were his messengers. |
Lenapizka |
Native American |
Peoria |
An amphibious lake monster in the traditions and beliefs of the Peoria
people (Illinois). It is also known as "True Tiger." |
Okeus |
Native American |
Powhatan |
Among the Powhatan (Virginia area), the evil counterpart of the great god
Ahone. The European colonists and missionaries declared him to be the
devil. |
Iatiku |
Native American |
Pueblo |
In Acoma myth, one of the two sisters who were responsible for the
creation of mankind. The other sister is Nautsiti. |
Kachina |
Native American |
Pueblo |
Generally kachinas refer to any masked figure or doll. But in the mythic
sense and ritual significance they are better conceived as spirits of the
dead or departed. After the end of a good life, they go to the West, where
the sun sets, and become kachinas, but there is no clear identity with the
deceased and a specific kachina. There are two categories of kachinas:
chief and common. Chief kachinas do not participate in group dancing,
common kachinas do. |
Kwatee |
Native American |
Puget |
"The man who changed things". The creator of people, and destroyer of
monsters. (Puget). |
Fsti Capcaki |
Native American |
Seminole |
A giant in Seminole myths, also called Tall Man. He is covered in gray
hair and smells like a stagnant muddy pond. His weapon is a club which he
makes by breaking off the limbs of trees, which subsequently die. |
Dahdahwat |
Native American |
Seneca |
Mythical animals who appear in dreams, visions, and temporal reality and
have the ability to take on many forms. |
Djien |
Native American |
Seneca |
A monster spider the size of a man whose is heart is buried in the ground
causing it to survive the most critical attacks. Slain by Othegwenhda,
Flint, when a tree limb is stabbed into the earth to pierce Djien's
heart. |
Hagondes |
Native American |
Seneca |
Hagondes is a hook-nosed cannibal clown who frightens children and is
similar to Siats of Ute lore. |
Stonecoat |
Native American |
Seneca |
Stonecoats [Seneca] and Witiko are North Eastern Woodland cannibals. |
Witiko |
Native American |
Seneca |
In Seneca myth, a race of cannibals. |
Pakrokitat |
Native American |
Serrano |
According to the myths of the Serrano Indians of California, Pakrokitat
was the creator. He had a younger brother, Kukitat, who was born from his
left shoulder. |
Canotila |
Native American |
Sioux |
A term for Forest Spirits, literally translated as "they live in a tree". |
Haokah |
Native American |
Sioux |
The Sioux god of thunder, and sometimes also the god of the hunt. Haokah
laughs when he is sad, and cries when he is happy. He is depicted with two
horns on his head. |
Ictinike |
Native American |
Sioux |
A war god, whose father was the Iowa Sun god. He was the inventor of lies,
and used deception, cunning, and treachery in his adventures. Eventually,
his father banished him from Heaven. Supposedly, Ictinike taught the
Native American tribes of the Plains, such as the Sioux, the arts and
customs of war. He is associated with war, treachery, and deceit. |
Senotlke |
Native American |
Squawmish |
A serpentine monster and a very important totem of the Northwest Coastal
region (Squawmish). |
Wemicus |
Native American |
Timigami Ojibwa |
The trickster of the Timigami Ojibwa Indians. |
Tahit |
Native American |
Tlingit |
The Tlingit god of fate who lives in the northern heaven. He determines
the course of a man's life. |
Gyhldeptis |
Native American |
Tlingit and Haida |
The Tlingit and Haida tribes of Alaska considered her a beneficent forest
goddess. |
Quaoar |
Native American |
Tongva |
The god of creation of the Tongva people, a Native American tribe in
Southern California. |
Adaox |
Native American |
Tsimishian |
A tale-type with animal spirits in human form concerning origin myths of
the world. |
Ewah |
Native American |
Unknown |
Ewah is a demon. The very sight of Ewah causes permanent irreversible
insanity. The Ewah was destroyed by an Indian woman named Running Deer. |
Gendenwitha |
Native American |
Unknown |
The morning star (means "she who brings the day"). Her story tells of the
time when the great hunter Sosondowah was stalking a supernatural elk. The
hunt brought him to the heavens, where the goddess Dawn trapped him as her
doorkeeper. But he did not remain faithful to his duties; down on earth he
saw Gendenwitha (a mortal woman) and daily left his duties to court her. |
Genetaska |
Native American |
Unknown |
She was a human woman so wise that squabbles among her people were brought
to her for settlement. Genetaska was always impartial and fair, but one
day she fell in love with a defendant and then married him. This ruined
her reputation for impartiality and her "office" of mediator was
abolished. |
Malsumis |
Native American |
Unknown |
After Tabaldak created humans, the dust from his hand created Gluskab and
sometimes he also created Gluskab's twin brother, Malsumis. He gave
Gluskap the power to create a good world. Malsumis, on the other hand, did
the opposite, and still seeks evil to this day. |
Manitou |
Native American |
Unknown |
Manitou, The Great Spirit, is an Algonquin term, often erroneously applied
as spirit monster. Manitou combines the meanings of Spirit, mystery,
magic, and generally is applied to the manifestation of some form of power
that is not readily understood or coming from elsewhere. |
Telmekic |
Native American |
Unknown |
The place where the dead beings, even animals, stay. |
Wicahmunga |
Native American |
Unknown |
A wizard or a male evil doer. |
Sunuwavi |
Native American |
Ute |
An Ute hero who rescued his people from a bear spirit. He found the bear's
spiritual power, its qumu (fire medicine), and poured water on it, thus
ending the bear's power. |
Gluskab |
Native American |
Wabanaki |
After Tabaldak created humans, the dust from his hand created Gluskab and
sometimes he also created Gluskab's twin brother, Malsumis. He gave
Gluskap the power to create a good world. Malsumis, on the other hand, did
the opposite, and still seeks evil to this day. |
Hambwira |
Native American |
Winnebago |
The Winnebago sun god known "ceremonially as hanboradjera, day-wanderer." |
Olelbis |
Native American |
Wintun |
As the creator-god of the Wintun Indians, Olelbis lived in Olelpanti, or
heaven. Olelbis lived with two old women and built himself a huge
sweathouse to make animals, plants and other things in. |
Ehlaumel |
Native American |
Yuki |
Ehlaumel, also known as Thunder, is a creator for the Yuki of the
California range. |
Kwikumat |
Native American |
Yuma |
The name of the creator in the mythology of the Yuma Indians (southern
California). Like all the Yuma creators, he was born from the ocean. |
Ahuizotle |
Native American |
Zuni and Hopi |
A mythical beast of the Zuni and Hopi peoples. The creature, about the
size of a dog, roamed the banks of rivers. It hads the cry of a human baby
but should anyone approach to investigate, it would grab them by a
monkey-like hand at the end of its long, prehensile tail. |
Anirniit |
North American |
Inuit |
The Inuit believed that all things had a form of spirit or soul (in
Inuktitut: anirniq - breath; plural anirniit), just like humans. |
Nanook |
North American |
Inuit |
Master of polar bears |
Sedna |
North American |
Inuit |
master of sea animals |
Sila |
North American |
Inuit |
The sky or air around them |
Tuurngait |
North American |
Inuit |
Some spirits were by nature unconnected to physical bodies. These figures
were called tuurngait (singular tuurngaq) and were regarded as evil and
monstruous, responsible for bad hunts and broken tools. |
Djall |
Other |
Albanian |
The Albanian name for the devil. Another name for the devil in Albanian is
dreqi, from the Latin draco (dragon). |
Kukuth |
Other |
Albanian |
Ancient Albanian female demons of sickness who spread the plague. The
spirit of a deceased miser, who cannot find rest, and who does much evil,
is also called Kukuth. |
Ljubi |
Other |
Albanian |
The Albanian demoness who will dry water courses in the land if no virgin
is sacrificed to her. |
Ora |
Other |
Albanian |
An Albanian protective spirit. Every person is assigned an Ora at birth.
Those who are courageous and diligent have one with a white face. Those
who are cowardly and lazy have an Ora with a black face. |
Perendi |
Other |
Albanian |
The Albanian thunder god of Illyrian origin. He is the consort of Prende,
the goddess of love. Perendi is identical with the Lithuanian Perkunas and
the Latvian Perkons. |
Stihi |
Other |
Albanian |
A female demon in south Albanian belief. She is represented as a
fire-breathing dragon guarding a treasure. |
Verbti |
Other |
Albanian |
The ancient Albanian god of fire and the northern wind whose name means
"the blind one". Although he cannot see, his hearing is absolutely
perfect. He has an aversion of obscene language and dirty business. With
the advent of Christianization he was reduced to a demon who causes
blindness. |
Kara Han |
Other |
Altaic |
The creator god of Altaic (Mansi and Khanty) myth, Kara-han was the only
living being. He flew over the primordial waters, poisonous even to Snake
and Scorpion, and eventually managed to create the world and meet Ak-ana,
his future wife. |
Xolas |
Other |
Alucaluf |
The supreme deity of the Alucaluf of Tierra del Fuego. He places the soul
into every body at birth and receives them back after death to await
rebirth. |
Shahmeran |
Other |
Anatolian |
In Anatolian mythology, the goddess of wisdom and the guardian of secrets
is Shahmeran, an anthropomorphic figure with a female head on a snake
body. Her story can be traced from the Middle East to India with different
fictions, one variation is also found in the Arabian Night Tales as the
story of Jemlia - the Sultan of Underground (Mardrus, 1992: Vol.7,
68-131). Herodotus mentioned a woman, semi-human semi-snake, who had given
three boys to Heracles in relation with an epic been told about him, in
his fourth book in which he tells about the life and traditions of
Scythians (Herodotus, 1996: 219). The myths show an immense variety about
Shahmeran in Anatolia as well. I.Z. Eyüboglu links the story with Hittite
myths which narrate the struggles of Teshup, the God of Storm, and
Illuyanka, the giant serpent (Eyüboglu, 1990: 175). It is also known that
the story of Shahmeran had been narrated in the manuscript named
Camasbname which had been adapted from a Persian poem by Musa, who used
the name Abdi as a pseudonym. This sixteenth century poem referred to the
reign of Keyhusrev, the Anatolian Seljuk Sultan of the early thirteenth
century (And, 1998: 57). In other manuscripts of the same period, which
tell about the advantures of the mythical Battal Gazi who fought against
Byzance to convert Anatolia into Islam in the eighth century, Shahmeran
and her story is also mentioned (Öztelli, 1976: 3). |
Ullikummi |
Other |
Anatolian |
An ancient Anatolian demon. |
Juruwin |
Other |
Andaman |
In the belief of the Andaman Islands (Bay of Bengal), the Juruwin are evil
spirits of the sea. They are invisible beings (or occasionally described
as white) which live in the sea with their wives and children. They mainly
feed themselves with fish and the bodies of drowned men, but are known to
sometimes attack fishermen with their invisible spears. These cause cramps
and sudden illness. |
Karei |
Other |
Andaman |
The god of storms and thunder of the Andaman Islands. |
Ostara |
Other |
Anglo-Saxon |
In ancient Anglo-Saxon myth, Ostara is the personification of the rising
sun. In that capacity she is associated with the spring and is considered
to be a fertility goddess. She is the friend of all children and to amuse
then she changed her pet bird into a rabbit. This rabbit brought forth
brightly colored eggs, which the goddess gave to the children as gifts.
From her name and rites the festival of Easter is derived. Ostara is
identical to the Greek Eos and the Roman Aurora. |
Duc Ba |
Other |
Annam of Indonesia |
Like the Nymphae of Graeco-Roman mythology, the Askefruer of Northern
Europe, and Yaksha (Hindu), the Duc Ba are feminine spirits of trees. They
are worshipped by the Annam of Indonesia. |
Dusares |
Other |
Arab |
The chief god of Nabataeans (Arab). |
Haukim |
Other |
Arabia |
A deity of ancient southern Arabia who administers justice. The names
comes from the root HKM, "to be wise" or "to pronounce judicially." |
Qaynan |
Other |
Arabia |
Qaynan is the pre-Islamic god of smiths in ancient south Arabia. |
Quzah |
Other |
Arabia |
Pre-Islamic god of storms and thunder. He carries a bow and arrows which,
when fired, causes hailstorms. In ancient Arabia, the center of his cult
was nearby Mecca. |
Salman |
Other |
Arabia |
A pre-Islamic god, worshipped in northern Arabia, whose name means
"blessing" or "peace". |
Theandros |
Other |
Arabia |
A pre-Islamic god who was once revered in northern Arabia. He is known
through Latin and Greek inscriptions. |
Azima |
Other |
Arabian |
An Arabian incantation to drive chase evil spirits away. It is often
written on a piece of paper. |
Hutama |
Other |
Arabian |
Arabian; one of the departments of hell. It is intended for slanderers and
liars. |
Nesr |
Other |
Arabian |
An Arabian vulture god. |
Orotal |
Other |
Arabian |
An ancient Arabian god who is associated with Dusares, the chief god of
the Nabataeans. Orotal was called upon when treaties were concluded. |
Umm S Subyan |
Other |
Arabian |
An Arabian goddess of death who causes infants to die, particularly those
who go to bed without brushing their teeth. |
Dhat Badan |
Other |
Arabs of Yemen |
The primary goddess of the Arabs of Yemen. She was a goddess of the
natural forces of the wilderness, worshiped especially in tree-circled
oases. |
Cherruve |
Other |
Araucanian |
The Cherruve were the spirits of the shooting stars in Araucanian
mythology. The Araucanian Indians were located in Chile, South America,
and were a fierce tribe of warriors. Nature was very important in the
Araucanian Indian religion. Cherruve are often depicted as man-headed
serpents in various Araucanian Indian artifacts such as pottery. |
Huecuvu |
Other |
Araucanian |
Evil spirits in the folk beliefs of the Araucanian people of Chile and
Argentina. They are said to be shape-shifting disease demons who are
controlled by Pillan, the god of earthquakes, volcanoes, and thunder. |
Pillan |
Other |
Araucanian |
An important deity of the Araucanian of South America (Chile, Argentina).
He is associated with thunder, lightning, earthquakes, and various other
natural cataclysms. |
Walichu |
Other |
Araucanian |
Evil spirits and all evil supernatural influences among the Araucanian
Indians of Chile and the Argentine Pampas. Formerly these Indians waged
battles against the walichu to drive them away from their villages or
camps to avert epidemics or bad luck. |
Habuiri |
Other |
Arawak, West Indies |
The remote principle god and creator is a sky god who caused the growth of
food plants. |
Vahagn |
Other |
Armenia |
God of wind and weather in ancient Armenia's pagan pantheon; he
corresponds to the Iranic deity Verethragna. Vahagn is also the god of
victory and a symbol of great courage. His epithet Visapakal has been
interpreted to mean either "dragon-choker" (a slayer of dragons) or
"drawer-up of dragons" (a metaphoric description of one who summons
thunderstorms). Vahagn is also associated with the element of fire, and
typically appears with flames in the place of hair. |
Aretia |
Other |
Armenian |
In Armenian belief, the earth, venerated as holy. She is the mother of all
living creatures. |
Armazd |
Other |
Armenian |
Chief deity in the pantheon of the ancient Armenians; worshipped as the
creator of the universe and the god of wisdom. Aramazd's identity was
derived directly from Ahura Mazda, the principal deity in the Zoroastrian
faith of the old Persians. He is also identical to the Georgian god Armaz.
Likewise, Aramazd's son Mihr is the Armenian counterpart to
Zoroastrianism's Mithra (as is Georgia's Mirsa, the god of light and
fire). |
Kaches |
Other |
Armenian |
A group of spirits in Armenian belief. They were incorporeal beings who
lived in stony places, waged war, hunted, stole grain and wine, and on
occasional tortured men. In more recent times they have been superseded by
the devs. |
Mihr |
Other |
Armenian |
Mihr is the Armenian sun god, the son of the supreme god Aramazd and
brother of the goddess Nana. On earth he appears as fire. He is similar to
the Persian god Mithra. |
Nhang |
Other |
Armenian |
A monstrous evil spirit in Armenian folk belief. It assumes the form of a
woman or a seal and drags swimmers to the bottom of a river. These spirits
use their victims for their lust and drink their blood afterwards. |
Spandaramat |
Other |
Armenian |
An Armenian goddess of the earth as well as the underworld. She is also
the patroness of the dead. With the Christianization her name became a
synonym for 'hell'. |
Tir |
Other |
Armenian |
An ancient Armenian oracular deity and god of wisdom and script. His name
appears in the names of many families and cities. |
Tork |
Other |
Armenian |
An old Armenian mountain god, originally thought to be the mountain
itself. He is the patron of all the animals which live in the mountains. |
Nyame |
Other |
Ashanti |
Nyami is the all-knowing, all-powerful sky god of the Ashanti peoples of
Ghana. |
Merodach |
Other |
Assyrian |
The Assyrian sun-god, known by a different name during each month of the
year. He was regarded as a solar deity, as the mediator between gods and
men, and as the god who raised the dead to life. He corresponds in his
attributes and symbols to the Persian Mithra. |
Mutu |
Other |
Assyrian |
In Assyrian verse the god of the underworld and the personification of
death. He appears in human form with the head of a reptilian dragon. |
Nusku |
Other |
Assyrian |
The Assyrian god of light, fire, and civilization. He is a son of Sin and
the messenger of the gods. |
Sulmanu |
Other |
Assyrian |
The Assyrian god of war and of the underworld. |
Alaxpaca |
Other |
Aymara |
A sky god of the Aymara of Bolivia and Peru. |
Samiri |
Other |
Aymara |
The hills, caves, or lakes from which the ancestors of the Aymara peoples
(Bolivia and Peru) are said to have emerged. These places are regarded as
sacred and are visited by the Aymara to gain new strength and energy. |
Leyak |
Other |
Bali |
On Bali, a Leyak is a person who lives a seemingly normal live, except
that at night he wanders on the cemetary where he steals the entrails of
the corpses. If necessary, he will even take the entrails from sleeping
people. These he uses to make a potion that allows him to change himself
into a tiger. |
Bagaspati |
Other |
Balinese |
A fierce Balinese forest god. The name is derived from the Sanskrit
Brihaspati, the planet Jupiter. |
Kala |
Other |
Balinese |
The ancient god of time in Javanese and Balinese mythology. He is also the
death-god, whose appearance to a person was inexorably the sign of that
person's death. He gave wealth to young men on certain conditions but at
the end of the appointed time reappeared to claim his due. Any defaulters
were punished. In Javanese sculpture, the so-called 'Kala-heads' are the
heads of demonic monsters associated with death and retribution. Kala may
also have be an ocean-god. |
Kala Rau |
Other |
Balinese |
In Balinese mythology, Kala Rau is the bodiless head of a demon. He chases
the moon-goddess Ratih, occasionally catching her, causing a lunar
eclipse. It is his revenge on Ratih for telling Wisnu about his attempt of
stealing Tirtha Amertha, the elixir of immortality. This elixir is meant
only for the gods and when Wisnu learned that the demon tried to drink it
he threw his magic discus, cutting off Kala Rau's head. But, the elixir
had already reached his throat so his head was immortal. Enraged at Ratih,
he began chasing her across the heavens. |
Rambut Sedana |
Other |
Balinese |
The Balinese goddess of prosperity. Her name literally means "money hair."
Traditionally she is represented by a gilded mask, called salang, from
which are hung many strings, like hair. The old Chinese coins, the ones
with a hole in the middle, that are tied to the strings are considered
lucky by the Balinese as well as the Chinese. If her image is hung in a
home or business it will attract prosperity. |
Ratih |
Other |
Balinese |
The Balinese moon-goddess. She is chased across the heavens by the demon
Kala Rau who occasionally catches her and thus getting his dark revenge,
for it was Dewi Ratih who told Wisnu that the demon was attempting to
drink from Tirtha Amertha, the elixir of immortality. |
Inapirikuri |
Other |
Baniwa |
Among the Baniwa of Venezuela, the primordial god, but not the creator,
who drew mankind from the ground and gave them their moral precepts. |
Omang |
Other |
Batak |
Little people in the belief of the Batak of Sumatra. They are said to be
clever thieves. See also Lolok and Hoga. |
Raja Indainda |
Other |
Batak |
The thunder god in Batak mythology. He is the spy and messenger of the
other gods. |
Gbekre |
Other |
Baule |
A half man, half monkey of the Baule people of the Ivory Coast. This
spirit assists in the after-life and punishes the evil ones and protects
the believers against enemies. |
Khetrpal |
Other |
Bengal |
The western Bengal name for the earth deity or guardian. See: Bhumiya. |
Sitala |
Other |
Bengali |
"The cool one." Sitala is a Bengali goddess of small-pox, depicted as an
ugly women with a switch, riding on an ass. She is revered under the name
of Mariamma in south India. |
Bacax |
Other |
Berbers |
A deity revered by the ancient Berbers. It was believed that he dwelled in
a cave at the entrance of which sacrificial offerings were to be made. |
Arayriqui |
Other |
Bolivia |
A star god who was the tutelary deity of the Mojo and Baure, Bolivia. |
Apu Lagang |
Other |
Borneo |
The world of the spirits in the mythology of the Dayaks of Borneo. |
Dayang Raca |
Other |
Borneo |
In Borneo myth, the sole survivor of a flood that killed off the rest of
the human race. She mated with the flames of her campfire, became
pregnant, and repopulated the earth. |
Yama |
Other |
Brahma |
In Brahmanism, Yama is the god of death and time and the son of the
sun-god Vivasvan. He is the king of the realm of the dead and judge of the
death. When judging the deeds of man, he is assisted by Chitragupta, a
kind of bookkeeper. Yama's wife is Dhumorna, the personification of the
fire which burns the dead. His realm is guarded by two four-eyed dogs. |
Igaranha |
Other |
Brazil |
An extremely powerful spirit of the people inhabiting the area of the
Xingu River (Brazil). Igaranha manifests himself as a canoe and in this
form he can help mankind as well as do them great harm. |
Saci |
Other |
Brazilian |
Woodland spirits in Brazilian Negro folklore and African-derived religious
beliefs. These spirits are of trickster-like character and are clearly
belonging to the African character of "little people" of the forests,
which are prevalent among many tribes. The exact origin of the Brazilian
name has not been ascertained. |
Jurupari |
Other |
Brazilian Tupi-Guarani |
A powerful god of the Brazilian Tupi-Guarani. Jurupari is strictly a god
of men. Women are forbidden any knowledge of his worship, on pain of
death. |
Sibu |
Other |
Bribri |
The Great Spirit of the Bribri and Borcua people of Panama. |
Nirvana |
Other |
Buddhism |
In Buddhism, Nirvana is the final state of release of the soul from the
casuality of rebirths (karma). It is perfect inner peace, a beautific
state in which desires will have lost their effect. This state is usually
only achieved after death. |
Remanta |
Other |
Buddhism |
In Buddhism, king of the horsegods and lord of the easterly quarter of
heaven. He is said to ride on a red horse, carrying a red banner. He is
accompanied by falcons and vultures. |
Yamatanka |
Other |
Buddhism |
The Tibetan divine protector of Buddhism. He is the eternal enemy of Yama,
the god of death, and his name means "he who ends Yama", but he is also
called Yamari ("Yama's enemy") and Vajrabhairava ("terrifying"). He rides
or stands on a bull and tramples Yama. |
Citipati |
Other |
Buddhist |
Buddhist graveyard demons of Tibet. They are portrayed as dancing
skeletons. |
Janguli |
Other |
Buddhist |
A Buddhist goddess, one of the bodhisattvas, who protects against
snakebites and poisoning. She is portrayed with three faces and six arms.
The peacock is her symbolic animal, and her attributes are the vina (a
musical instrument), a white snake, and a lotus flower. She is also called
Mahavidya. |
Locana |
Other |
Buddhist |
"Eye." A Buddhist goddess, assigned as partner (prajñā) to Vairocana
or to Aksobhya. She is white in color, signifying the spirit of peace. Her
attribute is the wheel. |
Hkum Yeng |
Other |
Burma |
The village guardian of the Wild Wa (Burma). The Wa live in terror of this
Nat and post the spoils of the hunting expeditions in order to propriate
him. |
Maya |
Other |
Burmese |
The primordial Mother-goddess, worshipped by the Burmese. In Tibet she is
called sGrol-ma or Tara. |
Sinlap |
Other |
Burmese |
A Kachin (Burmese) beneficent spirit (nat), the spirit of wisdom who
dwells in the sky and is believed to bestow wisdom upon his worshippers. |
Thabet |
Other |
Burmese |
In Burmese folk belief, the disembodied spirits of women who have died in
childbirth: inimical to men. They are portrayed with huge bodies and long,
slimy tongues. |
Shudkher |
Other |
Buryat |
Shudkhers are evil demons like sholmoses in Buryat (North-Mongol)
mythology. |
Preas Eyn |
Other |
Cambodia |
The Khmer thunder-god of ancient Cambodia. He rides on a three-headed
elephant and casts bolts of lightning. He shows similarities with the
Indian god Indra. |
Preas Eyssaur |
Other |
Cambodia |
The god of death of the Khmer people of ancient Cambodia, but also a god
who brings life. He shows some similarities with the Indian god Shiva. |
Preas Prohm |
Other |
Cambodia |
The primeval god, and infinite being, of the Khmer of ancient Cambodia.
The forces combined in his being formed the visible world. He has four
faces and is similar with the Indian god Brahma. |
Kru |
Other |
Cambodian |
A Cambodian shaman, especially active as a curer. He exorcises the evil
spirits of disease. The kru uses vegetable medicines as well as animal
parts and bezoar stones. |
Moneiba |
Other |
Canaries |
The protector or tutelary goddess of women on the island of Hierro in the
Canaries. The god Eranoranhan played the same part for men. The god lived
on one rock, the goddess on another. |
Moneiba |
Other |
Canaries |
The protector or tutelary goddess of women on the island of Hierro in the
Canaries. The god Eranoranhan played the same part for men. The god lived
on one rock, the goddess on another. |
Orahan |
Other |
Canary Islands |
The sole god worshipped on Gomera (Canary Islands). He is enthroned in
heaven and his implacable enemy is the demonic, woolly-haired Hirguan. |
Atraiomen |
Other |
Carib |
A terrible fish-like monster. The soul of Kalinago inhabited it after he
had been slain by his jealous sons. In his new form he pursued his sons
who fled in all directions, thus dispersing the Carib people across many
islands. |
Adaheli |
Other |
Carib. |
The personification of the Sun. He was troubled by the fact that there
were no people on the Earth and so descended from his heaven. Soon
afterwards, people were born of the cayman. The women were all extremely
beautiful but some of the men were so ugly that the others found them
intolerable to their gaze. The people separated, with the ugly ones going
to the east and the others to the west, each with their respective wifes. |
Audjal |
Other |
Caroline |
An earth goddess of the Caroline Islands. |
Lugeilan |
Other |
Caroline Island Lugeilan |
In the mythology of some of the peoples of the Caroline Island Lugeilan is
the god of knowledge. He descended from heaven to earth and taught the
people how to cultivate crops and the arts of tattooing and hairdressing.
Lugeilan is associated with the coconut palm. His son is the god of change
Olofat. |
Gora Daileng |
Other |
Caroline Islands |
In the myths of the Caroline Islands, the god of the nether world who
punishes the sinners by pushing them in to his river which carried them
down into a cave from whence they never returned. |
Lioumere |
Other |
Caroline Islands |
A terrifying demoness from the Caroline Islands. She has iron teeth, which
possesses great magical power, if a man could get hold of one. |
Maihun |
Other |
Caroline Islands |
In the Caroline Islands, this is a reef where evil spirits live who eat
sailors. |
Naniumlap |
Other |
Caroline Islands |
A god of festivities and fertility from the Caroline Islands. He ensures
that the plants and animals grow and that women bear children. The turtle
is one of his sacred animals, as well as some other creatures which only
chiefs may eat. |
Asura |
Other |
Central Asia |
A Central Asian word for the supreme spirit, or god |
Ulgan |
Other |
Central Asia |
Among the tribes of central Asia, Ulgan was said to have created the
world. He made the world in the shape of a disc, which three fish
supported on their backs. One fish was assigned to the east, one to the
west, and one in the center. When he created the earth, it was only water,
so he was puzzled because he did not know where to start. Then Man
appeared. Man said that he had come to create the earth also, and to live
beside Ulgan. Ulgan was angry, so he told Man that if he was so clever and
great, to find a piece of earth-matter. Man searched high and low for
anything that was not made of water, but he found nothing. Man then
decided to look under the water. He turned himself into a duck, and dived
into the water. He searched very hard and finally came to the surface with
a piece of earth in his mouth. Ulgan made Man give him half which he made
dry land, mountains, trees, and plants with. He also created animals to
inhabit this land. Man was greedy, so he kept his half in his mouth. Ulgan
saw the world as unfinished, so he made Man spit out the earth-matter in
his mouth which became swamps and marshes. Man later became Erlik, the
devil, and lord of the of the dead, while Ulgan was lord of the living. |
Eshara |
Other |
Chaldean |
The Chaldean goddess of war, and of productive fields. |
Izdubar |
Other |
Chaldean |
The Chaldean solar hero. |
Sert Terkan |
Other |
Cheremis |
Among the Cheremis/Mari people, the name of an individual keremet or evil
spirit. |
Tequendama |
Other |
Chibcha |
In Chibcha myth, the great waterfall that was created when Bochica
manifested himself as the rainbow, in answer to the prayers of mankind
after Chibchacum had flooded the Earth. The Earth split and water rushed
into the chasm forming the waterfall. |
Thomagata |
Other |
Chibcha |
The god of thunder of the Chibcha of Colombia. |
Cherufe |
Other |
Chilean |
The Cherufe is a enormous lava creature in Chilean mythology who lives in
volcanoes and feeds upon young maidens. To protect the local population,
the sun god sent his two warrior daughters to guard the Cherufe. With them
they brought magical swords which are capable of freezing the creature.
But on occasion it will escape and thereby causing volcanic eruptions. |
Ngurvilu |
Other |
Chilean |
A Chilean water-god in the form of a wild cat. He has a claw at the end of
his tail. It is unknown which people exactly worshipped this deity. |
Yaguarogui |
Other |
Chiriguani |
In Chiriguani myth (Bolivia), a green tiger who is believed to cause
eclipses when it tries to eat the Sun. However, he always fails since the
Sun is too hot to eat and has to be spat out again. |
Advent |
Other |
Christ |
The second coming of Christ as prophesied by Paul in 1 Corinthians
15:23-8. |
Azazel |
Other |
Christ |
A wild demon from the desert in the Old Testament to whom the scapegoat
was driven forth, but is also mentioned as the place to which the
scapegoat was sent on the Day of Atonement. Two goats were chosen and
after one was sacrificed, the other was let loose in the wilderness,
symbolically carrying away the nation's sins. This ritual is described in
the Avodah. Aaron, as atonement, 'shall cast lots' on two goats 'one for
the Lord, and the other for the scapegoat' (Azazel). The name of Azazel
(as supernatural power) means "goat-god". |
Ezekiel |
Other |
Christ |
"Strength of God". He is one of the four greater prophets. In 598 BCE he
was carried captive to Babylon, where he entered the prophetic calling in
the fifth year of his captivity. The chapters 1.-24 of his book contain
predictions before the fall of Jerusalem, and 25.-48 predictions after
that event. |
Ezra |
Other |
Christ |
"Help". The famous scribe and priest, resident at Babylon, who returned to
Jerusalem with his countrymen in 458 BCE where he began immediate reforms.
He collected and revised the previous Old Testament writings and largely
settled the Old Testament canon. His book is the 15th of the O.T. and
tells the story of the return and the establishment of a new order of
things at Jerusalem and in Judea. |
Judas Iscariot |
Other |
Christ |
The apostle who betrayed Jesus Christ to the Sanhedrin, the supreme
national tribunal of the Jews. Judas served as steward to Jesus and his
other disciples. In the Gospel of John (12:6), Judas is portrayed as
covetous and dishonest. According to the Gospels of Matthew and Mark,
greed made him betray Jesus to the chief priest for 30 pieces of silver.
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke represent Jesus as conscious of the
premeditated treachery, which he foretold. When Judas saw the consequences
of his betrayal, he was filled with despair and killed himself (about 28
CE). The New Testament contains two different accounts of his death (see
Matthew 27:3-5; Acts 1:16-20). |
Malachi |
Other |
Christ |
"God's messenger". The last of the minor prophets, whose nativity or
lineage is unknown except that he was a contemporary of Nehemia (445-433
BCE). His book foretells the coming of Christ and John the Baptist. |
Marchocias |
Other |
Christ |
In medieval demonology, a prince of the hellish realm. He has the wings of
a griffin and the tail of a snake. Before the fall of his master Satan,
Marchocias belonged to the hierarchy of angels. |
Micah |
Other |
Christ |
"God-like". The sixth of the minor prophets, who prophesied around 750-698
BCE. He foretells the destruction of Samaria and Jerusalem, and prefigures
the Messiah. |
Micaiah |
Other |
Christ |
As a prophet of the true God, he confronted 400 of the false prophets of
Israel (1 Kings 22:6-28), including the charlatan Zedekiah with his horns.
Micaiah alone prophesied the truth: that King Ahab would die. |
Nazareth |
Other |
Christ |
A town of Galilee, now En-nazirah. It was the home of Jesus Christ. |
Obadiah |
Other |
Christ |
"Servant of God". Fourth of the minor prophets. He prophesied after the
capture of Jerusalem. His book, the 31st of the Old Testament, is a
denunciation of Edom. Nothing is known of his history. |
Sangrail |
Other |
Christ |
The Holy Grail. Popular etymology used to explain the word as meaning the
real blood of Christ, sang-real, or the wine used in the Last Supper.
Tradition has it that Joseph of Arimathea preserved part of this
wine-blood in the Saint, or Holy Grail. |
Seraphim |
Other |
Christ |
Divine creatures from the Old Testament, associated with the Cherubim, and
later taken to be angels. The root of Seraphim comes either from the
Hebrew verb saraph ('to burn') or the Hebrew noun saraph (a fiery, flying
serpent). Because the term appears several times with reference to the
serpents encountered in the wilderness (Num. 21.8, Deut. 8.15; Isa. 14.29;
30.6), it has often been understood to refer to "fiery serpents." From
this it has also often been proposed that the seraphim were serpentine in
form and in some sense "fiery" creatures or associated with fire. |
St. Margaret |
Other |
Christ |
The historical record for this saint is negligible, and her story largely
started in the Middle Ages. It's probable that a Marina or Margaret was
martyred by Diocletian around 304 ad, certainly there were a lot of
Christians being put to death at that time, and a name found on an obscure
list turned into legend. |
Uriel |
Other |
Christ |
"My light is God" or "flame of God. Uriel is one of the archangels of
rabbinical angelology. He was sent by God to rebuke the presumption of
Esdras in questioning the ways of God (II Esdras iv), and converses with
him at length. He is mentioned in I Enoch, where he is one of the four
archangels, but in 40-9 and 71 his place is taken by Phanuel. In 19-1 and
20-2 he is one of the 'watchers', 'the angel over the world and Tartarus';
and in 21.27 he explains the fate of the fallen angels. In 72 ff. Uriel,
'whom the eternal Lord of glory sets over all the luminaries of heaven',
shows Enoch the celestial phenomena; in 33-3 he writes them down. In the
lost 'Prayer of Joseph' he is the angel with whom Jacob wrestled, the
eighth in rank from God, Jacob being the first. In the midrash 1, Uriel is
said to be one of the four guardians of God's throne. |
Gabriel |
Other |
Christian |
In Judeo-Christian belief, the archangel of Annunciation, Resurrection,
Mercy, Revelation and Death. Also known in Hebrew orthography as Gabri-el.
The angel who gave the Annunciation of Christ's birth to the Virgin Mary,
and also the angel responsible for blowing the Trump on Judgment Day. |
Lucius |
Other |
Christian |
Lucius is one of the mythical kings of Britain, the son of Coillus, and
fabled as the first Christian British King according of Geoffrey of
Monmount. |
Picvucin |
Other |
Chukchi |
The Chukchi (East Siberian) god of hunting and wild animals. He is so
small that he can ride on a blade of grass pulled by a mouse, but he is as
strong as a giant. It was believed that he fed himself with the smells of
offerings. |
Lulumoy |
Other |
Colombia |
The great god who was represented "with three heads, six arms and six
legs." He was worshipped in the region of the Organos, to the west of the
Neiva Valley (Colombia). |
Chuvalete |
Other |
Cora |
Chuvalete is worshipped by the Cora Indians who live in Central America.
The Indians call Chuvalete the protector of mankind. Chuvalete is the
"Morning Star", which could be mist, fog, or dawn. The Morning Star
protects people (mankind) from the sun's fierce heat in the morning, and
sometimes all day. |
Devana |
Other |
Czechs |
Devana to Czechs, Diiwica to Serbians of Lusatia, Dziewona to Poles. The
goddess of the hunt. Young, beautiful, she rode a swift horse through the
forests of the Elbe and the Carpathians, with a pack of hounds. Her name
of cognate with the Roman goddess Diana. |
Nommo |
Other |
Dagon |
The culture hero and teacher of the Dagon people of Mali, Sudan, and Upper
Volta. He represents the totality of the cosmos (originally a huge egg).
He was created by his father Amma as a twin, half man half snake. Nommo
sent the first smith to earth in an ark which sails across the rainbow and
which contains a copy of every living creature, all minerals and
techniques. His brother and antipode is the trickster Yurugu. |
Vodu |
Other |
Dahomean |
The Dahomean Negro word for deity. From this word the Haitian vaudou has
been derived. |
Klieng |
Other |
Dayaks |
The greatest of mythological heroes of the Dayaks of Borneo. This warrior
and transformer was born from a knot in a tree. His greatest exploit was
his war on the sky. |
Raja Hantuen |
Other |
Dayaks |
The King of the Ghosts in the mythology of the Dayaks of Borneo. |
K Op Ala |
Other |
Eastern Georgia |
A protective god of the mountaineers of eastern Georgia. The club is his
weapon and he sometimes transforms himself into one. |
Ninsusinak |
Other |
Elam |
The national god of Elam, in ancient Asia Minor, and the tutelary deity of
Susa, the country's capital. He is also the god of the oath and the judge
of the dead. His consort is Pinikir. His Akkadian name is Susinak. |
Jabru |
Other |
Elamite |
The Elamite god of the underworld (Asia Minor). He is identified with the
Akkadian god Anu. |
Nahhundi |
Other |
Elamites |
The sun-god of the legal system of the Elamites, in ancient Asia-Minor. |
Turris |
Other |
Estonian |
The Finnish and Estonian god of war. The word means a huge, evil, strong,
and dreadful person. |
Nenufaremi |
Other |
European occultism |
In medieval European occultism, the name of elementals of the air. |
Surial |
Other |
Falasha |
The Angel of Death in Falasha lore. It is said that Moses received all his
knowledge from Suriel. This "angel" is also mentioned in The Canonical
Prayerbook of the Mandaeans as "Sauriel the Releaser". |
Grendel |
Other |
Fiction |
Grendel is one of the antagonists in the epic poem Beowulf. We can infer
from the (sparse) descriptions that it was a large, savage, hulking brute
with a massive amount strength. The term "grendel" is also used as a
synonym for "demon" or a demonic creature. |
Dakuwanga |
Other |
Fijian |
The Fijian shark-god. He is the scourge of the fishermen, eating their
fish as well as the men who fall overboard. However, ever the powerful
shark-god one day met his match, the giant octopus, guardian of the reef.
After a long battle, the octopus won and the Dakuwanga had to promise
never to attack the men of the Kandavu (one of the major Fijian islands)
again. |
Degei |
Other |
Fijian |
The Fijian serpent-god who lives in the Kauvadra hills. When a person
dies, his soul faces a long journey from the sunny land of the living to
the cold, misty land of the dead. Upon the soul's arrival, Degei will
interrogate it. Idle men, recognized by their long nails, will be
punished. Industrious souls will be rewarded. When the soul is judged, it
is thrown into a deep lake. It will sink for a long time until it reaches
Murimuria, a sort of Purgatory. There some will be rewarded and others
will receive dire punishment. Only are few are chosen by the gods to go to
Burotu, the land of eternal life and joy. |
Drakulu |
Other |
Fijian |
With Cibaciba, one of the cave entrances to the Fijian Land of the Dead. |
Tui Delai Gau |
Other |
Fijian |
The Fijian god of the mountain. He is a giant who possesses the magical
ability to remove his hands and sends them fishing for him in the ocean.
The hands walk on their fingers and can swim as well. Also remarkable is
that he can take off his head and place it in the sky, where is acts as a
look-out. His people are the Gau Islanders and he taught them the art of
digging with a spade and of cooking food in an oven. Tui Delai Gau lives
in a tree |
Mammuyon |
Other |
Filipino |
One of the ten Filipino witches, Mammuyon is a diviner. He looks for the
truth in any situation, using a magical art called Buyon, often involving
rituals using various kinds of smoke. |
Hiisi |
Other |
Finnish |
Hiisi is a Finnish forest-god whose cult was especially spread throughout
eastern Finland. He was considered the guardian spirit of the sacrificial
grove; and was called the son of Kaleva and believed to be a giant of
ancient times. Later he was degraded to a (evil) wood spirit, and his name
even became a synonym for "devil". He is beardless and ugly, has lopsided
eyes without eyelids, and is dressed as a scoundrel. |
Ilmarinen |
Other |
Finnish |
A Finnish sky-god, lord of wind and good weather (ilma), "giving calm and
bad weather, and furthering travelers (sailors)", according to Agricola. |
Ilmatar |
Other |
Finnish |
A Finnish goddess, Daughter of the Air. She created the world, and is the
mother of Väinämöinen. Sometimes she is called Luonnotar, Daughter of
Creation. |
Juma |
Other |
Finnish |
In Finnish mythology, and especially of the Cheremis people, Juma is the
god of the sky and of thunder and lightning. The Finno-Ugric word juma
means literally "the heavenly" but is also used to denote earth, wind, and
water spirits. Juma is also referred to as "the Great". |
Maahiset |
Other |
Finnish |
Finnish dwarf-like beings or earth-spirits who can sometimes be
beneficent, but on occasion be hostile towards humans. They are also
called Maanalaiset. They are similar to the Lithuanian Kaukas. |
Para |
Other |
Finnish |
Ancient Finnish household spirits who appear in the shape of a cat, snake,
hare, or frog. They enlarge to amount of food and money with what they
stole elsewhere. |
Raudna |
Other |
Finnish |
"Rowan." A Lappish goddess, wife of Horagalles, the god of thunder. She is
the equivalent of the Finnish goddess Rauni. |
Tapio |
Other |
Finnish |
The Finnish god of the forests. His wife is Mielikki, the mistress of the
forests, his son is Nyyrikki, and his daughter is Tuulikki. |
Tursas |
Other |
Finnish |
A Finnish deep-sea monster. |
Vellamo |
Other |
Finnish |
The Finnish goddess of the sea and the waters. She is the wife of Ahti.
The name is derived from velloa, "to rock himself." |
Kalma |
Other |
Finno-Ugric |
"Smell of the Corpse." The Finno-Ugric goddess of death and the dead. Her
house was guarded by Surma, a monstrous animal with ever-open jaws, who
would seize and devour human beings at her order. |
Keremet |
Other |
Finno-Ugric |
Among the Cheremis and Mordvins (Finno-Ugric), keremet are fenced-in
sanctuaries or sacred groves, the living places of heroes and ghosts. |
Vizi Ember |
Other |
Finno-Ugric |
In Finno-Ugric and Magyar mythology, an extremely unlikeable and ugly
water god. He lived in rivers and lakes and regularly demanded human
sacrifices. |
Rahkoi |
Other |
Finns |
The ghost of the Finns and Lapps. It has influence on the phases of the
moon. |
Vagdavercustis |
Other |
Germanic |
The name of a Germanic goddess which appears on a votive stone found in
the River Linge near Hemmen, Netherlands. |
Akonadi |
Other |
Ghana |
An oracle goddess of justice in Ghana. |
Ashiakle |
Other |
Ghanaian |
The Ghanaian goddess of wealth, and of the sea. |
Na Atibu |
Other |
Gilbert Islands |
The first man and demi-god in the myths of the Gilbert Islands. He died so
that the earth would be prepared to receive humankind. His right eye is
the rising sun, his left eye is the full moon in the western sky, and his
brains, full of sparks, have became the stars. His limbs, scattered on the
ocean, became the islands, while his bones became the tree trunks. |
Na Kika |
Other |
Gilbert Islands |
The octopus-god of the Gilbert Islands (Kiribati). His many arms served
him well when he shoved up the earth from the bottom of the sea to form
the islands, the beaches and the rocks. He is the son of Na Atibu and Nei
Teuke, the first beings. |
Nareau |
Other |
Gilbert Islands |
The creator of the universe in the myths of the Gilbert Islands (current
Kiribati). He is called Lord Spider. In the beginning he walked alone in
the oppressive darkness of Te-Po-ma-Te-Maki ("the Darkness of the
Embrace") and from a mussel shell he created the world. Then from sand and
water he created two beings: Na Atibu and Nei Teuke, man and woman. They
created the sun and the moon from Nareau's eyes, the stars from his brain
and from his flesh and bones they made the islands and trees. From the
union of those first two beings came forth the other gods. Nareau still
appears on earth, as a spider. |
Riiti |
Other |
Gilbert Islands |
The eel god of the Gilbert islands. |
Abatur |
Other |
Gnosticism |
In Gnosticism the father of Demiurgos. |
Glycon |
Other |
Gnostic-Mithraic |
A Gnostic-Mithraic demon with a human head and the body of a snake. The
snake Glycon was often regarded as an incarnation of Asclepius. |
Makunaima |
Other |
Guianas |
The most clever and powerful of the Twins in the mythology of various
Carib tribes of the Guianas. He often plays the part of culture hero. |
Iboroquiamio |
Other |
Guyanese |
The personification of evil among the Guyanese people. |
Butyakengo |
Other |
Gypsy |
A Gypsy protective spirit who lives in a person's body and which forms a
part of a deceased ancestor. It is transferred from the father and mother
to the eldest son or daughter. |
Urmen |
Other |
Gypsy |
In gypsy belief, they are a group of three female spirits of fate who
decide the destiny of humans. Two of them are good spirits, while the
third is continuously trying to harm people. Their queen is Matuya who
employs gigantic, terrible birds called the Charana. |
Isdustaya |
Other |
Hattic |
One of two proto-Hattic goddesses of fate. With a distaff and a mirror
they determine the fate of humans. The other goddess is Papaya |
Wurukatte |
Other |
Hattic |
Wurukatte is the proto-Hattic god of war. Called 'the king of the realm'
he was worshipped in Asia Minor. To the Hittites he is Zababa, the war-god
they adopted from the Akkadians. |
Wurusemu |
Other |
Hattic |
The proto-Hattic sun goddess of Asia Minor. Wurusemu also appears as an
earth goddess and is then the wife of the weather god Taru and mother of
Telipinu, a vegetation god. Wurusemu shows many similarities with the
Hittite goddess Arinna. |
Absalom |
Other |
Hebrew |
Absalom, Hebrew, "Father of Peace," was the third son of David and Maacha,
the daughter of Talmai, King of Geshur. Absalom did not live up to the
Hebrew meaning of his name since he stirred up a rebellion against his
father after killing his half-brother Amnon, who had raped their sister
Tamar. Absalom since became the perennial name for a rebellious child. |
Elohim |
Other |
Hebrew |
Hebrew: "God". One of the names of God. It is the name used by the author
of one of the sources of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the
Bible). |
Dercetius |
Other |
Hispania |
An mountain-god venerated in ancient Hispania. |
Eacus |
Other |
Hispanic |
An ancient Hispanic god who was venerated in the area of present-day
Castile. He was initially equated with Jupiter Solutorius, but was later
completely absorbed by him. |
Neto |
Other |
Hispanic |
An ancient Hispanic war-god with astral character. The name is probably
connected with the Celtic word neto, "warrior." |
Alalus |
Other |
Hittite |
In Hittite mythology, the father of the gods, the eldest god. |
Elunirsa |
Other |
Hittite |
A Hittite god, regarded in ancient Asia Minor as 'god creator of the
earth'. His consort is Asertu (Aserdus). |
Gul Ses |
Other |
Hittite |
Among the Hittites, the Gul-ses are the goddesses of fate. They act in
groups and do good as well as evil. The name possible means "writers".
They are similar to the Hurrian Hutena. |
Hasameli |
Other |
Hittite |
The Hittite god of blacksmiths in Asia Minor. |
Illujanka |
Other |
Hittite |
In Hittite myth (Asia Minor), Illujanka is a snake-demon who is crushed to
death by the weather-god, symbolizing the beginning of a new era. This
myth was read on New Year's Day and shows many similarities with the myths
of Baal and Leviathan, and Zeus and Typhon. |
Illuyankas |
Other |
Hittite |
A great dragon from Hittite mythology. The creature and its brood were
given large quantities of wine and other liquor by the hero Hupasiays to
make them fall asleep, and were subsequently killed by the thunder-god
with his lightning. |
Jarri |
Other |
Hittite |
The Hittite god of plague and pestilence, called 'lord of the bow'. During
outbreaks of the plague people tried to appease him with offerings. |
Rundas |
Other |
Hittite |
The Hittite god of hunt and good fortune. His attribute is the double
eagle with a hare in each claw. |
Ubelluris |
Other |
Hittite |
A Hittite mountain god who carried the edge of the sky, where the sun
sets, on his shoulders. |
Dab Neeb |
Other |
Hmong |
The host of shamanic spirits that accompany and protect a Hmong shaman on
his journey to the Otherworld. Among the dab neeb are various natural and
supernatural forces, such as sparrow-hawks, swallows, tigers, and dragons,
but also soldiers and cavalry. An important dab neeb is the spider, for it
will create a bridge of iron and copper between the two worlds on which
shaman and the other spirits can cross safely into the Otherworld. |
Dab Qus |
Other |
Hmong |
The wild forest spirits who inhabited certain areas of the natural
landscape, particularly the isolated and uncultivated places and prominent
crags or boulders. If a human ventures too close where the dab qus roam
they will attack him or try to capture his soul. |
Dab Xwm Kab |
Other |
Hmong |
The spirit of wealth and riches who protects the household and all its
members. It is represented by a small altar in the form of a piece of
rice-paper, located on the wall opposite the front door. The altar is
daubed with the blood and feathers of sacrificed chickens, as well as with
silver and gold leaf, and can be found in all traditional Hmong houses.
The dab xwm kab is closely associated with the male patrilineage and its
principal household representative. |
Kaj Yuam |
Other |
Hmong |
The Heavenly Archer, a semi-legendary, heroic character in Hmong
tradition. He is said to have created the first crossbow out of iron and
copper and used it to shoot at the nine suns that turned around the world.
He show down eight of them and when they fell out of the sky they caused
drought and death. The remaining sun became frightened and hid herself,
returning only when she heard the crowing of a rooster, which for ever
afterwards bore a red plume where the sun's first rays struck it. |
Ntxwj Nyug |
Other |
Hmong |
One of the two lords of the Otherworld in Hmong belief. He judges the
souls of the dead and determines in which form the soul will be
reincarnated -- vegetable, animal, or human. He guards the gates through
which the souls must pass before they can return to the village of their
ancestors. These gates are near his residence, at the top of a mighty
mountain. |
Otherworld |
Other |
Hmong |
The Otherworld in Hmong belief is harsh, mountainous landscape. It can be
entered through holes or underground caves. Where the natural world and
the Otherworld meet there is a large body of water, crossed by a bridge,
and it is here that the souls of men can meet with the spirits and
communicate, although none can tell which is men and which is spirit.
There might also be a marketplace on or near the bridge where men and
spirits can trade and bargain. |
Xob |
Other |
Hmong |
The Hmong god of thunder. It is said that he was once caught and hung
above a fire to dry, but he escaped and flew away. The thunderous sound he
made as he flew over the rice fields caused stunted rice crops for ever
afterwards. |
Boszorkany |
Other |
Hungarian |
A Hungarian witch, the mother of the demon Sarkany. She can turn a person
into a horse. Originally, Boszorkany was a male magician. |
Fene |
Other |
Hungarian |
A Hungarian demon, and the opposite of Isten, the god of light. Fene is
also the name of the place where demons roam. |
Guta |
Other |
Hungarian |
A greatly feared Hungarian demon who beats his victims to death. |
Hadur |
Other |
Hungarian |
He was also called Hadak Ura. Both names mean Lord of War. Originally, he
was the god of fire, and then he became a war god. He was the third son of
Arany Atyácska (Golden Father) and Hajnal Anyácska (Dawn Mother) the main
god and goddess. He had many brothers and sisters, including his two
brothers: Napkirály (King Sun) and Szélkirály (King Wind). |
Isten |
Other |
Hungarian |
The Hungarian supreme god and the personification of all that is light in
the world. He created everything, and his eagles led the Hungarian people
to their new homeland. The arrow, tree, horse and phallus are his
symbols. |
Napkiraly |
Other |
Hungarian |
He is the ancient Hungarian god of the Sun. His name means King Sun, and
he is the oldest son of Arany Atyácska (Golden Father) and Hajnal Anyácska
(Dawn Mother), the main god and goddess. He has several sisters and
brothers in Heaven, on the top of the World Tree. He is the Sun, riding
his silver-haired horse fron East to West every day, seeing everything. |
Szelkiraly |
Other |
Hungarian |
He is the Hungarian god of the Wind and the Rain. His name means King
Wind. He is the second son of Arany Atyácska and Hajnal Anyácska, brother
of Hadak Ura nad Napkirály. He is thought to be a great young man in blue
and green clothes, a falcon feather on his hat, his hair is long and dark
brown, and his armour and weapons are made of silver. |
Hebat |
Other |
Hurrian |
The Hurrian goddess of beauty, fertility and royalty. She is the wife of
the supreme god Teshub. She may be identical to the sky-goddess Hepit. |
Hedammu |
Other |
Hurrian |
A Hurrian snake-like demon which lives in the sea. The creature is
insatiable. |
Irsirra |
Other |
Hurrian |
The Hurrian goddess of fate. |
Sarruma |
Other |
Hurrian |
A Hurrian god whose name means "king of the mountains". He is a son of the
weather-god Tesub and the goddess Hebat. He rides on a tiger and his
attribute is an axe. |
Tarhunt |
Other |
Hurrian |
"Mighty one, victor." An ancient Hurrian weather-god. He corresponds to
the Hittite Iskur. |
Upelluri |
Other |
Hurrian |
The 'dreaming god' upon whose shoulders the gods placed the stone giant
Ullikummi. Upelluri, in deep meditation, had not felt the being placed on
his shoulders. He is the Atlas of Hurrian myth. |
Shurdi |
Other |
Illyrian |
The Illyrian god of thunderstorms. |
Prende |
Other |
Illyrians |
Goddess of love worshipped by the ancient Illyrians and, later, the
Albanians. The wife of Perendi, the Illyrian thunder-god, Prende is
referred to in folktales and legends as the "queen of beauty" (zoja e
bukuris). After the Catholicization of the region, Prende was absorbed
into the new church as a minor saint; as in pre-Christian days, her holy
day always falls on a Friday. |
Danavas |
Other |
Indian |
Demonic beings of the ocean in Indian mythology. |
Vyantara |
Other |
Indian |
In Indian mythology, the Vyantara are the second of the four categories of
gods in the Jainistic Work of Salvation, next to the Vaimanika, the
Jyotisha, and the Bhavanavasi. They live in the space between the upper
regions of the underworld and the earth surface. |
Suparsha |
Other |
Indian Jainism |
The seventh Tirthankara (prophet of salvation) of Indian Jainism. His
attribute is the swastika, which symbolizes the four levels of existence:
the world of the gods, the world of humans, the world of animals, and the
Hell. |
Latura |
Other |
Indonesia |
The Nias (Indonesia) god of the dead. His older brother is Lowalangi, the
ruler of the sky. |
Raksasa |
Other |
Indonesia |
In Indonesia, a demon or demoness of the wilderness. It is usually a
man-eating giant. |
Gergasis |
Other |
Indonesian |
Quasi-human beings of gigantic size who live on one of the Indonesian
islands. Prince Merong became their king and built the city Langkasuka.
Also Brobdingnagians. |
Jin Laut |
Other |
Indonesian |
An Indonesian sea demon. In Javanese mythology, a servant of the goddess
of the southern ocean, who can kill a person by sitting on his chest. |
Raeit Ngabal |
Other |
Indonesian |
An Indonesian forest-god. |
Singa |
Other |
Indonesian Batak |
A mythical creature of the Indonesian Batak people who live in the
mountains in Sumatra. Although the name means "lion", it resembles no
living creature. Its representation, generally confined to the head, is
the synthesis of several superior forms of creation and its appearance
varies between the buffalo and a distorted human figures. However, some
Singas show clearly identifiable legs beside the face and every form of
intermediate between the Singa and the clearly anthropomorphic is to be
found. Characteristics are invariable the bilateral symmetry, the
lengthened face, and round impressive eyes, occasionally accompanied by
highly developed eye-brows (which at time are depicted almost like
antlers). |
Ahimelech |
Other |
Israel |
The high priest of Israel, executed on Saul's orders for treason. |
Nagakumara |
Other |
Jainism |
In Jainism, a sub-division of the Bhavanavasin gods. The Nagakumara can
generate rain and thunder and were originally deities associated with
water. |
Vaimanika |
Other |
Jainism |
The highest of the four categories of gods in Jainism (old-Indian Work of
Salvation), next to the Vyantara, the Jyotisha, and the Bhavanavasi. The
Vimanika live in mobile palaces in the heavens. |
Aji Saka |
Other |
Java |
A prince or scholar from Javanese myth who came from the west and who
brought science and civilization to the island, including the Javanese
script. |
Bale Kenchur |
Other |
Java |
"House of the Dead". In Java, the mortuary near the cemetare where the
dead await burial. A living person may go lie down there for a night if he
expects to receive a message from the dead. |
Drupadi |
Other |
Java |
In Javanese mythology, the wife of Yudistira, leader of the Pandawas. She
is an excellent archer and often joins in battle, dressed as a man. |
Gatutkaca |
Other |
Java |
In the Javanese wayang myths, a formidable warrior who posesses a magic
jacket with which he can fly long distances. He is the son of Bima by the
giantess Arimbi. |
Macan Gadungan |
Other |
Java |
A 'were-tiger' in Javanese legend. It has the body of a tiger but the
spirit of a man. It is said that a man's soul can leave his body during
sleep. If the man has a smooth upper lip, without the dimple in the
middle, he must be a were-tiger. Most men do not know that they become
tigers at night, but other can change themselves into a tiger by magic. |
Narada |
Other |
Java |
A sage in Javanese mythology who warns people of impending disasters.
Since he is the messenger of the gods he has knowledge of the future. |
Nawang Wulan |
Other |
Java |
The moon-goddess on Java. She is widely venerated as the goddess of love (cinta,
asmara) and fertility. The worship of the moon, especially by women, seems
to have been widespread in Indonesia centuries ago. |
Tukma |
Other |
Juaneno Indian |
Tukma is an important being in Juaneno Indian mythology. Also called
Night, Tukma created the world, sea, animals, and plants. Originally the
ocean was overcrowded until a fish dove down and brought up a huge black
stone called "the tosaut." It emptied the bitter liquid from inside the
stone into the ocean until it reached its present size. The tosaut
belonged to Tukma, so he also had a part in creating the ocean. After the
ocean was formed Tukma created the first man, Ehoni. Tukma created the
world, sea, animals, and plants according to Juaneno Indian mythology. |
Abigor |
Other |
Judeo-Christian |
In pre Judeo-Christian theology, Abigor was one of the upper demons of
Hell. Abigor supposedly commanded the infernal regions of Hell and was the
demon of warfare and battle. He knows the secrets of victory which he will
sell to the prince who will offer him his soul. He was depicted as riding
a winged horse. |
Gehenna |
Other |
Judeo-Christian |
"Place of Torment." The Valley of Hinnom, south-west of Jerusalem, where
Solomon, king of Israel, built "a high place", or place of worship, for
the gods Chemosh and Moloch. The valley came to be regarded as a place of
abomination because some of the Israelites sacrificed their children to
Moloch there. In a later period it was made a refuse dump and perpetual
fires were maintained there to prevent pestilence. Thus, in the New
Testament, Gehenna became synonymous with hell. |
Golgotha |
Other |
Judeo-Christian |
Golgotha is the name of the site where Jesus Christ was crucified. Its
name, which means "skull" in Hebrew, is either derived from its form or
from the skulls of executed persons that were found there. According to
some the place was situated near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, within
the walls of present Jerusalem, while others hold that it is outside the
Damascus Gate, north of the city. |
Zaim |
Other |
Judeo-Christian |
A nocturnal manifestation of the Devil. He enslaved King Nimrod so that
when he pointed at some evil, Nimrod was forced to do it. |
Kamulla |
Other |
Kassite |
The Kassite god of water. He is similar to the Akkadian god Ea. |
Reahu |
Other |
Khmer |
In Khmer mythology, the dark demon who pursues the sun and the moon
through the heavens, trying to swallow them. Cp. Rahu. |
Nei Marena |
Other |
Kiribati |
"The Goddess". In Kiribati myth, she is the daughter of Na Atibu and Nei
Teuke, the first beings. |
Ruki |
Other |
Kiribati |
In Kiribati myth, the sea serpent; son of Na Atibu and Nei Teuke, the
first beings. |
Te Nao |
Other |
Kiribati |
In Kiribati myth, the god of the waves. He is the son of Na Atibu and Nei
Teuke, the first beings. |
Adiri |
Other |
Kiwai |
In Kiwai belief, the afterworld, the land of the dead where life is
similar but easier than life on earth. Adiri used to be a barren place,
inhabited only by Adíri and his daughter Díviro. When Sído, the first man,
died he opened the way to Adiri. Sído married Díviro and from their union
came forth the various plants which grew in the afterworld. He then rubbed
his teeth with wood to produce fire and proceeded to built a vast house,
several miles long, which became the residence of the spirits of the
dead. |
Wapaq |
Other |
Koryak |
Koryak term for the powerful spirits believed by them to be inherent in
the fly agaric. |
Wulbari |
Other |
Krachi |
The Supreme god of the Krachi of West Africa. |
Usukun |
Other |
Lacandone |
Among the Lacandone people of Mexico, a troglodyte, the brother of the
chief deity Nohochakyum. He is greatly feared because he governs
earthquakes. |
Hituhitu |
Other |
Lakalai |
In the belief of the Lakalai (central New Britain), the spirit of a dead
man when it appears to humans. |
Horagalles |
Other |
Lapp |
The ancient Lapp god of thunder. He is usually portrayed carrying two
hammers (the symbol of thunder). His wife is the goddess Raudna. He is
equated with the Norse god Thor. |
Pajonn |
Other |
Lapp |
The Lapp god of thunder. |
Waralden Olmai |
Other |
Lapps |
One of the most prominent gods of the ancient Lapps. His name means "world
god". |
Yambe Akka |
Other |
Lapps |
According to the Lapps of Northern Scandinavia, Yambe-akka is the queen of
the underworld. |
Ezerines |
Other |
Lithuanian |
A Lithuanian god of lakes, but not, so it appears, of rivers and streams. |
Gabija |
Other |
Lithuanian |
Gabija is a Lithuanian goddess of fire and the household. She also appears
as a spirit of fire. |
Giltine |
Other |
Lithuanian |
The Lithuanian goddess of death. As a woman (or a witch) dressed in white
she strangles or chokes a sick person. |
Giraitis |
Other |
Lithuanian |
The Lithuanian god of the forests. He is referred to in seventeenth- and
eighteenth-century manuscripts, which suggests that he is a deity of
relatively modern invention. |
Jagaubis |
Other |
Lithuanian |
A Lithuanian god of fire. In popular belief and tradition his function has
been taken over by Gabija. |
Kaukas |
Other |
Lithuanian |
A western Lithuanian spirit which brings fortune and good luck. This
being, thought to be dwarf-like in appearance, helps in the household and
on the fields. The Kaukai are similar to the northern Lithuanian Pukys and
the Finnish Maahiset. |
Perkunas |
Other |
Lithuanian |
The Lithuanian thunder and lightning god. Perkunas is similar to the
Latvian Perkons. |
Telavel |
Other |
Lithuanian |
The Lithuanian star-god who forged the sun and placed it in the sky. |
Velnias |
Other |
Lithuanian |
The ancient Lithuanian term for the devil. It is similar to the Latvian
Velns. |
Zemyna |
Other |
Lithuanian |
Because all life came from the Lithuanian earth-goddess Zemyna (Zemina,
Semmes mate, Zemnyele, or Sieroji), she was honored at the birth of every
child. Her image was tenderly kissed in the morning and the evening; food
offerings were laid in front of stones, tied to tree boughs, or cast into
flowing water to thank her for the new life. Her name means "earth", and
the Baltic poems exalt her for productiveness by calling her "blossomer",
"bud raiser", and "flower-giver". Her special area of concern was plant
life--not only foodstuffs but weeds, trees, the algae of ponds, and the
arctic lichen. Trees with three leaves or nine branches were especially
connected with Zemnya; the oak, the linden, and the pruce were her
favorite trees. Women lived on in lindens and spruce; men, in oaks,
maples, and birches. Virginal young girls survived as lilies, and village
ancestors reside in fruit trees. Zemnya is the daughter of moon god
Menulis and the sun goddess Saule. |
Were |
Other |
Luo |
The supreme god of the Luo of Kenya. He controls life and death, and he
strikes down wrongdoers with thunderbolts. |
Striges |
Other |
Macedonia |
Winged female demons from Macedonia who preyed on little children, drank
their blood and ate their entrails. They were supposed to be the
descendants of the Harpies. |
Cabirus |
Other |
Macedonian |
A national god of the Macedonians, the patron of the country. |
Andriamanitra |
Other |
Madagascar |
A good and even god of Madagascar who created the earth and human beings. |
Rasoalao |
Other |
Madagascar |
The goddess of wild animals and of the hunt on Madagascar. She is the
sister of Ravola, and a member of the Vazimba gods. |
Razana |
Other |
Madagascar |
In the myths of Madagascar, the ancestors who have become gods. |
Vizimba |
Other |
Madagascar |
The spirits who lived on Madagascar before humans came. They are very
powerful in spiritual ways. |
Zanahary |
Other |
Madagascar |
Zanahary is the supreme god of the Madagascan pantheon. He has both male
and female aspects. There is an earthly Zanahary who creates humans from
clay or wood, and there is a heavenly Zanahary who breathes life into
them. But occasionally they fight over their creations and then the
heavenly god takes back this life-giving breath. The earthly god keeps the
bodies (this explains the colorful and festive funerals of Madagascar).
Zanahary's wife is the goddess Andriamanitra. |
Ahisham |
Other |
Makiritare, Venezuela |
Ahisham, one of the star people and transformed into the tropical bird,
was the first to arrive in the black night sky. He became the planet
Mars. |
Bomoh |
Other |
Malay |
A Bomoh is a Malay witchdoctor. Also known as pawang or dukun. They are
still active today and work professionally. |
Bukit Kaca |
Other |
Malay |
In Malay cosmology, Bukit Kaca is the Mountain of Glass. It is so high
that its summit reflects the rays of the rising sun so that we see it red,
orange, and amber. |
Gerjis |
Other |
Malay |
A terrible monster in Malay mythology, a colossal tiger-like creature. One
day the animals got together to discuss the problem of the Gerjis, who was
rapidly reducing their numbers. They chose the Kanchil, the Mouse-deer, to
come up with a solution. The Kanchil convinced the Gerjis that the sky
would soon fall down and offered to dig a hole in the ground where the
Gerjis could hide in safety. The monster agreed and was duly buried. He
was killed by the Elephant who crushed his skull with a tree. |
Indera Bayu |
Other |
Malay |
"Divine Wind." In Malay mythology, the magical pet bird of Princess Chaya
Bulan ("Moonshade"). It is a female bird which knows all things. She
becomes the Prime Minister to King Budiman and his son Lela Muda. Indera
Bayu can cure all illnesses by her singing. |
Jentayu |
Other |
Malay |
The Jentayu is the water bird. |
Langsoir |
Other |
Malay |
The langsoir is a Malay vampire, the restless undead form of a woman who
died in childbirth, who now preys upon infants and children for the most
part. They attack with long nailed hands. Some legends say these vampires
must place the throat of their victims to the back of their necks to feed,
making smaller victims even more prefered. They can take the form of owls. |
Pontianak |
Other |
Malay |
A Pontianak is a female Malay vampire. In order to chase its victims, its
head detaches from its body with its entrails trailing below. When the
head reaches its victim, it sucks his / her blood. |
Raja Angin |
Other |
Malay |
"King of the Wind". The Malay wind-god. |
Raja Naga |
Other |
Malay |
In Malay mythology, the King of the Sea Serpents, the largest of all the
dragons in the ocean. He lives in the Pusat Tasik palace. |
Sheikh Ali |
Other |
Malay |
In Malay mythology, a terrible king who commands three regiments: one of
flying horses, one of flying lions, and one of flying elephants. |
Taming Sari |
Other |
Malay |
The magical kris (Malay dagger) called Taming Sari which belonged to Hang
Tuah, Admiral of the Malaccan Sultanate, is said to render its owner
invincibility. The kris is now in the possesion of the Perak royal family. |
Hantu Kuang |
Other |
Malaysian |
In Malaysian belief, the Ghost with a Hundred Eyes. |
Kaseteran |
Other |
Malaysian |
In Indonesian and Malaysian mythology, Kaseteran is the Land of the
Ghosts. It is the dense, dark forest where Siwa reigns. In this forest,
also called Forest of Spirits, the spirits dance before the eyes of
fearful visitors. Only the heads with their luminous eyes are visible.
Some of these spirits creep along the ground and lick the visitors' feet
in the dark with their long, cold tongues. |
Mambang Kuning |
Other |
Malaysian |
The dangerous spirit of sunset in Malaysian folklore. |
Penyakit |
Other |
Malaysian |
A dangerous Malaysian spirit, called the Sickmaker. |
Koriro |
Other |
Maori |
An epithet of the Maori god Maui, which means 'bright, cheerful'. It may
also mean 'reciting' like someone repeating magic formulae, as when Maui
did when he obtained fire from Mahu-ike and in creating his many
inventions. |
Letao |
Other |
Marshall Islands |
The trickster, Letao, was born from Wulep's head, along with his brother
Jemeluit (rainbow). They were born on the magical island called Eb. Letao
then accidentally created all the rest of the islands by stealing a basket
of dirt from his father. The basket had a hole in it and spilled dots of
dirt across the ocean, thus creating the Marshall Islands. The discarded
basket became the island of Kili. He is also responsible for introducing
fire to the islands. |
Lijakwe |
Other |
Marshall Islands |
Lijakwe is the most beautiful woman of the Marshall Islands. She was so
beautiful she had to live on her own at the edge of the lagoon in Ebon.
When she bathed in the lagoon, the sky turned the many colors of sunset.
When it does, people used to say, "Lijakwe must be bathing." |
Mejenkwaar |
Other |
Marshall Islands |
A type of demon in the Marshall Islands. These demons are almost
exclusively female. When a woman was pregnant, often her husband who sail
off to go and collect gifts or special food, etc. for his wife. However,
if he was gone for too long a period of time, the pregnant woman would
turn into a mejenkwaad. Very often this would mean she'd eat her newborn
child. When the husband arrived, she'd go after him as well. The story of
Lokokelok tells of a man who evades being eaten by a mejenkwaad through a
series of tricks he plays on her. |
Rimenanwe |
Other |
Marshall Islands |
Rimenanwe are the little people of the Marshall Islands. They are rascally
little fellows, who mostly steer clear of humans, but like to "borrow"
canoes and food and such, as they can get away with it. |
Bunosi |
Other |
Melanesian |
A Melanesian creator god. |
Kambel |
Other |
Melanesian |
A Melanesian sky god. |
Koevasi |
Other |
Melanesian |
A Melanesian snake goddess. |
Marruni |
Other |
Melanesian |
The Melanesian god of earthquakes. |
Mesede |
Other |
Melanesian |
The Melanesian god of archery. |
Nevinbimbaau |
Other |
Melanesian |
A terrible ogress from Melanesian myth |
Yaotl |
Other |
Mexican |
The Mexican Lord of Darkness. |
Faravai |
Other |
Micronesian |
The son of the Micronesian sea god. |
Nomoi |
Other |
Micronesian |
A Micronesian deity. He has the power to keep the typhoons away. |
Puntan |
Other |
Micronesian |
The Micronesian god who existed before earth and sky. The world was
created from various parts of his dead body. |
Empung Luminuut |
Other |
Minahas |
A popular goddess of the Minahas, on the northern peninsula of the
Indonesian island Sulawesi (Celebes). She is the first deity, born from a
rock and impregnated by the western wind. She gave birth to the sun-god
Toar. With her son they became the primordial pair of gods, and both gods
and man are their descendants. |
Chemosh |
Other |
Moabites |
The god of war and the national god of the Moabites. He is a
jack-of-all-trades, and a master of most. He is equivalent to the
Babylonian Shamash. |
Shka Bavas |
Other |
Moksha-Mordvins |
The God of the Sky of the Moksha-Mordvins. He is supreme among the gods,
and offerings and prayers must be made to him first, before all other
gods. |
Qormusta |
Other |
Mongol |
The high god of the Mongols. He is also known as Chormusta. |
Sholmos |
Other |
Mongol |
Sholmoses are evil humanoid demons in Mongol mythology. |
Aigiarm |
Other |
Mongolian |
An ancient Mongolian princess who is said to have challenged all suitors,
her virginity against their horses, to the one who could wrestle her to
the ground. There is no record of her ever marrying, and it is told that
she won 10,000 horses. |
Atugan |
Other |
Mongolian |
The Mongolian earth goddess and source of all life. Her power is beyond
understanding and can be bestowed. |
Odqan |
Other |
Mongolian |
A Mongolian fire-spirit. His female counterpart is the 'fire-mother' Yal-un
eke. |
Tung Ak |
Other |
Mongolian |
The Mongolian god of chiefs. He controls the minor spirits. |
Qandisa |
Other |
Morocco |
A demoness of Morocco. |
Alwani |
Other |
Mosquito |
Thunder, sometimes confused with Wan-Aisa. They are considered creators of
the world and mankind. The Mosquito, Nicaragua/Hondura. |
Arama |
Other |
Moxos |
The god of light whose wife is the rainbow. The Moxos, South America. |
Singbonga |
Other |
Mundas |
The chief god, as well as the creator-god and sun-god, of the Mundas, a
people from the federate states Bihar and Orissa of eastern India. Among
the Ho people he is called Sirma Thakur ('Lord of the Heaven'). He is
venerated with sacrifices of white goats and cocks. |
Samson |
Other |
Nazarite |
A Nazarite and possessed of extraordinary strength, one of the Biblical
Judges. His adventures are found in the Book of Judges, chapters 13-16,
and he is mentioned in the New Testament (Hebrews 11:32). The Philistine
woman Delilah betrayed him into the hands of the Philistines. |
Nkosi Yama Kosi |
Other |
Ndebele |
The supreme being of the Ndebele (Zimbabwe). |
Nehalennia |
Other |
Netherlands |
A local goddess who was venerated in the area around Domburg (Walcheren,
Netherlands) in the second and third century CE. She was regarded as a
protector of travelers or seafarers; several inscriptions on votive stones
and altars show gratitude for a safe passage across the North Sea. |
Hiyoyoa |
Other |
New Guinea |
The Wagawaga (New Guinea) land of the dead. It is believed to lie under
the sea near Maivara on Milne Bay. This land resembles the upper world.
The god Tumudurere and his wife and children live there. |
Kaiamunu |
Other |
New Guinea |
A demon in the folk belief of the people in the Purari Delta (New Guinea).
He plays a big part in the initiation ceremonies for boys, whom he is
supposed to swallow and then regurgitate to life. He is represented as a
kind of wickerwork image. |
Wunekau |
Other |
New Guinea |
The sun-god and creator of New Guinea. His most important appearance is
that of the giant snake Make. The name of this god must only be spoken
with the utmost respect. |
Mae |
Other |
New Hebrides |
Mysterious snakes from the Banks Islands (New Hebrides). They are believed
to become the guiding spirits of all those who encounter them. If a young
man returns home after a day of fishing, at sunset he might see a young
girl sitting on a rock, her head covered with flowers. She will beckon him
to climb the steep cliff and when he approaches her he will notice that
she has the face of a girl from his own village, or a neighboring one.
Afraid that she is a mae he will look closer and see that her elbows and
knees are on backwards; this betrays her true nature and the young man
will flee. Should he, however, hit her with the leaf of the dracaena she
will assume her true form and slip away as a snake. |
Malanggan |
Other |
New Ireland |
A ceremony for the commemoration of the dead on New Ireland (Bismarck
Archipelago). At the same time, it is a initiation ceremony for young men.
The spirits of the ancestors attend these ceremonies and arrive in visible
form in a fish-shaped, 12 foot long boat. These ancestral spirits are
often sculpted in wood, seated in their boat. |
Solanang |
Other |
New Ireland |
The supreme deity of New Ireland. Each year Solanang arrives seated on a
fish-boat in two forms: a god and a goddess. |
Tingang |
Other |
Ngadju-Dajak |
The sky-god of the Ngadju-Dajak on the Indonesian island Borneo. Tingang
("rhinoceros-bird") created the world-tree together with his wife Tambon.
From this tree all the children descended. He is also known as Mahatala or
Mahataral. |
Lowalangi |
Other |
Nias |
The god of the sky and winds among the Nias of Indonesia. He is the
creator of the human race and bestows upon them souls or breath. Of each
person that is born he inquires what he wishes to be or to do on earth. He
is the younger son of Ina-da Samadulo Höse, the mother of the gods who had
two sets of mixed twins. Lowalangi married the twin of Latura, his elder
brother, and with her became the ancestor of the human race. |
Sihai |
Other |
Nias |
The wind-god of the Nias. |
Silewe Nazarate |
Other |
Nias |
The moon goddess of the Indonesian island Nias. She is the personification
of all that is alive. Her husband is the supreme god Lowalangi. |
Sirao |
Other |
Nias |
Creator god of the Indonesian island Nias (near Sumatra). He created the
world and the first being, Sihai. According to tradition, from Sihai's
heart sprout the World Tree, and his eyes became the sun and the moon. His
son is Lowalangi. |
Masaya |
Other |
Nicaragua |
The goddess of volcanoes in Nicaragua. |
Juok |
Other |
Nilotes |
The name of the creator god of the ancient Nilotes of South-Sudan. With a
few of the Nilotic tribes (Shillul, Dinka and Nuer) he has kept his
monotheistic characteristics and he is the supreme god and creator,
present in all that exists. He controls the destinies of all the creatures
on earth. Other Nilotic tribes (Acholi and Lango) use the term Jok only
for a number of local or ancestral spirits |
Mictanteot |
Other |
Niquiran |
The goddess of the underworld in Niquiran mythology. |
Misca |
Other |
Niquiran |
The Niquiran god of merchants. |
Tamagostad |
Other |
Niquiran |
The chief god of the Niquiran. |
Vizetot |
Other |
Niquitan |
The god of famine of the Niquitan of Nicaragua. |
Kiavari |
Other |
Orokolo |
The Orokolo word for spirits of the dead. |
Kurdalaegon |
Other |
Ossetian |
The Ossetian god of blacksmiths. He shoes the dead man's horse, thus
helping him on his journey to the other side (the funeral ceremonies
reflect this). Kurdalaegon's epithet is 'the heavenly one.' |
Uacilla |
Other |
Ossetian |
The Ossetian spirit of rain, thunder, and lightning. The illa component
derives from Elias (Elijah) the Old Testament prophet who is in Eastern
Europe venerated as the ruler of rain and thunder. |
Xucau |
Other |
Ossetian |
The Ossetian name for their supreme god. He rules over the heavenly
spirits (see also Uacilla). |
Khusaw |
Other |
Ossetians |
The All-Mighty. The chief god of the pagan pantheon of the Ossetians, a
mountain people claiming descent from the Indo-Iranian Sarmatians and
living in the Caucasus, on the border between Russia and Georgia. When the
Ossetians adopted Christianity, they identified Khusaw with the concept of
God the Father. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, both North and South
Ossetia have witnessed a revival of pagan ritual, heavily mixed with
Christian (and, among the Muslim minority, Islamic) practice. |
Shaubarak |
Other |
Ossetians |
Spirit of darkness and patron of thieves in the pagan pantheon of the
Ossetians, a mountain people claiming descent from the Indo-Iranian
Sarmatians and living in the Caucasus, on the border between Russia and
Georgia. When the Ossetians adopted Christianity, they identified
Shaubarak with the figure of Satan. Since the fall of the Soviet Union,
both North and South Ossetia have witnessed a revival of pagan ritual,
heavily mixed with Christian (and, among the Muslim minority, Islamic)
practice. |
Wasilla |
Other |
Ossetians |
God of storms, thunder, and the harvest in the pagan pantheon of the
Ossetians, a mountain people claiming descent from the Indo-Iranian
Sarmatians and living in the Caucasus, on the border between Russia and
Georgia. When the Ossetians adopted Christianity, they identified Wasilla
with the figure of St. Ilya, or Elijah. Since the fall of the Soviet
Union, both North and South Ossetia have witnessed a revival of pagan
ritual, heavily mixed with Christian (and, among the Muslim minority,
Islamic) practice. |
Wasterzhi |
Other |
Ossetians |
The most popular deity in the pagan pantheon of the Ossetians, an ethnic
group claiming descent from the Indo-Iranian Sarmatians and living on the
border between Russia and Georgia. A warrior god (also linked with sun
worship), Wasterzhi is generally portrayed as a horseman with a long
beard, riding a white horse. The site most sacred to him is Hetag's Grove,
a wooded area in the mountains near the North Ossetian capital of
Vladikavkaz. |
Underworld |
Other |
Other |
Among many religions the lowest part of the world, usually represented as
the realm of the god or goddess of the dead. It is here that the spirits
of the deceased stay. The underworld is seperated from the world of the
living by an impassable abyss or river (such as the Styx). The entrance to
this realm is often guarded by a huge monster, such as the Greek Cerberus
and the Norse Garm. The Greeks and the Romans had their Hades; the
Egyptians Duat; in the ancient Indian mythology eggshaped worldview
Brahmanda it was called Naraka; the Germans called it Helheim; the Incas
called it Uca Pacha; the Aztec referred to the underworld as Mictlan; and
the Maya believed in Mitnal. |
Chicuna |
Other |
Panama |
The supreme being of the Amerindians of Panama during the nineteenth
century. |
Dabiaba |
Other |
Panama-Colombia |
A river or water-goddess of South and Central America (Panama-Colombia
border). According to the sixteenth-century writer Peter Martyr Anglerius,
she is the mother of the creator. |
Epalirai |
Other |
Papu |
Forest spirits of the Kyaka of the mountains of western Papua. |
Matabiri |
Other |
Papua |
The ugly swamp spirits of Papuan mythology, they are pot-bellied with
sunken cheeks. They are a class of Matagaigai. |
Oa Rove |
Other |
Papua |
In the mythology of the Roro people of Papua, Oa Rove is the god of
changes. He can change his appearance at will. From an inaccessible rock
he threw down the weapons which since then men have used in warfare: a bow
and arrows, a spear, and a club. |
Arioch |
Other |
Paradise Lost |
The name used for one of the fallen angels in Paradise Lost. Milton took
it from Dan. ii, 14, where it is the name of the captain of the guard. The
names means 'a fierce lion'. |
Setebos |
Other |
Patagonian |
A god or devil worshipped by the Patagonians. |
Iegad |
Other |
Pelew Islands |
The god who brought light to earth in the myth of the Pelew Islands. By
bringing light he made sure that humans would wake up in the morning
instead of sleeping all day. |
Chanak |
Other |
Philippine |
A Chanak is a demonic baby from Philippine folklore. During the day it is
a normal looking baby, but during the night it transforms into a small
demon child that hunts for meat. |
Boroka |
Other |
Philippines |
A cannibalistic witch on the Philippines. She has the head of a women,
four feet like a horse, and the wings of an eagle. She is fond of eating
children. |
Gimokodan |
Other |
Philippines |
Among the Bagobo of Mindanao (Philippines), the Land of the Dead. It is
surrounded by the Dark River. There, the souls of the dead will meet a
many-breasted giantess who will suckle them before they enter Gimokodan.
The land consists of two areas: the Red Region is reserved for the heroes
who died in battle; the White Region is for ordinary people. They will
rest in daytime and wander around at night. |
Baal Addir |
Other |
Phoenician |
The Phoenician god of fertility and the underworld. He is the patron deity
of the city-state Byblos (near Beirut) and from there his cult spread all
the way to Carthage. The Roman troops stationed in North Africa called him
Jupiter Valens. |
Baal Gebal |
Other |
Phoenician |
The supreme goddess of the Phoenician city Byblos around 3000 BCE. Her
name means "lady of Gebal", which the city was called in those days. The
ruin of the temple once dedicated to her can still be found in the village
of Djebail (some 30 km. north-east of Beirut), the former Byblos. |
Baal Qarnain |
Other |
Phoenician |
The Phoenician mountain-god, named "lord of the two horns" after the two
mountains with the same name in the Gulf of Tunis. |
Kothar |
Other |
Phoenician |
The Phoenician god of arts and crafts and the builder of the palace of
Baal. |
Sadrapa |
Other |
Phoenician |
The Phoenician god of healing who was worshipped in ancient Carthage. The
Syrians also worshipped him, mainly in Palmyra. Sadrapa is the protective
deity of small insects and snakes. His Greek name is Satrapes. |
Shadrapha |
Other |
Phoenician |
A Phoenician god of healing. |
Taautos |
Other |
Phoenician |
The Phoenician precursor of the Egyptian god Thoth. |
Gruagach |
Other |
Pictish/Scottish |
The Pictish/Scottish male equivalent of Scotia he was also looked upon as
the guardian of cattle, a bold warrior and brilliant sorcerer. The name
means "the long haired one" and is a quite accurate depiction of Gruagach
whose long hair is supposed to portray rays of the sun and therefore
suggests that he was worshipped as a form of sun-god. |
Siliniez |
Other |
Poland |
A wood-god from Poland to whom moss was sacred. The fire on his altar was
kept burning only with moss. |
Al Uzza |
Other |
Pre-Islamic Allah |
The youngest of the three daughters of the pre-Islamic Allah and the
patron goddess of Mecca. She is identified with Venus as the morning star
and her name means "the mighty one". She resides in a tree similar to the
acacia. |
Ausweikis |
Other |
Prussian |
A Prussian god who cured the sick. Modeled after the Greek Asclepius. |
Bardoyats |
Other |
Prussian |
A Prussian god of ships, patron of sailors. |
Deivai |
Other |
Prussian |
The Prussian respectful term for 'goddess'. |
Vele |
Other |
Prussian |
Prussian spirits of the waters and woods. |
Suaixtix |
Other |
Prussians |
A designation of the Sun and the name of the sun-god of the ancient
Prussians. The name suggests a connection with the word svaistikas ("he
who shines around"). |
Atgezual |
Other |
Puelche (Argentina) |
The Great Spirit of the Puelche (Argentina). |
Coquena |
Other |
Puna de Atacama |
The supernatural protector of the vicuñas in the Quechua folklore of the
Puna de Atacama (Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia). Coquena is a little man dressed
in white who travels at night driving large herds of vicuña. He punishes
those who wantonly kill these animals. |
Jaljogini |
Other |
Punjab |
In Indian folk belief, especially in the Punjab, a disease-causing spirit
which occupies streams and wells, and casts spell on children and women. |
Ekkekko |
Other |
Quechua |
The Quechua god of fortune. He is usually depicted as a pot-bellied,
cheerful dwarf who carries all sorts of domestic goods. His cult is
associated with the annual fairs, called Alacitas, that are held in
Cochabamba, La Paz, and Oruro. |
Koliada |
Other |
Russian |
Also known as Koljada, this Russian goddess is the personification of Time
and the Winter Solstice. A special festival is held in her honor at the
Solstice |
Koshchei |
Other |
Russian |
A symbol of death and magic in Russian mythology, Koshchei the Deathless
(also Kashchej) is a powerful wizard or demigod who gains immortality by
keeping his fiery soul hidden inside an egg. The egg is inside a duck,
which is inside a hare, which is inside an iron chest, which is buried
under a green oak tree, which is located on the island of Bujan on the
wide ocean. |
Alkonost |
Other |
Russian Orth |
In Russian legends Alkonost is "the bird of paradise", a miraculous bird
with a human face. Alkonost lays eggs on the sea-shore, then puts them
into the water, becalming the sea for six or seven days; and on the sixth
or seventh day Alkonost's nestlings hatch and a storm begins. Alkonost has
a very loud voice; those who hear it will forget all they know and wish. |
Almaqah |
Other |
Saba |
A moon-god and tutelary god of the South Arabian kingdom of Saba. The
members of the tribe of Saba called themselves 'the children of Almaqah.'
He is symbolized by a cluster of lightning flashes and a weapon which
looks similar to the letter S. His symbolical animal is the bull. Almaqah
is referred to in some texts as 'Lord of the horned goats.' |
Terlain |
Other |
Sakai |
The Sakai (Malay Peninsula) name for disastrous storms. These are caused
by imitating the notes or certain birds, by burning lice, or by teasing
dos, cats, and tame monkeys. |
Taranaich |
Other |
Scottish/Pictish/Gaelic |
Also Taranis. The Scottish/Pictish/Gaelic god of thunder and lightning.
His name is derived from the Gaelic word tarnach or taran meaning
"thunder". Taranaich was also said to be the name of a Pictish king and is
associated with the Gallic or Roman Jupiter. His attribute is a spoked
wheel. |
Khusor |
Other |
Semitic |
The Semitic god of navigation and incantations. |
Raashiel |
Other |
Semitic |
A Semitic earth-god. |
Rediyas |
Other |
Semitic |
A Semitic god of water. |
Terah |
Other |
Semitic |
An ancient Semitic moon god. |
Lahatala |
Other |
Seran |
In Seran mythology, the god of heaven. |
Tuniai |
Other |
Seran |
The creator in Seran mythology. |
Colleda |
Other |
Serbian |
The Serbian goddess of the winter solstice. See also Koliada. |
Aiwamdzu |
Other |
Shavante, Brazil |
Among the Shavante of Brazil, a creator god and an ancestral deity. |
Asare |
Other |
Sherente, Brazil |
The god of Kappa Orionis in the constellation of Orion, a god of thirst
and of the arid season. His thirst caused his brothers to dig a well from
which burst forth all the waters, eventually creating the sea. The
Sherente, Brazil. |
Dunne Enin |
Other |
Siberia |
An important goddess in Siberia; she ruled over the clan territory. |
Todote |
Other |
Siberia |
The Samoyed (Siberia) god of evil and of death. |
Baj Bajania |
Other |
Siberian |
The Siberian (Yakut) forest god beloved for his joyousness. |
Bugady Musun |
Other |
Siberian |
Siberian goddess, mother of all animals |
Chebeldei |
Other |
Siberian |
The inhabitants of the underworld in Siberian myth. They are composed
mainly of iron and are black in color and are not particularly friendly
towards human beings. |
Cholmus |
Other |
Siberian |
The Siberian creator of animals. |
Eskeri |
Other |
Siberian |
In Siberian (Tungus) myth, the creator who plunged into the primeval
waters to bring back the mud from which he created the earth. |
Kudia |
Other |
Siberian |
The Siberian god of the sky. |
Tomam |
Other |
Siberian |
The bird-goddess of the Siberian Ket people. |
Dadimunda |
Other |
Singhalese |
One of the most popular gods of the Singhalese people. He initially looked
after temples but became the 'treasurer' (devata) of the god Upulvan.
Later he emerged as the protector of Buddhism in Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
Dadimunda rides on an elephant and has many Yakshas in his retinue. |
Dala Kadavara |
Other |
Singhalese |
A Singhalese demoness who brings diseases and misfortune. Originally, Dala
Kadavara was an elephant-goddess. |
Pattini |
Other |
Singhalese |
The most prominent goddess of the Singhalese and Tamil pantheon on Sri
Lanka. Pattini (Patni) is the patroness of marriage and she holds plagues
at bay. It is believed that she introduced rice to the inhabitants of Sri
Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon). |
Lada |
Other |
Slav |
The Slav goddess of beauty. |
Topielce |
Other |
Slav |
Slav spirits who dwell in the waters of lakes. |
Crnobog |
Other |
Slavic |
The black god of the dead in Slavic mythology. The opposite of Bylebog. |
Erivorsh |
Other |
Slavic |
The Slavic god of storms. To the Czech peoples he was Varpulis, the god of
storm winds and an attendand of Perun. |
Jarovit |
Other |
Slavic |
A west Slavic god of war. He was especially worshipped in Pomerania (Pomorze,
Poland). His Latin name is Gerovitus. |
Kupala |
Other |
Slavic |
A Slavic goddess of water, magic and herbs. |
Najade |
Other |
Slavic |
Slavic water nymphs. Similar to the Greek Naiads. |
Nari |
Other |
Slavic |
Slavic demonic beings. |
Nyia |
Other |
Slavic |
The Slavic god of the dead. |
Porenutius |
Other |
Slavic |
The Slavic four-headed god of the island of Rugen (in the Baltic Sea).
Each head faced one of the four cardinal directions. |
Porevit |
Other |
Slavic |
A Slavic god of Summer. |
Rarog |
Other |
Slavic |
The Slavic god of whirlwinds. He appears in the shape of a hawk, a falcon,
and occasionally as a dwarf. |
Rodyanitse |
Other |
Slavic |
In Slavic mythology, the Rodyanitse are the spirits of deceased female
ancestors and are considered to be goddesses of fate and fairies. As three
women they appear at the cradle of a newborn child and decide the child's
fate. In invisible letters they write on the child's forehead the life
span and the way he or she will die. They also decide whether the child
will live a poor or rich life, and the measure of poverty or wealth. They
can be roughly compared with the Norns, the Norse goddesses of fate, and
the Greek Moirae. |
Rugiviet |
Other |
Slavic |
The Slavic god of war who cult center was on the island of Rugen in the
Baltic Sea. His name means "master on Rugen". He is represented with seven
heads and holding a sword. |
Sudjaje |
Other |
Slavic |
Female deities from Slavic myth who control destiny. |
Svarog |
Other |
Slavic |
Slavic sun and fire god, originally the supreme god of the Slavic
pantheon. He is the divine smith, and patron of the fire of the hearth and
of blacksmiths. In his capacity as a smith he is often equated with the
Greek Hephaestus. He is also thought responsible for institutionalizing
marriage. His sons are the gods Dabog and Svarozic. In later times he
degrades to some kind of fire demon. |
Svarozic |
Other |
Slavic |
An ancient Slavic fire god, especially of the fire that was used to dry
grain. His name survices today in the Rumanian sfarog, "torrid".
Svarozic's father is Svarog. |
Syen |
Other |
Slavic |
South Slavic household guardian spirits. |
Triglav |
Other |
Slavic |
"Three-Headed". The Slavic war god of the Baltic area, known especially
from Stettin and Brandenburg. The three heads represents the three realms:
heaven, earth, and the underworld. |
Vesna |
Other |
Slavic |
The Slavic goddess of spring. |
Vlkodlaks |
Other |
Slavic |
The Slavic werewolf. The name comes from vlko, "wolf". |
Yarovit |
Other |
Slavic |
Slavic god of victory. |
Zorya |
Other |
Slavic |
The Zorya are ancient Slavic sky and light goddesses, honored particularly
in Russia. Sometimes only two in number, they are usually portrayed as
three, a not uncommon number. They were three Slavic dawn goddesses. There
was Utrennyaya, the morning star; Vechernyaya, the evening star; and the
midnight Zorya. All have the same job: to guard a chained dog who tries to
eat the constellation Ursa Minor, the little bear. If the chain should
ever break and the dog should ever get loose, the universe will end. Thus
the Zoryas are guardian goddesses. |
Buyan |
Other |
Slavonic |
In Slavonic myth, the island home of the North, East, and West Winds. |
Dagoda |
Other |
Slavonic |
The Slavonic god of the west wind. Dagoda is perceived as the most gentle
of the deities that personify the winds. |
Zivena |
Other |
Slovakian |
The Slovakian goddess of life. |
Siho I Salo |
Other |
Solomon Islands |
A demon from the Solomon Islands |
Tindalo |
Other |
Solomon Islands |
On the island of Florida in the Solomon Islands, a tindalo is the spirit
or ghost of a dead man who in his lifetime possessed great mana or power.
It was believed that the tindalo retained this power after death. |
Kholomodumo |
Other |
Sotho |
A mythical monster from the Sotho people of Lesotho. At the beginning of
time it devoured the entire human race, except for an old woman. The woman
gave birth to twins. They killed the monster, who disgorged all humans
again. |
Evaki |
Other |
South American |
Evaki is the South American goddess of the Bakairi Indians, the goddess of
night and day. She has in her possession a pot with a lid, which she keeps
with her at all times. In the morning she pulls the lid off the pot to let
the sun out (this is the day). At the end of the day, the sun returns to
the pot and she closes the lid, so that the sun cannot be seen anymore
(this is the night). Evaki would also steal the sleep from lizard's eyes
(which is why their eyes seem to bulge so much). She would share the sleep
with the other living things. |
Berchta |
Other |
South German |
A goddess of South German mythology. She is akin to the Hulda of North
Germany, but after the introduction of Christianity she was degraded into
a scary old woman to frighten children. Berchta was sometimes depicted
with a long iron nose and one large foot |
Ayiyanayaka |
Other |
Sri Lanka |
A kind-hearted tutelary god of woodlands and countryside venerated by the
Dravidians and the Sinhalese. He is the protecting deity of the northern
part of the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka). According to one myth, he was
born as a golden statue from the right hand of Vishnu. Ayiyanayaka is
still invoked to protect crops and when there is danger of plague. |
Nuba |
Other |
Sudan |
A sky god of Sudan. |
Nzeanzo |
Other |
Sudan |
The Sudan god of rain, medicine, corn, fertility and metal-working. |
Wantu Su |
Other |
Sudan |
The supreme god of Sudan. |
Ndara |
Other |
Sulawesi |
The Ndara is the god of the underworld on Sulawesi. |
Yorka |
Other |
Surinam |
A Surinam Negro term for ghost, probably derived from the Carib Indian
word yoroka. They are ancestral beings and if they are not treated well,
they will become dangerous and much thought and effort is then necessary
to ward off their malevolence. |
Baal Marqod |
Other |
Syrian |
The Syrian god of healing (in the area of modern Beirut). Baal-Marqod
("lord of the dance") is identified by the Romans with their Jupiter. |
Liluri |
Other |
Syrian |
A Syrian mountain goddess, consort of the weather god Manuzi. Bulls were
sacrificed to both of them. |
Qadesh |
Other |
Syrian |
The Syrian goddess of sacred love and sensual pleasure. |
Rephaim |
Other |
Syrian |
Ancient Syrian and Phoenician chthonic beings, associated with fertility
and the underworld. |
Reshef |
Other |
Syrian |
An ancient Syrian name for the storm-god Hadad. |
Gramadeveta |
Other |
Tamil |
Local Tamil deities who protect the fields and the villagers against
sickness. A stone, painted red, indicates the place where such a deity
lives. |
Korrawi |
Other |
Tamil |
The Tamil goddess of war and victory. She was also worshipped as the
goddess of the jungle and was then referred to as Katukilal. Her son is
Murukan, the god of the hunt and war. In the jungles, many temples were
built in her honor. |
Murukan |
Other |
Tamil |
Murukan, or Muruku, is the popular Tamil god of the hunt and the war,
especially in the southern mountain regions of India. He is portrayed as a
beautiful young god riding on a peacock, and sometimes on an elephant, and
surrounded by nymphs. His attributes are a spear and a wreath of red
flowers. He is equal to the Singhalese Kataragama. |
Ancerika |
Other |
Tapirape |
The sun god of the Tapirape, Brazil. |
Curicaberis |
Other |
Tarascan |
A culture hero and sky and sun god of the Tarascan people (an Indian tribe
west of Mexico). He is the consort of the rain and fertility goddess
Cueravaperi. He gave his people laws and the calendar. |
Tucupacha |
Other |
Tarascan |
The Creator-god of Tarascan people of Central America |
Keyeme |
Other |
Taulipang |
Among the Taulipang in the north of South America, Keyene is a man who can
change himself into a water-snake by donning a multi-colored skin. |
Itukoviche |
Other |
Terena |
The remote high god who accounted for "the existence of the world." The
Terena, Brazil. |
Donar |
Other |
Teutonic |
The old German (Teutonic) god of thunder and war-like strength,
corresponding with the Norse god Thor. |
Irmin |
Other |
Teutonic |
The ancient Teutonic god of war. He was worshipped by the Herminones in
the shape of a pillar, called Irminsul ("the Column of the World") or
Hermensul, near Detmold. After each victory sacrifices were made to him.
During the Christianization, Charlemagne had these columns destroyed (in
772 CE). |
Nerthus |
Other |
Teutonic |
A Teutonic goddess of fecundity, peace and wealth, possibly hermaphroditic
in nature. She was worshipped in a sacred groove on an island in the North
Sea or the Baltic Sea (possible Sjaeland), but the center of her worship
was in Denmark. With the arrival of spring her image was carried about on
a sacred, covered wagon drawn by oxen among the neighboring tribes. The
name Nerthus is related to the Greek nerteroi ("gods of the underworld"),
and with Njord, the Norse god of the sea. Nerthus is believed to mingle
with humans. |
Khrut |
Other |
Thai |
In Thai mythology, the magical bird. It is often seen sculpted in temple
precincts. In Indonesian and Indian mythology it is called Garuda. |
Kinnara |
Other |
Thai |
A creature who is half-man, half-bird from Thai mythology. |
Machanu |
Other |
Thai |
In Thai mythology, the guardian of the lake which must be crossed to reach
the underworld. Machanu is half fish, half god. |
Patal |
Other |
Thai |
In Thai, Javanese, and Balinese cosmology, Patal is the netherworld where
the demons live. |
Phra Mae Kwan Im |
Other |
Thai |
The Thai name for the Chinese goddess of mercy Guan-yin. |
Phra Warun |
Other |
Thai |
The Thai guardian deity of the West. It is also a name for Varuna. |
San Phra Phum |
Other |
Thai |
"House of spirits." Spirit houses are found at every Thai house. They are
for the spirit of the land, to calm it and assure good blessing for the
owner. The size of the spirit house is directly related to the size of the
owner's house and must not be situated in the shadow of the main building.
In the morning, the spirit is provided with food and drinks by the owner
or the building attendant. The spirit house also contains small figurines
that represent the spirit's servants and dancers for his entertainment.
Little elephants provide the spirit with transportation. |
Witsanukam |
Other |
Thai |
In Thai mythology, the architect of the gods. The name is a combination of
Vishnu and Kama. |
Maenam |
Other |
Thailand |
The great holy river of central Thailand. It is ruled by 'The Mother of
the Waters', the goddess Djao Phraya. |
Bendis |
Other |
Thracian |
The Thracian goddess of the moon, as well as a mother goddess. She had
power of heaven and earth. The Greeks equated her with their goddess
Artemis. Her cult involved orgiastic debaucheries. |
Gebeleizis |
Other |
Thracian |
Gebeleizis is mentioned by Herodotus as the god of thunderstorms venerated
by the Thracians living in the Balkan. He has occasionally been identified
by Zalmoxis, but this is speculative. |
Volla |
Other |
Thuringian |
The Thuringian name for the golden-haired goddess of the fullness of the
earth. She is sister of Norse Freya or Frigg. She was sometimes called Vol
in other parts of Germany and is an early form of Abundia. Same as Fulla. |
Phurbu |
Other |
Tibet |
A nail used by lamas in Tibet to impale or drive off demons. Made of wood
(or occasionally of cardboard), it is triangular and wedge-shaped, varying
between eight to ten inches. |
Beg Tse |
Other |
Tibetan |
A god of war in Tibetan Bon-religion. He is covered in chain-mail from
head to toe and carries a sword. In Lamaism he is one of the divine
keepers of the Buddhistic teachings (Dharmapalas). He often appears as
lCam-srin. |
Kurukulla |
Other |
Tibetan |
A popular Tibetan goddess of love and wealth who enchants gods and humans
to serve her. In her hands she often holds the lotus flower, as well as a
bow and arrow. She is portrayed in the lotus position, sitting on the god
of love Kama and his partner. |
Srin Po |
Other |
Tibetan |
One of the eight classes of indigenous Tibetan country gods: ghouls and
vampires, flesh colored. |
Thab Lha |
Other |
Tibetan |
A Tibetan Bon hearth-god who punishes those who desecrate his fires. He is
portrayed as a red figure with a snake in his hand. |
Sipe Gyalmo |
Other |
Tibetan Bon |
The supreme goddess of the Tibetan Bon religion. Her name means "queen of
the world" and she has three heads and six arms. Her attributes are a
banner, sword, swastika, bowl, and trident. She rides on a red donkey. |
Koshpik |
Other |
Tierra del Fuego |
The name given by the Yaghan of Tierra del Fuego to the spirits of the
dead who fly away to their eternal kingdom in the east. |
Ches |
Other |
Timote |
The supreme god of the Timote who was associated with the high mountains
and the lakes (Venezuela). |
Agemem |
Other |
Tinguian |
Among the Tinguian of the Philippines, She is honored as co-Creatrix of
the sun, moon, earth and stars, along with her husband, Tadaklan. |
Tadaklan |
Other |
Tinguian |
In the mythology of the Tinguian, a people living in the mountains of
central Luzon (Philippine Islands), the god of thunder. He lives in the
sky with his dog Kimat, the lightning. |
Akewa |
Other |
Toba, Argentina |
The sun goddess of the Toba tribe of Argentina |
Debata |
Other |
Toba-Batak |
A deity of the Toba-Batak, who live near the Toba Lake in Sumatra. Debata
is also the term for divine power in general. |
Kaloaraik |
Other |
Tobas, Argentina |
A supreme evil being "who created the world as miserable and full of
suffering as it actually is in the minds of the Tobas." |
Anyiewo |
Other |
Togo |
The great snake of the Ewe people of Togo. |
Wurake |
Other |
Toraja |
The spirits in Toraja mythology (Sulawesi). |
Pue M Palaburu |
Other |
Torodja |
The supreme god of the Indonesian Torodja (Sulawesi). He represents law
and order on earth. |
Gurzil |
Other |
Tripolitania |
A bull-shaped god venerated in ancient Tripolitania (the northwestern part
of Libya). According to one tradition he was begot by Ammon on a cow. |
Amagandar |
Other |
Tungus |
In Tungus myth they are female spirits of protection. |
Hinkon |
Other |
Tungus |
The god of hunting and lord of the animals among the Tungus people (Yenisei
river, Siberia). |
Khovaki |
Other |
Tungus |
The creator of the world in the myths of the Tungus people of Siberia. |
Mayin |
Other |
Tungus |
A god of the Tungus people (Yenisei river, Siberia) whose name means
"giver of life." He sends the souls in the bodies of new-born children and
receives in his heaven the souls of those have died after living a good
life. |
Piai |
Other |
Tupi-Guarani |
The term for shamans among the Tupi-Guarani and Carib tribes of South
America. |
Tupan |
Other |
Tupi-Guarini |
An ancient thunder god of the Tupi-Guarini in Brazil. The missionaries in
Brazil and Paraguay used his name to denote the Christian God and is still
so used by the converted Indians and mestizos of the Amazon basin. The
word tupan has taken on the meaning of sacred. |
Ararat |
Other |
Turkey |
The ancient Anatolian (Turkey) creator goddess. |
Tengri |
Other |
Turkish/Mongolian |
The Turkish/Mongolian god of the sky and their creator deity. He is the
author of all things visible and invisible, the ruler of the world and
controller of destiny. |
Aqhat |
Other |
Ugaritic |
The Ugaritic champion of archery. The goddess of war Anath coveted his bow
of and offered to buy it from him. His price was immortality. She spurned
the offer, so she had him killed by an eagle. |
Athtar |
Other |
Ugaritic |
The Ugaritic god of irrigation, associated with the morning star. He was
placed on the vacant throne of Baal by the god El. |
Kathar |
Other |
Ugaritic |
The Ugaritic god of architects and artisans, as well as of weapon-makers.
He built the palace of Baal. |
Shahar |
Other |
Ugaritic |
The gracious god. This Ugaritic god is the brother of El and brother of
Shalim. |
Shapash |
Other |
Ugaritic |
The Ugaritic goddess of the sun. She was often called 'torch of the gods.' |
Nikkal |
Other |
Ugarits |
The moon-goddess of the Ugarits and later of the Phoenicians. She is
married to the moon-god Jarih, and their marriage is lyrically described
in the Ugaritic text Nikkal and the Kathirat. Her Sumerian equivalent is
the goddess Ningal. |
Torem |
Other |
Ugric |
The Ugric god of the sky, and a god of order and balance. |
Oxoce |
Other |
Umbandist |
The Umbandist god of the hunt. He belongs to the Orisha (a group of good
gods). |
Nha San |
Other |
Umbandistic |
The Umbandistic goddess of winds and storms. She belongs to the Orisha, a
classification of good gods. |
Gshed Ma |
Other |
Unknown |
Tormenting demons that accompany Yama-Raja, the Lord of Death. If a person
has lived a truly wicked life they will chase it down to be born in hell.
One of the punishments they deliver is pouring spoonfuls of molten metal
into a woman condemned for prostitution. |
Kemoit |
Other |
Unknown |
In the belief of the Meni' Kaien, a real ghost in Belet, the afterworld.
The soul leaves the dead body through the big toe and crosses the bridge
Balan Bacham to the afterworld. It becomes a kemoit when the bones of its
limbs are broken and the pupils of its eyes are turned inward by those who
have preceded it to the land of the dead. |
Lucian |
Other |
Unknown |
The personification of the follies and vices of the age. In that aspect,
Lucian was the main character in the Golden Ass of Apuleius (2nd century
CE). |
Si La |
Other |
Unknown |
A demoness who catches travellers in the wilderness and plays with them
like a cat with a mouse. Si'la may also tempt men with gold. She is known
to play the flute and make men dance until they die. |
Surma |
Other |
Unknown |
A monstrous animal that guarded Tuonela, the land of the dead. The monster
was perceived with ever-open jaws, ready to catch and devour humans with
frightening speed. Thus he became the personification of sudden death.
Surma was also seen as a guard who prevented the dead from leaving Tuonela,
rather than stopping the living from entering. |
Tuonela |
Other |
Unknown |
The land of the dead, ruled over by Tuoni and Tuonetar, aided by their
hideous, dwarf-like daughters Lovitar, Kipu-Tyttö, Kivutar, and Vammatar.
The entrance to Tuonela was guarded by Surma. |
Ufir |
Other |
Unknown |
The demon which possesses the secret knowledge of medicines. He knows the
human body which he dissects in the graveyards. |
Ukoback |
Other |
Unknown |
The demon of oil who is always burning. He is charged with the task of
replenishing the cauldrons in hell. |
Urian |
Other |
Unknown |
A demon who rules witches and copulates with them. |
Khaldi |
Other |
Urartian |
The Urartian (pre-Armenian) supreme god of heaven. He is one of the
non-Aryan triad, with Theispas and Artinis. The Urartians regarded
themselves as his children and called themselves Khaldians. |
Selardi |
Other |
Urartian |
An Urartian (Asia Minor) moon goddess. |
Caragabi |
Other |
Uré |
The god of the sky of the Uré, Cauca Valley (Columbia). Among the Choco he
is a culture hero/creator deity. |
Tagaro |
Other |
Vanuatu |
The volcano-god of Mount Manaro, Ambae Island, Vanuatu. It is believed
that human activities may anger him, leading to eruptions. Whenever the
volcano shows some activity, they will gather at the crater rim and the
chiefs will make a peace offering to Tagaro, such as a boar's tusk, a
traditional gesture of appeasement, and offer apologies. They are are sure
that the god will listen to them for the speak the language of the
volcano. |
Ravola |
Other |
Vazimba |
The goddess of tame animals and of cattle-raising. Her sister is the
goddess Rasoalao. She is a member of the Vazimba gods. |
Numi Torem |
Other |
Vogul |
The god of the heavens of the Voguls (Mansi) of Siberia. He dwells in the
highest heaven and lives in a house littered with gold and silver. He has
seven sons and many assistant spirits. |
Tumudurere |
Other |
Wagawaga |
The Wagawaga (New Guinea) god who lives with his wife and children in
Hiyoyoa, the land of the dead. He directs the spirits of the dead, telling
them where to make their gardens. |
Annecy |
Other |
West Indian |
The spider and trickster hero of many West Indian mythologies. He is known
as Anansi in most African myths. |
Srat |
Other |
West Slavs |
A domestic demon of the West Slavs which can fly and which appears as a
fiery figure. The name is Germanic in origin (cp.
Old High German scrato,
"forest spirit"). |
Nainuema |
Other |
Witoto |
In the mythology of the Witoto (a tribe north-west of the Amazon region) a
primeval creature who tied the world to a dream image of the earth, and
then trampled the earth so it stayed connected. After that he spat on it
so the woods could grow. |
Huisiniamui |
Other |
Witotoan |
A solar deity and sky god, a god of vegetation, but also he is associated
with headhunting and cannibalism. |
Jakuí |
Other |
Xingu |
A very important spirit of the Xingu of Brazil. Jakuí is said to live in a
village at the bottom of rivers and streams. Not only does he manifest
himself in ritual flutes, but is rather the flute itself. |
Tatu Karaia |
Other |
Xingu |
A legendary race of people who were discovered by ancient Xingu explorers.
They found the underground homes of the Tatu-Karaiá by following the
columns of smoke that rose from their fires. When they emerged from the
earth, the Xingu killed all of them. |
Abaasy |
Other |
Yakut |
In the mythology of the Yakut tribe, the Abaasy are the inhabitants of the
underworld. They have teeth of iron and travel in packs of seven. |
Tangara |
Other |
Yakut |
The Yakut (Siberian) sky-god. He is the equivalent of Tangere, who is
worshipped in the Altai Mountains. |
Ai Tojon |
Other |
Yakut (Siberia) |
The Yakut (Siberia) creator of light. He is conceived as a double-headed
eagle perched atop the world tree. |
Jetaita |
Other |
Yamana |
An earth-spirit who is feared by the Yamana of Tierra del Fuego. He is
believed to be present during initiation ceremonies in the cult-house,
represented by a man painted red and white. |
Yalafath |
Other |
Yap |
The creator deity of Yap, and island in the Carolines, Micronesia. He is a
kind and benevolent but indolent deity. He is associated with the
albatross. |
Kuma |
Other |
Yaruro, Venezuela |
The moon goddess, creator of all things, assisted by her brother Puana
(the water snake) and Itciai (the jaguar). She is goddess of the
afterworld of happiness where she receives the dead and where they receive
all good things. She is the mother of Hatchawa. |
Abathur |
Persian |
Iranian |
In old-Iranian mythology, a creature that acts as the judge of the dead.
His name means something like 'he with the scales'. He weighs the souls of
the departed and/or their deeds and determines accordingly if they are to
be send to heaven or to the underworld. |
Allatum |
Persian |
Iranian |
The goddess of the underworld in early Iranian mythology. She is believed
to be of Mesopotamian origin (Ellat). |
Azi Dahaka |
Persian |
Iranian |
A storm demon from Iranian mythology. He steals cattle and brings harm to
humans. It is a snake-like monster with three heads and six eyes who also
personifies the Babylonian oppression of Iran. The monster will be
captured by the warrior god Thraetaona and placed on the mountain top
Dermawend. In a final revival of evil, it will escape its prison, but at
the end of time (fraso-kereti) it will die in the river of fire Ayohsust. |
Drug |
Persian |
Iranian |
An ancient Iranian female demon, the representation of the lie. Together
with horny men she causes much evil. She is the eternal opponent of Asha
vahishta. |
Indar |
Persian |
Iranian |
The old Iranian god of warfare, courage and bravery. The Indian Indra. |
Izha |
Persian |
Iranian |
"Offering". The Indo-Iranian goddess of the sacrifice. |
Mithra |
Persian |
Iranian |
An old-Iranian god of light, contracts and friendship. He also maintains
the cosmic order. |
Yazata |
Persian |
Iranian |
The Old Iranian designation for 'god', next to Baga. In Zoroastrianism the
Yazatas are the deities to whom the hymns in the Zend-Avesta are
addressed. They are also the guardians of the celestial bodies and the
messengers of Ahura Mazda. The chief Yazata is Mithra and some of the
others include Daena, Mah, Rashnu, Tistrya, and Zam. |
Burijas |
Persian |
Kassite |
A war god of the Iranian Kassites. He conquered Babylonia in the 6th
century BCE. Also known as Burigas. |
Aesma Daeva |
Persian |
Persian |
"Fury". One of the Daevas, Aesma Daeva ("madness") is the demon of lust
and anger, wrath and revenge. His wrath is mainly directed towards the
cow. He is the personification of violence, a lover of conflict and war. |
Agas |
Persian |
Persian |
A Persian demoness of illness, one of the Drugs. She personifies evil that
is perceived or performed by the eye (her name means "evil eye"). |
Ahriman |
Persian |
Persian |
Alternative name of Angra Mainyu, the personified principle of darkness. |
Ahurani |
Persian |
Persian |
Ahurani is a water goddess from ancient Persian mythology. She watches
over rainfall as well as standing water. She was invoked for health,
healing, prosperity, and growth. |
Airyaman |
Persian |
Persian |
The Persian god of friendship and healing. A philosophical concept
personified as a god. |
Amashaspan |
Persian |
Persian |
"Holy, immortal" in Persian mythology. |
Anahita |
Persian |
Persian |
The ancient Persian water goddess, fertility goddess, and patroness of
women, as well as a goddess of war. Her |
Apaosa |
Persian |
Persian |
Apaosa (Apa-urta) is a demon who brings drought and aridity. He rides on a
black, bald horse. Eventually he was defeated by the god Tistrya. He is
equal to the Indian evil spirit Vritra. |
Arishtat |
Persian |
Persian |
The Persian god of honesty. |
Arsaces |
Persian |
Persian |
The mythical divine ancestor of the Persian, according to Parthian myth.
He is shown in effigy with a bow and arrows. |
Asman |
Persian |
Persian |
A Persian sky-god. |
Asto Vidatu |
Persian |
Persian |
The Persian demon of death whom no human escapes. Together with Aesma
Daeva he chases and tries to catch the souls of the deceased with a noose
when they rise to heaven. |
Atar |
Persian |
Persian |
The Persian god of all fire and of purity, son of Ahura Mazda. |
Baga |
Persian |
Persian |
A Persian god of prosperity and wealth, and the god of the ruling House
between 141 BCE and 224 CE. Baga is also the name for god, derived from
the Sanskrit bhaga, meaning "giver". |
Bahram |
Persian |
Persian |
The Persian god of the planets and victory. He is the assistant of Sraosa,
and helps him when Sraosa rises the soul of the deceased from the body.
Bahram is sometimes identified with the god Verethragna. |
Daena |
Persian |
Persian |
The goddess who personifies religion in Persian mythology. Her name means
"that which was revealed". Daena is considered to be the daughter of Ahura
Mazda and Armaiti. She is one of the Yazatas. |
Daevas |
Persian |
Persian |
In ancient Persian mythology they are demons who cause plagues and
diseases and who fight every form of religion. They are the male servants
(or followers) of Angra Mainyu, also known as Ahriman. The female servants
are called the Drugs. ogether they fight Ahuru Mazda (Ormazd) and his
Amesha Spentas. |
Dahaka |
Persian |
Persian |
An ancient Persian god of death and demon of deceit and mendacity. He
loves destroying life. Dahaka is usually depicted with three heads, while
scorpions and lizards crawl all over his body. |
Dahhak |
Persian |
Persian |
An evil demon in Persian mythology. |
Dev |
Persian |
Persian |
In Persian mythology, a demon of enormous power, a ruthless and immoral
god of war. |
Drvaspa |
Persian |
Persian |
The ancient Persian goddess who protects cattle, children, and friendship.
The fourteenth day of the month is dedicated to her. |
Frashegird |
Persian |
Persian |
Making wonderful." In Persian mythology, restoring to goodness: the dead
will be restored to life at the end of time by Astvat-Ereta. |
Fravashis |
Persian |
Persian |
In ancient Persian (Zoroastrian) religion, the Fravashis (singular:
Fravartin) are guardian angels or protecting spirits. They guide the souls
of the deceased to heaven. |
Gandarewa |
Persian |
Persian |
A Persian water-demon who continually tries to devour the good things of
creation. Eventually he will be defeated by the hero Keresaspa. |
Haurvatat |
Persian |
Persian |
Haurvatat ("wholeness") is one of the seven Amesha Spentas. She is the
personification of perfection and is associated with life after death. She
brings prosperity and health. The third month is dedicated to her. Her
eternal opponent is the archdemon of hunger, Tawrich. Later pronounced
Hordad. |
Hvar |
Persian |
Persian |
A Persian sun-god. He belongs to the Yazatas, a group of good spirits. |
Jeh |
Persian |
Persian |
The whore'. In Persian mythology, she is responsible for the death of the
first man Gayomart because at her instigation, Ahriman poisoned him. |
Mah |
Persian |
Persian |
An ancient Persian god of the moon, one of the Yazatas. He is associated
with the cow, which plays an important part in old-Iranian mythology, and
presides over time and tide. He is mentioned as an assistant of Vohu Manah.
The seventh day of the month is dedicated to Mah. |
Mashyane |
Persian |
Persian |
The mother, in Persian mythos, of the human race, who with her husband
Mashye abandoned the teachings of Ahura Mazda, cleaving instead to Ahriman,
for which crime they were banished to eternal punishment in hell. |
Menog |
Persian |
Persian |
Old persian for Spirit, mind, holy spirit. |
Nairyosangha |
Persian |
Persian |
The god of fire and messenger between gods and men in Persian mythology.
He is associated with Atar in the Avesta. |
Nanghaithya |
Persian |
Persian |
One of the Daevas, and archfiend. Nanghaithya is the personification of
discontentment. Her eternal opponent is Armaiti. |
Neriosang |
Persian |
Persian |
Messenger-god in ancient Persia. |
Peris |
Persian |
Persian |
Persian spirits of great beauty who guide mortals on their way to the Land
of the Blessed. They also battle the Daevas. |
Rapithwin |
Persian |
Persian |
The ancient Persian god of midday, the protecting deity of the south and
of summer. |
Rashnu |
Persian |
Persian |
The Persian divine angel of justice and last judgement and the
personification of righteousness. Along with Mithra and Sraosa he judges
the souls of the dead. Rashnu guards the Chinvat bridge leading to heaven.
He carries the golden scales with which he weighs the souls at Judgement.
Rashnu is one of the Yazatas. |
Simurgh |
Persian |
Persian |
In Persian legend Simurgh is a gigantic, winged monster in the shape of a
bird; a kind of peacock with the head of a dog and the claws of a lion.
Its natural habitat is a place with plenty of water. According to legend,
the creature is so old that it has seen the world destroyed three times
over. In all that time, Simurgh has learned so much that it is thought to
possess the knowledge of all ages. |
Spenta Mainyu |
Persian |
Persian |
In ancient Persian mythology, Spenta Mainyu ("holy spirit") is the god of
life and the personification of the good and the light. He is the twin
brother of Angra Mainyu (Ahriman), the god of darkness, with whom he
fights an eternal battle. |
Srosh |
Persian |
Persian |
In Middle Persian myths the messenger of the gods. He was sent down from
heaven to announce to a king that his last hour had struck. |
Tawrich |
Persian |
Persian |
Tawrich is the personification of hunger. She belongs to the Daevas, a
group of demons. Her eternal opponent is Haurvatat. |
Tushnamatay |
Persian |
Persian |
The Persian goddess of meditation, mother of thought. |
Vanant |
Persian |
Persian |
In Persian mythology, one of the four leaders of the stars which fight for
Ahura Mazda; the guardian star of the west who conquers evil. |
Vata |
Persian |
Persian |
The ancient Persian god of the wind and one of the Yazatas. The twentieth
day of the month is dedicated to him. |
Verethragna |
Persian |
Persian |
The Persian god of victory and the personification of aggressive triumph.
God of Vrahran Fire, the most sacred of all fires. It is a combination of
16 fires, most of which belong to those in the metal-working trades. He
punishes the evil done by man and demon. Verethragna appears in many
shapes: bear, bird of prey, bull, camel, youth, warrior with a golden
sword, wind, etc. His appearance as a bird and bear were especially
popular. The twentieth day of the month is dedicated to him. |
Vohu Manah |
Persian |
Persian |
Vohu Manah ("good sense") is one of the Amesha Spentas, and the
personification of wisdom. He is the protector of the animal world and is
on earth represented by beneficial animals, especially the cow. He takes
the souls of the just to Paradise. The eleventh month is dedicated to him.
His eternal opponent is the archdemon Aka Manah. |
Zam Armatay |
Persian |
Persian |
The Persian goddess of the earth. |
Zarich |
Persian |
Persian |
Zarich is one of the female members of the Daevas and the personification
of ageing. Her eternal opponent is Ameretat. |
Zurvan |
Persian |
Persian |
The primordial god in Persian religion, and the god of infinite time and
space. Zurvan is the father of the good god Ahura Mazda and the evil god
Angra Mainyu. |
Akhtya |
Persian |
Zoroastrianism |
In Zoroastrianism, the chief of the yatus or sorcerers. |
Bushyasta |
Persian |
Zoroastrianism |
In Zoroastrian mythology, the yellow demon of lethargy and sloth. He is
the evil genius which causes men to oversleep and to neglect their
religious duties. |
Vouruskasha |
Persian |
Zoroastrianism |
The world ocean in Zoroastrian cosmology; it is also the sea deity. Also,
the heavenly lake whose waters supply the world and in the middle of which
grows the Tree of Life. |
Zarathustra |
Persian |
Zoroastrianism |
The traditional founder and prophet of Zoroastrianism, the dualistic
religion of ancient Persia based upon the struggles between the good and
evil principles represented by Ahura Mazda and Ahriman. Likely,
Zarathustra was a religious leader who reorganized and reconstituted an
older faith. The Zend-Avesta, the sacred writings of the Zoroastrian
religion, is purposed to be a collection of his writings. He is also
referred to as Zoroaster, which is Greek rendering of his name. |
Ndengei |
Polynesian |
Fiji |
The serpentine creator god of Fiji. |
Lewalevu |
Polynesian |
Fijian |
A Fijian goddess. |
Lingadua |
Polynesian |
Fijian |
The one-armed Fijian god of the drums. The drum of the king is highly
valued in Fijian mythology. If the proper sacrifices are not offered to
Lingadua he will punish the king by taking away the voice of his royal
drum. Drums were struck to announce war. |
Murimuria |
Polynesian |
Fijian |
In Fijian mythology, Murimuria is a sort of Purgatory. Here the souls
receive either rewards or punishment. |
Nabangatai |
Polynesian |
Fijian |
The village of souls in the Fijian Land of the Dead. |
Samulayo |
Polynesian |
Fijian |
The Fijian god of war and death in battle. |
Auriaria |
Polynesian |
Gilbertese |
In Gilbertese myth, a great chief, red-skinned and of a giant's stature.
He fell in love with beautiful, red-skinned maiden called Nei Tituaabine,
who, after death, became a vegetation goddess. |
Menehune |
Polynesian |
Hawaii |
In Hawaii, it is the mischievous Menehune who are said to haunt the deep
forests or the mountains of Pu'ukapele ("Hills of Pele"). They come out
mostly at night to play tricks on people, or to serve them if they feel
that way inclined. |
Apu Hau |
Polynesian |
Hawaiian |
A Hawaiian storm-god, one of the many Polynesian deities connected with
storms and winds. His name means "Fierce Squall". |
Aumakua |
Polynesian |
Hawaiian |
Means "Ghost of your ancestors". Huna, the religion of early Hawaii,
taught that each person had two souls. |
Eleipaio |
Polynesian |
Hawaiian |
She is a goddess honored by the Hawaiians, particularly canoe builders. |
Haikili |
Polynesian |
Hawaiian |
The Hawaiian god of thunder. |
Kahoali |
Polynesian |
Hawaiian |
The god of sorcerers in Hawaiian mythology. Human sacrifices had to be
offered to him, such as eyeballs with kava (an intoxicating beverage
brewed from the roots of the kava plant). |
Kanaloa |
Polynesian |
Hawaiian |
The Hawaiian Creator, the equivalent of Tangaroa from Maori myths. He is
also the god of the underworld, who can teach magic. He appears in the
shape of an octopus. |
Kapua |
Polynesian |
Hawaiian |
The divine tricksters and mischief-makers of Hawaii. |
Kukailimoku |
Polynesian |
Hawaiian |
The Hawaiian god of war. He was depicted as a fierce-looking head covered
with blood-red feathers, wearing a helmet. The eyes are two gleaming
shells. |
Laka |
Polynesian |
Hawaiian |
Hawaiian goddess of plenty, the song and the dance, and especially of the
rainstorm. She is the patroness of the hula-dancers. |
Lono |
Polynesian |
Hawaiian |
The Hawaiian god of song and agriculture. |
Paliuli |
Polynesian |
Hawaiian |
The Hawaiian equivalent of the Garden of Eden, where the breadfruit
grows. |
Ukupanipo |
Polynesian |
Hawaiian |
The Hawaiian shark god who controls the fish by driving them to or from
the shores and thus supplying or depriving the people of their food. |
Avatea |
Polynesian |
Hervey |
The moon-god of the Hervey Islands (Cook Islands). |
Apu Ko Hai |
Polynesian |
Kanei |
The fish-god of the Kanei of the Polynesian island of Mangaia. |
Avaiki |
Polynesian |
Mangaia |
The Polynesian nether world, where the spirits live, who may ascend to
this world through a hole in the ground. |
Motoro |
Polynesian |
Mangaia |
The name of a god worshipped on Mangaia as the living god, Te-Io-Ora,
because he did not wish human sacrifices. On the other hand, if a someone
offended him, that person who have to die. |
Arohirohi |
Polynesian |
Maori |
The Maori goddess of mirages. |
Avaiki Tautau |
Polynesian |
Maori |
The ancient name of New Zealand in Maori myth. |
Ika Roa |
Polynesian |
Maori |
The Milky Way, the shining vehicle of the night-goddess Po. |
Maero |
Polynesian |
Maori |
According to the legends of the Maori of New Zealand, the fearsome Maero,
or wild people, were inclined to such hijinx as kidnapping folks and then
fighting them to the death. Hairy and unkempt, they had especially long,
bony fingers. After spearing their prey with their jagged nails they ate
it raw, and no doubt with relish. |
Maru |
Polynesian |
Maori |
The Polynesian/Maori war-god, co-Creator of man, and commander of the
heavenly hosts. He is the initiator of quarrels, envy and friction. He
possesses a huge fire in which the evil demons he has vanquished are
burnt. Maru taught the god Tawhaki weaponry and the art of chanting spells
to paralyze his enemies. When a great man, a war-leader, prays to Maru
with the right karakia (hymn) the god may be persuaded to join him in
battle and so decide the day in his favor. |
Matuku |
Polynesian |
Maori |
A Maori demi-god, the son of Tawhaki. He was a cannibal of harsh
character, brought up by one his sea-ancestors who taught him the art of
making and flying kites. |
Paoro |
Polynesian |
Maori |
The Maori goddess of echoes. She gave Marikoriko, the first woman, her
voice. |
Pitua |
Polynesian |
Maori |
A demon in Maori myth. |
Raka Maomao |
Polynesian |
Maori |
The Maori great god of the winds. On Hawaii called La'a Maomao and Fa'atiu
on Samoa. |
Rangi |
Polynesian |
Maori |
In the mythology of the Maori of New Zealand Rangi is the god of the sky.
He was also known as Raki by the Nghaitahu of the South Island of New
Zealand. |
Tawhaki |
Polynesian |
Maori |
The Polynesian (Maori) god of thunder and lightning, and also of good
health. He became an expert at building fine houses and plaiting decorated
floor mats. |
Toniwha |
Polynesian |
Maori |
A protective spirit in New Zealand that usually inhabits wells, rivers,
and ponds. It keeps the water fresh. It is often regarded as a benign
ancestral spirit. |
Tu Matauenga |
Polynesian |
Maori |
The Polynesian god of war (Maori, Maru; Hawaiian, Ku) and sometimes
mentioned as the first man. He quarreled with the gods, for such was his
nature. Similar to the Greek Cronus, he devoured his children. |
Apakura |
Polynesian |
Maori |
She is a goddess honored by the Maori of New Zealand. She is one of many
mythological mothers who shaped their sons for excellence and glory. |
Marama |
Polynesian |
Maori |
The moon goddess of the Maori of New Zealand. Her body is lost during
certain times, but it always returns in its full splendor after bathing in
the water of life. |
Uranga O Te Ra |
Polynesian |
Maori |
The Maori netherworld. It is ruled by the goddess Rohe, the former wife of
Maui. |
Whatu |
Polynesian |
Maori |
The Maori god of hail. |
Fisaga |
Polynesian |
Maui |
The name of the soft breeze, the only wind that was allowed to remain free
when Maui brought the winds under control. |
Kapuku |
Polynesian |
Polynesia |
In Polynesia, the secret art of reviving the dead. |
Kuku Lau |
Polynesian |
Polynesia |
The Polynesian goddess of mirages. She deludes voyagers by showing them
non-existing countries on the horizon. |
Ami Te Rangi |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
A Polynesian sky deity who 'angles' for mortal men on earth, pulling them
up in baskets to devour them. |
Ara Tiotio |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The Polynesian deity of the tornado. He is much feared by seafarers. |
Aremata Rorua |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
Long Wave". One of two Polynesian ocean demons greatly feared by mariners
because they are at the mercy of their immense power. The other one is
Aremata-Popoa. |
Atarapa |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
"Daybreak". The Polynesian goddesses of dawn. |
Atua |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
An atua is the spirit of an ancestor in Polynesia, who is revered like a
god. The family gods are also atua. They are not worshipped like gods, but
they do receive veneration. |
Atutuahi |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The Polynesian god of the heavens, the south star, who guided the
navigators on their voyages which lasted many months. He is addressed in
the hymns as the parent of the Moon and the Stars. |
Fakahotu |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
Another name for the Polynesian earth goddess Papa. |
Haronga |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
A Polynesian god, the father of sun and moon, and of Atarapa, "Daybreak". |
Hau Marangi |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The Polynesian deity of mist and fog. He is a son of the rain god Ua.
Another deity of mist is Kohu. |
Iao |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The Polynesian name for the Supreme Being. |
Kahukura |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
"Rainbow". The rainbow, an appearance of the god Rongo. |
Kalamainu |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
One of the two lizard women who keep the soul of the deceased imprisoned. |
Kanae |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
A Polynesian Ponaturi, a semi-spirit, who became a flying fish and was
thus able to escape Urutonga's revenge for the death of her husband. |
Lua O Milu |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The abode of the dead in the Polynesian Land of the Dead. Literally, "Milu's
Cave". |
Mahiki |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
In Polynesian cosmology, the path that leads to the Spirit Land,
Lua-o-Milu. The dead must walk along this path, either alone or in
procession, in a deep cavern, abyss or seaside cave. Others say that the
dead walk towards the rising sun. |
Mahiuki |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The ruler of the underworld. |
Makutu |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The Polynesian art of witchcraft, acquired by many years of study. The
candidate has to perform three tests before he may practice it. |
Malara |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The name given to Venus as the rising Morning Star in Polynesia. |
Mareikura |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
Heavenly nymphs in Polynesian cosmology, the attendants of Io the Creator.
They act as messengers to earth and guardians of souls. |
Mata Upola |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The Polynesian East Wind. It was the third of the winds to be brought
under control by Maui. |
Matagi |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
"Wind". It is related that Maui the sun-god brought all the winds under
his control. |
Matariki |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The seven gods of the Pleiades who supervise agriculture and guide the
Polynesian navigators. Literally, "Little Eyes". |
Merau |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The Polynesian goddess of death and the nether world. |
Namaka |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
A Polynesian sea-goddess. She is the sister of Pele. |
Paikea |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The Polynesian god of the sea-monsters. |
Poukai |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
A giant bird-god in Polynesian mythology who devoured people. |
Raka |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The Polynesian god of the winds. |
Rehua |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
A star-god, one of many Polynesian stars who are gods. |
Rimu |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
Another Polynesian god of the dead. |
Rua Tapu |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
"Forbidden Path". The murdered father of the wind-god Hau. |
Tahekeroa |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The Spirit Land in the heart of the earth. |
Tane Mahuta |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The Polynesian god of the forests, birds and insects. |
Tapairu |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
"Without equal". The name of a race of Polynesian nymphs who may arise
from limpid pools on moonlit nights to join dancers (see: Tau-Titi). The
Tapairu also inhabit the pool that leads to the underworld. The goddess of
death Miru sends them out to seduce men away from the earth. |
Te Rongo |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The Polynesian Creator. |
Tevake |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
In western Polynesia, a gannet, a seabird that roams freely and has become
a symbol of the spirits. |
Tikokura |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
"Storm-Wave". A Polynesian god of monstrous size and enormous power. He
has an angry temperament which, without provoking, easily flares up. |
Tinirau |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The Polynesian god of the ocean and the fish, also known as "the swallower".
He is a double-natured god who can appear as a terrifying fish (the
Shark-God), with its mouth wide open and ready to devour its prey, or as a
handsome young man. |
Turehu |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
A race of fair-haired fairies. |
Uira |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The Polynesian god of lightning, an ancestor of Tawhaki, out whose armpits
lightning flashes. Also called Kanapu. |
Ulupoka |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The Polynesian god of evil. |
Vatea |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
A Polynesian Creator god and first man, son of Varima. His Hawaiian
equivalent is Wakea. |
Waiora |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
The Polynesian goddess of health. Her name means "water of life". |
Wananga |
Polynesian |
Polynesian |
Secret knowledge in Polynesia. |
Afa |
Polynesian |
Samoan |
The Samoan storm-god. |
Atonga |
Polynesian |
Samoan |
A culture hero, half human and half spirit, from Samoan myth who invented
the canoe-building and the songs for the rowers. |
Savali |
Polynesian |
Samoan |
In Samoan myth, the messenger of the ocean-god and creator Tagaloa. |
Tagaloa |
Polynesian |
Samoan |
The Samoan ocean-god. |
Taonoui |
Polynesian |
Society Islanders |
In the mythology of the Society Islanders she is the mother of the stars
by the god Roua. |
Atanea |
Polynesian |
South Pacific |
A dawn goddess in some South Pacific islands, who created the seas when
she miscarried and filled the hollows of the earth with amniotic fluid |
Oro |
Polynesian |
Tahitian |
In Tahitian mythology, the god of war and peace. In peacetime his name was
Oro-i-Te-Tea-Moe ("Oro with the Spear Down), but in wartime he was known
as a killer of men. |
Pahuanui |
Polynesian |
Tahitian |
One of the demons of the sea in Tahitian cosmology. |
Pua Tu Tahi |
Polynesian |
Tahitian |
A dangerous demon living under the sea in Tahitian cosmology. His name
means 'Coral Rock Standing Alone'. |
Atea |
Polynesian |
Tahuata |
A Polynesian primeval god, who divided in two. So he became the god Rangi
and the goddess Papa; the parents of all the other gods. |
Tanaoa |
Polynesian |
Tahuata |
In the myths of Tahuata (the Marquesas), Tanaoa is the god of the primeval
darkness. |
Atanua |
Polynesian |
Tahuatan |
A Polynesian (Tahuatan) goddess of dawn. She creates the fire in the
morning. |
Atua Fafine |
Polynesian |
Tikopia |
A Polynesian (Tikopia) creator being. |
Bulotu |
Polynesian |
Tongan |
A Tongan paradise where the spirits of the dead live in eternal bliss.
Bulotu is a place with richly laden fruit trees and beautiful blossoms. |
Eitumatupua |
Polynesian |
Tongan |
The god of the Tongese, whose earth-born son, Ahoeitu, having climbed to
the heaven tree to meet his father, was torn apart by his jealous
siblings, and eaten. |
Hikuleo |
Polynesian |
Tongan |
In the mythology of the Tonga Islands, Hikuleo is the god of the
afterworld. |
Laufakanaa |
Polynesian |
Tongan |
In Tongan myth, the ruler of the winds. |
Tamapo |
Polynesian |
Tongan |
The Tongan god of the heavens. |
Tangaloa |
Polynesian |
Tongan |
The Tongan ocean-god. |
Areoi |
Polynesian |
Tuamotu |
In the mythology of the Tuamotu (Society) islands, a religious warrior
order first organized by the gods Ora-Tetefa and Uru-Tetefa, two brothers
living in heaven but who later settled on earth. The order recruited their
members, who had to remain celibate, from among the nobility. |
Kiho Tumu |
Polynesian |
Tuamotu |
The supreme god of the people of the Tuamotu archipelago southeast of
Tahiti. |
Angerona |
Roman |
Roman |
The protecting deity of ancient Rome and a goddess of secrecy and of the
winter solstice. Angerona is shown with a bandaged mouth with a finger to
her lips commanding silence. Her feast -- the Divalia or Angeronalia --
was celebrated on December 21. |
Angita |
Roman |
Roman |
An early Roman goddess of healing and witchcraft. |
Aurora |
Roman |
Roman |
Aurora is the Roman personification of the dawn. She is also the Roman
equivalent of the Greek goddess Eos. Aurora is seen as a lovely woman who
flies across the sky announcing the arrival of the sun. |
Averna |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman queen of the dead |
Bacchus |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman god of wine and intoxication, equated with the Greek Dionysus. |
Camenae |
Roman |
Roman |
The Camenae were originally ancient Roman goddesses of wells and springs.
Later they were identified with the Greek Muses. In Rome, they were
worshipped in a sacred forest at the Porta Capena. |
Ceres |
Roman |
Roman |
The old-Italian goddess of agriculture, grain, and the love a mother bears
for her child. The cult of Ceres was originally closely connected with
that of Tellus, the goddess earth. |
Chnubis |
Roman |
Roman |
A Roman syncretic god with Greek and Egyptian associations, portrayed as a
snake with a lion's head. |
Concordia |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman goddess of concord. |
Consus |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman god who presides over the storing of grain. |
Convector |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman god of bringing in the crops. |
Copia |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman goddess of wealth and plenty, who carried a cornucopia ("horn of
plenty"). |
Dea Tacita |
Roman |
Roman |
The 'silent goddess'. A Roman goddess of dead. |
Dei Lucrii |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman gods of profit. In time they were superceded by Mercury. |
Dirae |
Roman |
Roman |
Literally "the terrible"; a Latin name for the Furies. The name was mainly
used in poetry. |
Domiducus |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman god who guides a bride to her new home. |
Endovelicus |
Roman |
Roman |
Endovelicus is a native god of the pre-Roman communities (Iron Age) in
Lusitania (south west of Iberia) later adopted by the Romans themselves.
As a god he was concerned with the good health and welfare of the people.
There are hundreds of inscriptions of him in Portugal and Spain. |
Evander |
Roman |
Roman |
A minor Roman deity who was believed to have introduced the Greek
pantheon, laws, the alphabet, and other arts and skills in Rome. |
Felicitas |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman personification of success. Her temples were closely associated
with the person of the emperor and one was located on the Forum Romanum. |
Ferentina |
Roman |
Roman |
The goddess of the mountain city of Ferentinum in Latium. She was
protector of the Latin commonwealth. |
Furies |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman goddess of vengeance. They are equivalent to the Greek Erinyes.
The Furies, who are usually characterized as three sisters (Alecto,
Tisiphone, and Magaera) are the children of Gaia and Uranus. |
Hercules |
Roman |
Roman |
Hercules, the Latin equivalent of Heracles, was the son of Jupiter and
Alcmene. |
Herulus |
Roman |
Roman |
The son of the goddess Feronia. He had three lifes and was killed by
Evander. |
Indivia |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman goddess of jealousy. |
Inferi Dii |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman gods of the underworld. |
Janus |
Roman |
Roman |
Janus is the Roman god of gates and doors (ianua), beginnings and endings,
and hence represented with a double-faced head, each looking in opposite
directions. |
Jupiter |
Roman |
Roman |
Jupiter is the supreme god of the Roman pantheon, called dies pater,
"shining father". He is a god of light and sky, and protector of the state
and its laws. |
Juventas |
Roman |
Roman |
"Youth". An early Roman goddess of youth, equal to the Greek goddess Hebe.
Boys offered a coin to her when they wore a man's toga for the first
time. |
Lara |
Roman |
Roman |
Lara is a nymph who betrayed the love affair of Jupiter and Juturna. As
punishment, the chief god struck her with dumbness. She is regarded as the
mother of the Lares. |
Larvae |
Roman |
Roman |
The Larvae are Roman spirits of deceased family members. These malignant
spirits dwell throughout the house and frighten the inhabitants. |
Laverna |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman goddess of unlawfully obtained profits and therefore a goddess
of thieves, imposters and frauds. Her sanctuary in Rome was near the Porta
Lavernalis. |
Libitina |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman goddess of corpses and the funeral, her name often being a
synonym for death itself. In her temple all the necessary equipment for
burials were kept. Here, people could rent these attributes as well as
grave diggers. Later she was equated with Proserpina. |
Luna |
Roman |
Roman |
The personified goddess of the moon. |
Maia |
Roman |
Roman |
The goddess of whom the month of May is probably named after. Offerings
were made to her in this month. She is associated with Vulcan and
sometimes equated with Fauna and Ops. |
Maiesta |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman goddess of honor and reverence, and the wife of the god Vulcan.
Some sources say that the month of May is named after her. Others say she
is the goddess Maia. |
Mania |
Roman |
Roman |
Mania was known as the Roman goddess of the dead. She is also the guardian
of the underworld, together with Mantus. |
Matuta |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman goddess of the dawn. Later she was known as Mater Matuta, the
patroness of newborn babes, but also of the sea and harbors. |
Meditrina |
Roman |
Roman |
A Roman goddess of wine and health whose name means "healer". Her
festival, the Meditrinalia, was observed on October 11. |
Mercury |
Roman |
Roman |
Mercury is god of trade and profit, merchants and travelers, but
originally of the trade in corn. |
Minerva |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman goddess of wisdom, medicine, the arts, dyeing, science and
trade, but also of war. |
Murcia |
Roman |
Roman |
A Roman goddess of indistinct origin and of whom is little known. As
Murtia she was sometimes equated with Venus. She had a temple in the vale
between the Aventine and the Palatine Hill. |
Naenia |
Roman |
Roman |
Naenia is the Roman goddess of funerals. |
Nemestrinus |
Roman |
Roman |
A Roman god of the woods. |
Neptune |
Roman |
Roman |
The god of the sea among the Romans. He was not a very powerful god, and
little is known of his origin. |
Nerio |
Roman |
Roman |
A minor Roman goddess, and the consort of Mars. |
Obarator |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman god of ploughing. |
Orcus |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman god of death and the underworld, either a terrible god or a
gentle one. He is the god of oaths and punisher of perjurers. Orcus is
identical to the Greek Hades, both the god and his domains. |
Patalena |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman deity who protects the blossoms. |
Pax |
Roman |
Roman |
Pax ("peace") is the personified Roman goddess of peace, corresponding
with the Greek Eirene. |
Pluvius |
Roman |
Roman |
Literally, "sender of rain", an epithet of the Roman god Jupiter. During
long droughts the ancient Romans called upon Jupiter using that name. It
is also an epithet of the Hyades. |
Poena |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman goddess of punishment. |
Postverta |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman goddess of the past. |
Priapus |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman patron god of gardens, viniculture, sailors and fishermen. |
Proserpina |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman name for the Greek Persephone. The name is possibly derived from
proserpere ("to emerge"), meaning the growing of the grain. Gradually,
Libera was equated with her. |
Providentia |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman goddess of forethought. |
Remus |
Roman |
Roman |
The twin brother of Romulus. He was killed by his brother during a
quarrel. (Livius I, 5) |
Rhea Silvia |
Roman |
Roman |
The Vestal virgin who became, by Mars, the mother of the twins Romulus and
Remus. |
Romulus |
Roman |
Roman |
Romulus and Remus were the twin sons of Rhea Silvia and Mars. |
Runcina |
Roman |
Roman |
A Roman deity associated with reaping. |
Sabus |
Roman |
Roman |
The son of Sancus, the oldest king of the Sabines, who worshipped him as a
god. |
Salacia |
Roman |
Roman |
A Roman sea goddess. The god Neptune wanted to marry her but she ran off
and hid from him in the Atlantic ocean. Neptune sent a dolphin to look for
her and when the animal found her it brought her back to him. |
Sancus |
Roman |
Roman |
An ancient Roman deity who presides over oaths and good faith. |
Saturn |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman god of agriculture concerned with the sowing of the seeds. He is
regarded as the father of Jupiter, Ceres, Juno and many others. |
Securitas |
Roman |
Roman |
The personification of security, and its goddess. She was invoked to
ensure the stability of the Roman empire. |
Sol |
Roman |
Roman |
The personified Roman god of the sun, completely identical to the Greek
Helios. |
Somnus |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman god of sleep, a translation of the Greek Hypnos. |
Soranus |
Roman |
Roman |
Sabine sun-god who was venerated at Mount Soracte (north of Rome). His
priests were called the Hirpi Sorani ("wolfs of Soranus") who celebrated a
rite in which they walked barefoot on burning coals. |
Sors |
Roman |
Roman |
A Roman god of luck. |
Stata Mater |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman goddess who guards against fires, and was thus associated with
Vulcan. She was at times equated with Vesta. A statue of Stata Mater was
located on the Forum. |
Stator |
Roman |
Roman |
An alternative name of Jupiter as the god who halted retreat or flight
(stare - standing). |
Strenua |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman goddess of strength and vigor, of Sabine origin. She was
worshipped in Rome at the beginning of the new year. Her sanctuary was in
the Via Sacra. |
Summanus |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman god of nightly thunder (Jupiter is the god of thunder during
daytime). |
Talassio |
Roman |
Roman |
A Roman or Estruscan marital demon who was called upon when the bride was
taken to the house of the groom. |
Tellumo |
Roman |
Roman |
A Roman divinity who symbolizes the growth of nature. He is the masculine
counterpart of the goddess Tellus. |
Tempestes |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman goddesses of storms (tempests). |
Terminus |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman deity protecting the boundaries between the fields. Actually,
the stone that marked the border was thought to be a sacred object with
divine powers. |
Tiberinus |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman god of the river Tiber. When Aeneas and his Trojan exiles
arrived in Latium, the god assisted them. |
Trivia |
Roman |
Roman |
In Roman mythology, Trivia is the personified deity of crossroads, derived
from the Latin trivium ("meeting of three roads"). She was represented
with three faces, and sometimes identified with the Greek Hecate. |
Ultor |
Roman |
Roman |
A title given to Mars when, after defeating the murderers of Julius Caesar
at Philippi, Augustus built a temple to him in the Forum at Rome. |
Ulysses |
Roman |
Roman |
Ulysses, the Latin equivalent of the Greek Odysseus, was the king of
Ithaca, a Greek island. He was married to Penelope and they had a son
named Telemachus. |
Veiovis |
Roman |
Roman |
Veiovis (Vediovis) is one of the oldest of the Roman gods. He is a god of
healing, and was later associated with the Greek Asclepius. |
Venus |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman goddess of love and beauty, but originally a vegetation goddess
and patroness of gardens and vineyards. Later, under Greek influence, she
was equated with Aphrodite and assumed many of her aspects. |
Veritas |
Roman |
Roman |
Veritas ("truth") is the Roman goddess of truth. She is a daughter of
Saturn. |
Vertumnus |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman divinity of seasons, changes and ripening of plant life. He is
the patron of gardens and fruit trees. He has the power to change himself
into various forms, and used this to gain the favor of the goddess Pomona. |
Vica Pota |
Roman |
Roman |
An ancient Roman goddess of victory. She had a temple at the base of the
Velia, Rome |
Victoria |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman personification of Victory, worshipped as a goddess, especially
by triumphant generals returning from battle. |
Viduus |
Roman |
Roman |
Viduus ("divider") is the Roman deity who separates soul from the dead
body. |
Virtus |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman god of courage and military prowess. |
Vulcan |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman god of fire, especially destructive fire, and craftsmanship. His
forge is located beneath Mount Etna. |
Vulturnus |
Roman |
Roman |
The Roman god of the East Wind, equal to the Greek Eurus. |